The Greater Pine Area Endowment is a Partner Fund of the Initiative Foundation. It is led by an advisory board of local volunteers who have made a commitment to strengthen our communities. Created in 1992, our vision is to promote a sense of community pride and success, to improve the quality of life in our community, and to be a proactive partner in leading economic development, including quality job creation and high tech employment.

Community foundations are tax-exempt public charities serving thousands of people who share a common interest – improving the quality of life in their area. As your community’s foundation, we provide the leadership to help people give back to the Pine City community with measured impact and great meaning.

As local volunteers, we know our neighbors, share your interests and are invested in the future of our community. Our partnership with the Initiative Foundation combines local knowledge and leadership with professional expertise and guidance to identify community needs, serve donors and manage our investments.

By promoting local philanthropy, we strive to strengthen our community by connecting people, resources and needs. Our endowment fund is a charitable investment account in which the principal contributions are never spent; we use only the earnings to provide a flexible, dependable funding stream to support important projects.

In carrying out our work, Advisory Board Members will be guided by these principles.

To be visionary, focusing on the long-term benefit of our community.
To be open and honest in our communications, be committed to conducting ourselves with integrity and consistency.
To be proactive in our leadership style, encouraging broad participation in determining future direction.
To be fair, ethical and moral in our conduct.
To listen to each other and the community, seeking to understand.
To be loyal to the work of the GPAE, demonstrating commitment through giving of time and financial resources.
To keep the community fully informed of our work.

Advisory Board:

Tom Gahler, Chair

Nancy Mach, Vice Chair

Blake Anderson, Member

Mike Anderson, Member

Cami Babolik, Member

Corey Berube, Member

Nick Olson, Member

Chelsie Troth, Treasurer

Jason Wiener, Member

Created in 1986, the Initiative Foundation is powering possible to help Central Minnesota people build and sustain thriving communities. The Foundation serves the 14 counties of Central Minnesota, providing nonprofit grants, business loans, leadership training and an array of donor services. We believe that local people have the greatest sum of initiative, knowledge and relationships to achieve a brighter future.

In partnership with the Greater Pine Area Endowment, the Initiative Foundation oversees and manages financial contributions for the fund. The Foundation also provides staff support to the advisory board and ensures compliance with legal and professional standards. These services allow volunteer leaders to focus on meeting community needs and enhancing the local quality of life. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, contributions to the fund are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.

Our Mission

To provide financial resources to meet the long-term strategic needs of the Greater Pine Area Community, focusing on economic and community development.