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    Six leading minneapolis foundations announce state-wide effort to reform public services. Foundations believe that Minnesotans are united around three key principles for redesigning public services. The foundations' collective efforts will be directed at advancing core principles that can serve as the framework for successful reform.

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    Six leading minneapolis foundations announce state-wide effort to reform public services. Foundations believe that Minnesotans are united around three key principles for redesigning public services. The foundations' collective efforts will be directed at advancing core principles that can serve as the framework for successful reform.

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    109 views3 pages

    Beyondthe Bottom Line Release

    Uploaded by

    Lars Leafblad
    Six leading minneapolis foundations announce state-wide effort to reform public services. Foundations believe that Minnesotans are united around three key principles for redesigning public services. The foundations' collective efforts will be directed at advancing core principles that can serve as the framework for successful reform.

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    of 3

    NEWS RELEASE

    Contact: Stephanie Devitt


    March 7, 2011 Himle Horner, Inc.
    (952) 897-8214
    stephaniedevitt@himlehorner.com

    LEADING MINNESOTA FOUNDATIONS ANNOUNCE STATEWIDE


    STRATEGY TO ENGAGE MINNESOTANS IN PUBLIC SERVICE REFORM
    Effort Includes Ideas to Spark Government Innovation

    Saint Paul, Minn. (March 7, 2011) – Six leading Minnesota foundations have launched a new effort to support
    Minnesota’s decision makers in advancing strategies to reform public services. The foundations’ collective efforts
    will be directed at advancing core principles that can serve as the framework for successful reform, supporting
    public and private efforts to evaluate and promote reform proposals and better engaging Minnesotans in the
    solutions that will address our state’s long-term, structural budget challenges.

    “People of all political beliefs expect great public services in Minnesota – from good roads to well-educated
    children and safer neighborhoods,” explained Sandy Vargas, President and CEO of The Minneapolis Foundation.
    “But yesterday’s strategies aren’t realistic given today’s budget challenges. We want Minnesotans to Imagine
    Another Way and rethink how we provide public services to get the best possible outcomes for our state.”

    “We know from conversations with Minnesotans, public opinion research and from watching the legislative
    discussion that Minnesotans want our legislators to find another way to solving our state’s budget challenges,”
    said Peter Hutchinson, President and CEO of Bush Foundation. “The polarized debate of raising taxes versus
    cutting services misses the point – there are better ways to deliver the services we have with better results. If we
    aren’t going to seriously consider those options this year, when will we?”

    Through their community work, the six foundations – Blandin Foundation, Bush Foundation, The Minneapolis
    Foundation, Minnesota Community Foundation, Northwest Area Foundation, and The Saint Paul Foundation –
    believe that Minnesotans are united around three key principles for redesigning Minnesota’ public services:
     Make Strategic Choices. Prioritization is a critical element of government redesign, from assessing the
    highest public needs to evaluating the best way of providing services.
     Innovate. Governments need to think long-term with their budget challenges, and to be willing to toss out
    the old rules and try new program structures and delivery systems.
     Deliver Better Outcomes. Paying for processes and continuing with the current results won’t be enough.
    Minnesotans want their government to get the greatest possible outcome for every tax dollar they spend.

    – MORE –
    As part of this effort, these foundations commissioned Public Strategies Group (PSG), a government-innovation
    think tank, to develop a series of policy and systems change ideas that could serve as examples of positive
    government reform. The resulting report, titled Beyond the Bottom Line, offers 16 ideas that have potential to save
    the state more than $20 billion over the coming biennia while improving the outcomes Minnesotans can expect
    from public services. The report builds on a previous report, titled Minnesota’s Bottom Line, which was released in
    2009. The Beyond the Bottom Line report can be found at www.CitiZing.org/bottomline.

    “We do not expect Beyond the Bottom Line to become the sole blueprint for this year’s work to address our state’s
    deficit. Instead, it’s intended to demonstrate that Minnesota can address our structural deficit in a thoughtful way
    that continues to generate real value for taxpayer dollars,” noted Jim Hoolihan, President and CEO of Blandin
    Foundation. “This report highlights the real potential of imagining new ways to address Minnesota’s budget
    challenges.”

    Citizens are encouraged to offer their own ideas for public service reform, as well. The Citizens League hosts
    CitiZing!, an interactive website to foster citizen involvement in this and other public policy initiatives. This website
    will serve as a “virtual community” for fostering these conversations among people statewide.

    “We have already been engaged in discussions with legislative leaders, Governor’s Dayton’s staff and key
    community leaders – all have indicated that they are committed to redesign strategies,” said Carleen Rhodes,
    President and CEO of Minnesota Community Foundation and The Saint Paul Foundation. “We hope our role is to
    support them – offer new ideas, test their strategies and engage the public in this critical discussion.”

    “We understand that Minnesota’s budget challenges did not develop over one month or even one year, and
    effective solutions will take time,” said Kevin Walker, President and CEO of the Northwest Area Foundation. “But
    we are convinced that the best solutions will come when the public and their elected leaders start from a core set
    of principles that will unite us, and have the broadest range of options in front of them. Our foundations are ready
    to help Minnesota Imagine Another Way.”

    Blandin Foundation, Minnesota’s largest rural-based private foundation is located in Grand Rapids, Minn. Its
    mission is to strengthen rural communities, particularly in the Grand Rapids Area, through grants, leadership
    development programs and public policy initiatives.

    The Bush Foundation was established in 1953 by 3M executive Archibald Bush and his wife, Edyth. The
    Foundation strives to be a catalyst to shape vibrant communities in Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota and
    the 23 Native nations that share the same geography, by investing in courageous and effective leadership that
    significantly strengthens and improves the well-being of people in these three states.

    The Minneapolis Foundation helps people support their community and causes they care about, and invests in
    efforts to ensure every person in Minneapolis has the opportunity to thrive. Established in 1915, The Minneapolis
    Foundation now manages more than $600 million in assets, administers more than 1,100 charitable funds and
    distributes approximately $36 million in grants each year. In addition, The Minneapolis Foundation works with
    other community leaders to improve the quality of life in our region and serve as a catalyst for discussion and
    action on critical issues.

    – MORE –
    Minnesota Community Foundation, established in 1949, is the statewide community foundation helping to
    create vibrant communities where all people can find hope and opportunity. As a nonprofit organization created by
    and for local residents, the Foundation helps individuals, organizations and communities fulfill their charitable
    giving goals and create positive change through philanthropy. Over the years, Minnesota Community Foundation
    has granted more than $140 million to nonprofit organizations all over the state. From Argyle to Zumbrota, the
    Foundation provides charitable planning, grantmaking and investment services. For more information, go to
    www.mncommunityfoundation.org.

    The Northwest Area Foundation is dedicated to supporting efforts by the people, organizations and
    communities in eight states to reduce poverty and achieve sustainable prosperity. The Foundation makes grants
    and promotes collaborations in pursuit of this mission. The Great Northern Railway, founded by James J. Hill,
    served these states. Hill’s son, Louis W. Hill, established the foundation in 1934.

    The Saint Paul Foundation is the community foundation for Saint Paul and surrounding areas. It connects and
    supports donors, nonprofits and partners to enrich lives and communities through philanthropy. Since 1940, The
    Saint Paul Foundation has granted more than $600 million to nonprofit organizations contributing to the health and
    vitality of the community. Through community initiatives and programs such as the Community Sharing Fund,
    SpectrumTrust, Management Improvement Fund, Words Work! And Facing Race, the Foundation works with the
    community to identify and address key issues. For more information, visit www.saintpaulfoundation.org.

    ##

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