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.