Minnesota Council of Nonprofits

Education: MCN strives to provide educational events, networking opportunities, and publications that center equity and respond to the expressed needs, interests, and experiences of individual organizations to support the growth, health, and future of the sector and its people. In 2023, MCN sponsored approximately 100 public events with over 5,950 total attendees. The majority of MCN's workshops were offered virtually in response to member choice; however, we increased the number of in-person conferences from one in 2022 to three in 2023. Our Annual Conference set a record registration for a Greater Minnesota host site with 672 total attendees gathering in Duluth over two days in September, a 9% increase from the last Greater Minnesota host site Rochester in 2019. Our Finance and Sustainability Conference remained virtual. Other paid and free events focused on a wide range of topics including endowments and financial management, equity and justice, human resources, mental health in the workplace, board governance and relationships, accountability, community-centric fundraising, communications for small shops, leadership, and more. In 2021, MCN introduced Pay What You Can (PWYC) registration for its Annual Conference to create broader access to this popular event. In 2022 we introduced PWYC for additional offerings, including Minnesota Grantmakers, Session Lineup, and the Finance and Sustainability Conference. In 2023 PWYC supported 275 people in participating in MCN's conferences and Minnesota Grantmakers event. In 2023, MCN continued its role as a researcher and publisher, releasing the annual 2022-23 Minnesota Nonprofit Economy Report, 2023 Current Conditions of Minnesota's Nonprofit Sector, Minnesota Grants Directory, and Nonprofit News, a newsletter providing information on sector trends and resources. Through its educational programming, MCN worked with hundreds of people from other nonprofits, capacity building groups, and interactive learning for Minnesota's nonprofit sector.

Membership: In 2023, 2,273 charitable organizations and 228 businesses contributed dues to support MCN's work. Nonprofit members receive discounts on publications, in-person and virtual workshops, and full-day conferences. Additionally, members can post job openings on MCN's highly trafficked job board at no cost. In 2023, MCN members posted 12,871 free staff, board, volunteer, and intern openings on MCN's job board. Through the use of free member publication vouchers, MCN nonprofit members requested and received 771 free copies of regularly updated publications, like the Minnesota Grants Directory, Minnesota Nonprofit Salary & Benefits Survey, Minnesota Nonprofit Legal Handbook, Handbook for Starting a Successful Nonprofit, and Principles and Practices for Nonprofit Excellence. MCN also capitalizes on the group purchasing power of its members to negotiate lower prices and better service on many products and services that nonprofits need, including banking, insurance, health plans, employee benefits, office supplies, payroll processing and more.

Public Policy and Civic Engagement: MCN builds the capacity of nonprofit leaders to be confident and competent voices on issues impacting their constituents and communities by providing them with workshops, briefings, and other informational resources. MCN's Minnesota Budget Project educated nonprofits, decision-makers, the media, and the public on budget, tax, and economic policy issues through a range of activities, including capacity-building activities that responded to partners' priorities. In 2023, MCN offered public policy training and information series attended by several hundred participants that included presentations on nonprofit advocacy, state budget processes, and implementing and understanding new state law, as well as conversations with elected and appointed officials.

Research: With the support of charitable contributions from foundations and corporations, MCN studies nonprofit sector trends and shares this research with members, other nonprofits, decision-makers, and the media. In 2023, MCN shared information widely on Minnesota's nonprofit sector, demonstrating the economic impact of nonprofits on the state's economy through two published research reports, public presentations, media citations, and more. MCN also conducts nonpartisan research and analysis on tax, budget, and economic issues through the Minnesota Budget Project. The Minnesota Budget Project's analysis particularly focused on policy choices and economic trends that impact low- and moderate-income Minnesotans and communities of color, budget and policy choices that impact access to prosperity and economic opportunity in Minnesota, the contributions of Minnesota's immigrants to the economy and local communities, and progress toward a fair and sustainable tax system.

Advocacy: MCN undertakes advocacy efforts to strengthen the nonprofit sector and its ability to serve communities throughout Minnesota. MCN's major advocacy efforts in 2023 included: reforms to state grantmaking, financial oversight of state grants to nonprofits, capital investment policies, and a state paid family and medical leave program. MCN's Minnesota Budget Project identifies and advances public policies to make Minnesota a place where all can thrive, especially in the areas of state tax, budget, and economic policy. The Minnesota Budget Project's 2023 advocacy priorities called for bold action to address long-standing disparities and areas of disinvestment, and build a stronger, more equitable future in which all Minnesotans are healthy, safe, and economically secure. This included advocating for new and expanded tax credits that boost the incomes of lower-income Minnesotans, increasing access to affordable health care and child care, and sustainable revenues to fund public investments.

AmeriCorps VISTA: In 2023, MCN was awarded a grant from the Corporation for National and Community Service to build the capacity of nonprofits serving or led by BIPOC, immigrant, and refugee communities to overcome poverty. The grant allowed MCN to place up to 17 full-time AmeriCorps VISTA members at nonprofit host sites, providing the resources, capacity, and connections for these community-based organizations to ensure operational sustainability and grow their community impact.