Kari Aanestad

Kari Aanestad is vice president at the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits. In this role, Kari partners closely with the president & CEO to chart MCN’s strategic response to organizational and sector challenges and plays a critical role as counselor, advisor, and strategic thought-partner for the president. Kari shapes and implements the organization’s strategy by providing oversight of fundraising, sector research, Greater MN programs, special programs, operations, human resources, and financial management.

As a nonprofit fundraising professional with nearly a decade of experience, Kari also provides leadership to GrantAdvisor.org, a strategic initiative launched in partnership between MCN, California Association of Nonprofits, and Great Nonprofits. GrantAdvisor is a crowdsourced website led by nonprofits that’s like a “Wikipedia” of philanthropy. Grantseekers write reviews of foundations, helping their colleagues and giving honest feedback to strengthen philanthropy.