Kay Slack (left) recounts the foundation’s 40-year journey while Shuan Floerke (right), who assumed the role of president and CEO two years ago, attentively listens. | SUBMITTED
Duluth Superior Area Community Foundation 40 years of transforming philanthropy DULUTH— In the world of Monopoly, a popular board game, players occasionally find themselves landing on the Community Chest square. It’s a windfall for the individual, but it comes with a catch; it swiftly empties the Community Chest, requiring several turns to amass those communal riches once more.
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In the real world, many nonprofit organizations operate in similar fashion. They conduct fundraisers, launch capital campaigns, host galas, raffles, and car washes or bake sales to collect funds. Once the money is raised, it’s put to good use. And it is spent. Shaun Floerke, the president and CEO of the Duluth Superior Area Community Foundation (DSACF), presides over DSACF from spacious quarters on the 7th floor of Duluth’s Medical Arts Building. The Foundation is able to give grants and scholarships by investing it’s money and spending the interest of dividends only. Since 1983 they have distributed more than $63 million through more than 450 funds. Floerke and the entire community recently celebrated an event at the Clyde Iron Works in Duluth. Why the jubilation? Establishing a community foundation in Duluth and the Arrowhead region during the challenging economic climate of the early 1980s and maintaining its financial viability for four decades is no small feat. Nov. 2 marked the 40th anniversary of the Community Opportunity Foundation. Some 4,790 individuals have donated to that fund. Floerke said, “We’ve had gifts from $1 to $1 million.”
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If Floerke’s name sounds familiar, it might be because he served as a judge in Minnesota’s Sixth Judicial District from 2004 until he joined DSACF in January 2021. As a judge, he often encountered people at the end of their journeys, typically when they faced legal troubles. In his new role, he aspires to help people further “upstream,” offering
This map shows service areas covered by the Duluth Superior Area Community Foundation. The blue pins represent tribal nations and the orange circles are Foundation affiliates. | SUBMITTED opportunities before they find themselves in legal, social, or personal difficulties. Floerke pointed out that many people are unaware of the Foundation. Its origins can be traced back to the challenging economic landscape of the early 1980s. The Foundation is committed to place-based funding, directing all its resources toward nonprofits and scholarships. Floerke swiftly transitioned to the various other programs the Foundation supports, including scholarships, grants for food access, youth development, the arts, historical programs, and various other nonprofit initiatives. He stressed the significance of individuals considering the Foundation in their wills. He cited individuals and couples who have come into their elder years with lots of money and either have no children or their children are doing well, so they want to leave a legacy to help others in their community. Financial planners and/or attorneys can often help them with this. One noteworthy aspect of the Foundation’s approach is its commitment to minimizing bureaucratic obstacles for grantees.
