Fund for the future
Picture a thriving community rooted in tradition, always reaching for the future. That’s the vision that inspired the Minnesota FH Progress Endowment Fund. Together with the FarmHouse Foundation, the Minnesota FarmHouse Association created the permanent fund as a catalyst for change, a beacon of opportunity and a lifeline for the Minnesota FarmHouse Chapter. From scholarships to empower the next generation of leaders to educational grants that pave the way for success, this fund transforms lives, elevates experiences and secures the Minnesota FarmHouse legacy for generations to come.
The Minnesota FH Association has a rich history of successful fundraising. With their original home constructed in 1961, the association embarked on a mission in 2008 to build a new modern chapter house on the St. Paul campus. Thanks to a decade of dedicated fundraising efforts by their housing campaign committee and the generous contributions from alumni and donors, their vision met reality and the new and impressive two-story chapter house was dedicated in June 2017.
With vision and momentum for change, the Minnesota FH Association developed a plan to continue support of their chapter. Established in the fall of 2022, through the collective contributions of key leaders from the association and the FarmHouse Foundation, the Minnesota FH Progress Endowment Fund (MPEF) was established. Since then, 76 donors have stepped forward, giving 126 gifts, and collectively contributing over $195,585. Contributions to the MPEF are dedicated to enriching the educational experiences and leadership opportunities available to members of the Minnesota FarmHouse Chapter tailoring them to their specific needs.
The fund is now the focal point of the association’s fundraising endeavors and bears the name of a revered figure: former house mother Mary Ann Bannerman, who dedicated 15 years to the chapter. Harnessing the widespread recognition of her contributions, the association plans to continue recognizing Mary Ann for her significant contributions and in the future will recognize other members and friends of FarmHouse who leave a legacy while striving to enhance the chapter’s overall living/learning experience.
“Once the chapter house was built, we wanted to establish an endowment fund for the future and name it in honor of Mary Anne because she had been instrumental for over 15 years,” said Master Builder Frank Bezdicek (Minnesota 67), chair of Minnesota’s Building the Future Capital Campaign.
In December 2022, the association kicked off its fundraising efforts for the MPEF with a mailing to all Minnesota alumni as well as events like a silent auction in 2022 and fundraising around this year’s Founders’ Day. Since then, they have been raising awareness in creative ways through their annual mailings, monthly e-newsletters, personal outreach and requests for IRA gifts by alumni 70.5 years old and older. The association also asked alumni to participate in Give to the Max Day, for the state of Minnesota’s giving holiday, November 15, 2023, requesting that their gifts be designated to the MPEF with the FarmHouse Foundation.
The annual spending allowance of the MPEF is versatile, covering a wide array of essential educational initiatives to benefit the chapter, including their attendance at the FarmHouse Fraternity Leadership Institute, academic scholarships, study abroad opportunities, technology, and the educational aspects of maintaining, operating and repairing the chapter house. Additionally, the fund provides grants for educational chapter retreats, seminars, team-building activities, etiquette training, career development programs and engaging educational speakers.
The principal of the MPEF may also be used for a mortgage loan for the Minnesota FH Association for future living/learning renovations, major repairs or remodeling.
Presently, the association is emphasizing the importance of the chapter’s recruitment efforts and equipping chapter members with the necessary skills in networking, communications, relationship building, goal-setting, sales and promoting the fraternity experience. The MPEF seeks to empower members to effectively engage in recruitment, sales and networking through comprehensive training programs like Phired Up, a program designed to help foster a vibrant fraternity community.
“FarmHouse means I get to be part of something bigger. It is an organization based on progress and devoted to the furthering of men within the Fraternity. I feel as though I gained a new family this year, and words can’t begin to explain how powerful these connections are,” said Michael Pliscott (Minnesota 21), whose sentiments echo the importance of FarmHouse and why the fund was created.
“In seeking to grow chapter numbers and provide an enhanced fraternity experience, the (MPEF serves as a vital resource in achieving those goals,” said Master Builder Kent Horsager (Minnesota 81), one of the architects of the fund. “With this fund, we can offset parts of the chapter house expenses as it relates to education and fund educational experiences with scholarships. Its inherent flexibility allows the fund to respond swiftly to the chapter’s ever-changing educational needs, addressing priorities as they arise.”
The Minnesota FH Association will continue to mark progress with every step as they work towards their ambitious goal of raising $1 million by the chapter’s centennial celebration in 2031.
“With this dynamic approach, Minnesota is poised to propel the chapter towards a bright future marked by expansion, enrichment and sustained success,” Horsager said.