(FOX 9) – Daydreaming of summer sunshine and trips to the Boundary Waters, it’s fair to say this and dozens of other natural treasures across our state have in some way benefited from the Minnesota Environmental Fund (MEF).
Rylee Hince stated to FOX 9 that “the boundary waters remain so pristine because they have groups protecting it.”
Hince is a member of MEF’s board and said that the long-standing nonprofit is officially closing. Partner groups across the state have received final checks.
Structured similar to the United Way, MEF relied heavily on workplace giving through people’s paychecks. Since 1991 MEF has directed more than $14 million toward protecting Minnesota’s air, land and waterways while also combating against climate chance and advocating environmental justice.
“It’s been a resource for especially some of the smaller nonprofits doing work in Minnesota,” Hince said. “They wouldn’t necessarily have access to those kind of funds without this sort of umbrella organization that is allowing those funds to pass through.”
“We have many members who came to MEF through us,” said Pete Marshall (communications director for Friends of the Boundary Waters).
Friends of the Boundary Waters, one of 20 partner organizations, has had to diversify its fundraising efforts because of changing giving styles. Donations are received and distributed by
MEF has slowed from approximately half a million dollars a ten-year ago to more recent about $10,000.
Marshall claims that even if there are fewer dollars, the MEF collaboration with the non-profit sector is a significant loss.
Marshall said that cutting down on administrative costs was a big part of this. “Every nonprofit has to spend some money in order to make it successful. So through MEF it wasn’t a lot of work we had to put on our end to receive those donations.”
Hince hopes individual donors will recall the need for nonprofits all over the world, even though change is on the horizon.
“It’s sad to see something that has been so helpful for Minnesota’s environment go away” Hince said.
A list of MEF partner nonprofits can be found here. HERE.