Our Team

Our staff help make GiveMN an engaging place for nonprofits and donors to connect.

Dana Nelson

Dana Nelson is the executive director of GiveMN. In her role, Dana helps Minnesota nonprofits of all sizes reach new and different audiences and enables donors to find, learn about, and contribute to local and national programs that support the causes in which they believe.

Before joining GiveMN, Dana was at Target Corporation for the past 6 years. She led Target's team member engagement strategy and national service initiatives, collaborating with organizations such as the Corporation for National and Community Service, Hands on Network and the Heart of America Foundation, among others.

Dana brings many years of nonprofit experience to GiveMN, which includes working with the Minneapolis Public Schools, serving as a program officer and leading development efforts for a start-up nonprofit organization.

Dana has a bachelor's degree in Spanish from Washington University. She is an active community volunteer with organizations such as Emerson Spanish Immersion Learning Center, Pillsbury House, Powderhorn Neighborhood Association and Centro Cultural Chicano.

She lives in Minneapolis with her husband, two sons and two Chihuahuas. In addition to playing with trucks and going to the park with her boys, she enjoys baking cupcakes for her neighbors and friends.

Dana Nelson
Executive Director, GiveMN.org
651-325-4240 phone
651-379-5340 fax
Info@givemn.org

Jeff Achen

Jeff Achen is the interactive media strategist for Minnesota Philanthropy Partners and its affiliate GiveMN. At GiveMN, Jeff manages the day-to-day operations, communication efforts and social media strategy. He serves as the primary voice for @givemn and administers GiveMN’s Facebook and YouTube pages. Jeff splits his time equally between GiveMN and Minnesota Philanthropy Partners, where he is part of the marketing and communication department responsible for video production, photography and social media strategy and execution.

Prior to joining the team, Jeff was a multimedia journalist and producer for six years. He has owned and operated his own videography and photography company since 2006. He brings considerable experience in video production to GiveMN and leads GiveMN’s video initiatives. Jeff also has considerable experience in leading technology training and consulting.

Jeff has worked in community newspapers and small market television news in Minnesota and North Dakota since 2003. He is a graduate of the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks where he earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in communication. He is a veteran of the U.S. Navy, 1993-97, where he was stationed on the USS Thomas S. Gates (CG-51) as a payroll clerk. He also served in the tiny Himalayan kingdom of Nepal as a Peace Corps Volunteer from 2002-03 teaching English in a remote hill village. Jeff is passionate about the role of digital media in communicating the messages, stories and the impact of nonprofit organizations to the greater community. He lives in Farmington with his wife Jennifer, daughters Kaitlyn & Avery and two playful cats.

Jeff Achen
Interactive Media Strategist, GiveMN.org
651-325-4216 phone
651-379-5316 fax
jeff [at] givemn [dot] org
Twitter: @givemn
Facebook: /giveMN

Sarah Richter

Sarah Richter is the senior associate of partnerships for GiveMN. Sarah manages GiveMN’s funding and nonprofit partnerships, which includes grantwriting and sponsorship development as well as nonprofit outreach and training.

Sarah joined the GiveMN team from Minnesota Community Foundation and The Saint Paul Foundation. In her five years with The Foundations, Sarah served as a Development Associate and Assistant managing the community initiative fundraising efforts as well as donor advised fund grantmaking and event planning. Prior to joining The Foundation team, Sarah assisted the United Methodist Camping and Retreat Ministries with their first-ever capital campaign and interned at Lutheran World Relief.

Sarah has a bachelor’s degree from St. Olaf College and an MBA from the University of St. Thomas. Sarah enjoys spending time with her husband, Doug, and baby, Anders, as well as walking and cooking fresh foods from her garden.

Sarah Richter
Senior Associate, Partnerships, GiveMN.org
651.325.4294
651.379.5394
sarah@givemn.org