Winona Community Foundation History

In 1985, Mark Kristensen, then director of the United Way of Greater Winona, organized a task force to investigate the possibility of forming a community foundation in our area. Members of this task force forged ahead and on January 26, 1987, the Winona Community Foundation was a registered not-for-profit agency, receiving a Certificate of Incorporation from Joan Anderson, then Minnesota Secretary of State. A board of directors was established and the first donation of $2,000 was received, thus starting the allocation of grants in our community.

The Foundation continues to grow, serving more donors than ever before in the Winona community. For that, we thank our following founders:

Original task force members

  • Adolph Bremer

  • Sue Cornwell

  • Dr. James Daniel

  • Tom Graham

  • Pauline Knight

  • Earl Laufenburger

  • Lee Luebbe

  • Gerry Neal

  • Patte Peterson

  • Richard Struck

  • Mary Testor


First Board of Directors

  • Patte Peterson, President

  • Sue Cornwell, Vice-President

  • Mark Kristensen, Secretary

  • John Kennedy, Treasurer

  • Susan Edel

  • Dale Helmich-Leaf

  • Gerry Neal

  • Ralph Ruben

  • Kenneth Seebold

  • Charles Tremain

Growth

  • In 1987, the Winona Community Foundation, was incorporated as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and received its first gift of $2,000 that same year.

  • The Winona Community Foundation has more than $19 million in assets under management in both Foundation controlled and donor advised funds.

  • In 2024, the Winona Community Foundation and its Fund Advisors awarded more than $4.25 million to charities throughout the Winona area and beyond.

  • The Winona Community Foundation meets and exceeds federal and state law requirements in practice and by policy as demonstrated by its National Standards for U.S. Community Foundations® accreditation and its Platinum rating by GuideStar.