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Vision, Mission, Brief History

Vision

The Foundation envisions a future in which:

• The philanthropic interests of all citizens and organizations in our community are actively encouraged and served;
• The Foundation is a creative source of new ideas and strategies that assist the community in meeting ongoing and emerging needs; and
• We are a strong and effective source of leadership in the mobilization and coordination of the multitude of resources and skills of our citizens in order to help increase community viability and vitality.

Mission-Strengthening Our Community

Life in Edina has much to offer – beautiful homes and parks, great schools and shopping, and a convenient central location.  The Edina Community Foundation adds to that mix by enhancing opportunities for people who live or work in Edina through a strong program of philanthropy.

Founded over 30 years ago, the Edina Community Foundation works to create a better and stronger community in which people who live and work here can contribute to helping others in need; have an enhanced sense of public safety in their homes and in the community; come together to enjoy cultural activities, opportunities for community dialogue and other public events; and enjoy beautiful parks, buildings, neighborhoods, public art and music.

In addition to enhancing the work of the City of Edina, the Foundation provides support to many independent community groups, including artistic, athletic and neighborhood organizations.

INVOLVING OUR RESIDENTS

The Edina Community Foundation’s vision includes being a source of leadership in the coordination of resources and skills of our citizens. 

To that end, we encourage those people who live or work in Edina to get involved in our work. The most obvious way is by making a charitable donation, but there are many other ways to help.  Committee and board involvement is critical to our efforts, as well as volunteer work on any one of our many programs.  We encourage you to become involved with us in strengthening our community.

Four Focus Areas

HELPING OUR NEIGHBORS

The strength of a community depends to a great extent on the quality of life available to children, families and seniors in need.  To that end, we develop philanthropic support across all age ranges.

 ENHANCING OUR SAFETY

In a time of great public concern for our international and national security, we are committed to supporting the work of Edina’s exemplary public safety agencies.  

BRINGING PEOPLE TOGETHER

A suburban city has a special challenge to define and celebrate its own identity, so that residents can come together and enjoy a full life in their own community. We help to fulfill this in many ways.

BEAUTIFYING OUR CITY

Our residents place great value on beauty and aesthetic quality. Because of that, we develop support for City parks, public landscaping, and art and music programs in public places.

The Edina Community Foundation was created to advance our community as a premier place for living, learning, raising families and nurturing leadership through the development of a strong program of philanthropy.

A Brief History

The Edina Foundation was incorporated in 1977 under the joint auspices of the Edina City Council and the Edina Board of Education. By the Foundation’s 25th anniversary in 2002, the Board of Education had established its own charitable organization, the Edina Education Fund and agreed with the Edina City Council to release their rights to make appointments to the Foundation Board. Following that joint action, the Foundation changed its name to the Edina Community Foundation, and its Board of Directors has been expanded to be broadly representative of the Edina community.