Home | Register | Statewide Session | Greater MN Session | Twin Cities Session
Two days. Three funder-focused sessions. One free 2026 Minnesota Grants Directory. Discover Minnesota’s most active private, community, and corporate funders.
Day 2: Twin Cities Funders
Thursday, January 6, 2026 | 1:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m., Virtual
Join Metro-based nonprofit development experts to zero in on Minnesota funders with an interest in concentrating their giving within the 7-county Metro area.
Gain insight into funders with unspoken and spoken content-area preferences, off-the-beaten-path funders, fresh and future changes to application processes, who is continuing a commitment to funding general operating (yes!), and more.
You’ll leave with new knowledge and prospects for dollars intended for the Twin Cities Metro.
2026 Minnesota Grantmakers:
January 6 & 8, Virtual
Registration gives you access to all three sessions; attend which are right for your organization.
STATEWIDE FUNDERS
Tuesday, January 6, 2026
9 a.m. – 12 p.m., Virtual
GREATER MN FUNDERS
Thursday, January 8, 2026
9 a.m. – 12 p.m., Virtual
TWIN CITIES FUNDERS
Thursday, January 8, 2026
1:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m., Virtual
Confirmed Panelists:
- Steve Boland: Director of Next in Nonprofits, Steve is a nonprofit veteran with over 30 years of experience helping charities grow with new ideas in fundraising and communications, and has presented over 100 learning sessions on topics such as crowdfunding, fundraising infrastructure, and social media strategy for nonprofits.
- Georgina Chinchilla Gonzalez: Executive Director at ComMUSICation, Georgina is a mission-driven and collaborative leader who’s passionate about working with organizations that help youth and families thrive. Her recent work experience includes fundraising roles at Think Small and the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra, as well as roles in youth development through Girl Scouts of MN and WI River Valleys and as a Peace Corps volunteer.
- Emily Essert, PhD: Director of Development at Open Arms Minnesota, Emily is a skilled and versatile writer, project manager, and relationship builder who enjoys fostering vibrant and inclusive communities through nonprofit development.
- Aileen Sánchez: Chief Development Officer at The Funders Network, Aileen’s experience includes designing and implementing philanthropic initiatives, robust donor engagement strategies, and comprehensive development programs that mobilize resources and empower community-led solutions. Aileen is a CFRE-certified fundraiser and has been recognized through fellowships from Oberlin College, LISC Twin Cities, and Hispanics in Philanthropy.
- Lori-Anne Williams: Director of Major and Planned Giving at Catholic Charities Twin Cities, Lori-Anne leads donor engagement, manages portfolios for major donors, and supervises a team focused on major gifts and estate planning. She has over 25 years in fundraising with experience in corporate, foundation, and government grants, plus freelance writing for non-profits, holding degrees from USC and the U of M.
*Registration gives you access to all three funder sessions: Statewide, Greater Minnesota, and Twin Cities; attend the sessions right for your organization. Registrants also receive a free digital copy of MCN’s 2026 Grants Directory and a recording of all three sessions. (Session recordings are available for 30 days.)*