Initiative Quarterly Magazine

The Magazine IQ Team Current Issue Archives

October 2010

heartdrive

The Nonprofit Beat in Central Minnesota

If you're a business or community leader, chances are that you're involved with one or more nonprofit organizations. Nonprofits are the heart of the community, but they are also behind-the-scenes improvisers, organizers, big thinkers, problem-solvers, and economic drivers.

How are nonprofits inventing unusual ways of dealing with the usual issues? Will the recession and other trends change the timeless formula for community caring?

This issue of IQ shines a new light on central Minnesota's inspiring, evolving charities.

> President's Note

		Heart Drive Nonprofits Provide the Backup When Other Systems Crash Ashley and Vinny Dones were eager to get pregnant after they married in March 2009. But the Florida newlyweds' happy news the following November came at an extremely stressful and uncertain time: Ashley was out of work and businesses were closing across the region.

		Innovation Eight Inventions, Breakthroughs and Workarounds to Central Minnesota's Toughest Nonprofit Challenges Innovative solutions aren’t solely the province of business or industry. Nor are they cooked up by Einstein-level geniuses.

		Storm Chasers Nonprofits Adapt to the Changing Economic Climate A 2010 F4 tornado or a tumultuous economic firestorm. Examining the caseload at the Otter Tail-Wadena Community Action Council, it’s hard to tell which event made the greatest impact.

		Growing Upside Foundation Programs Strengthen Nonprofits from the Inside Out When a foundation aims to strengthen an entire region, there are at least two strategies to consider.

		The New Face of Volunteerism Charities Channel the Passions of Unpaid Leaders When Laurie Hoenig decided to volunteer at the Women’s Center of Mid-Minnesota—a shelter and parental visitation dropoff center in Brainerd—she wasn’t interested in stuffing envelopes.

		Nonprofit Mythology Businesses & Nonprofit Leaders Bear Separate but Equal Responsibilities

		Crystal Ball Are More Nonprofit Mergers & Dissolutions in Minnesota's Future?

		Secondhand Success Thrift Stores Help Charities Put the Profit Back in Nonprofit

		Faith Forward Minnesota's Faith-Based Nonprofits Gain Higher Power

		Brainiac An IQ & A with Charlotte Johnson

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