About the Foundation The Chisholm Community Foundation (CCF), an affiliate of the Minnesota Community Foundation, is a permanent, philanthropic endowment for the enduring benefit of our community. It secures, manages and allocates investors’ gifts for charitable purposes in the Chisholm and Balkan area, working to improve the quality of life for local residents. We have awarded approximately $637,000 in grants to various organizations within our community. Our Foundation stands as a beacon among small community foundations in our state and we are extremely proud of our accomplishments.

The Chisholm Community Foundation’s mission is to be a steward of funds for innovative and creative projects that are responsive to community and economic development in the areas of social service, education, arts and culture, conservation and historic and environmental preservation.

Community Impact Some of the organizations that have benefitted from the CCF’s mission are the Chisholm Public Schools, City of Chisholm, Chisholm Beautification Association, Chisholm Police Department, Chisholm Blue Line Club and the Chisholm/Balkan Little League. Funds have been used to develop our Bridge of Peace which showcases flags from all 50 states as well as flags from around the world. The Lake Walk has been expanded and maintained for the citizens and tourists to enjoy throughout the seasons. The Doc Graham Field of Dreams became a reality with the help of the CCF. This new baseball field will allow for the high school, Little League and recreational softball teams to host tournaments again in Chisholm. Some of the grants awarded to the Chisholm Public Schools are: band uniforms and equipment, computer equipment and software, student testing systems, an auditorium lighting system, fitness center equipment, communications equipment and monitoring systems for buses, computerized food service, Smart Boards and new playground equipment.

The CCF has a 13 member volunteer board that is committed to raising the funds necessary to cover our annual operating costs, thus allowing all monies as contributed to go directly into the general fund as administered by the Foundation. We raise money by sponsoring an annual golf outing, annual investors’ dinner meeting, a Cinco de Mayo celebration and we serve beverages at the annual Minnesota Deer Hunters Banquet. Our newest fundraising event, the “Holiday Wine Tasting Festival”, is sponsored by Paul and Suzi Ruper, owners of Keyboard Liquor in Chisholm. Through their efforts, we raised just over $1,780.00, all earmarked to support the office operations account.

Partners We have 13 Corporate Partners who contribute $1,000 per year which goes into our operating fund. These community partners, whose support we greatly appreciate, are listed below: • Carol Tiburzi McDonald – Hibbing • City of Chisholm – Chisholm • E.H. Lawrence Co. Inc. – Chisholm • Fairview Range – Hibbing • Field of Screams – Chisholm • Mesabi Radial Tire Company – Hibbing • Minnesota Industries – Chisholm • Minnesota Power – Duluth • Minnesota Twist Drill, Inc. – Chisholm • NHS-Northstar Specialized Services – Chisholm • Rupp Funeral Home & Cremation Service – Chisholm • Sunny Hill Distributors, Inc. – Hibbing • Tom & Jerry’s/Valentini’s Supper Club - Chisholm

Our board is busy not only raising operational funds, but is also consistently beating the path to find new donors and communicating with current donors to upgrade their investments. It is the board’s intent to continually meet and exceed our investors’ expectations as we carry out the Chisholm Community Foundation’s mission.