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Giving

Ways To Give

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With your help, we connect people to jobs every day.
 

  • Your gifts help sustain a holistic approach, ranging from assistance with interview clothing or a new tool belt, to industry-specific job training programs.
  • Advocates for workforce-related public policy engage with over 100 elected officials annually, putting Minnesotans to work regardless of their barriers.
  • In any given year, we partner with 150+ government and nonprofit agencies to connect participants with community resources with your support.
Illustration of human hand giving cash to another human hand.

Ways to Give

  1. Become a monthly supporter – it’s the easiest and most efficient way to support our neighbors all year long!
  2. Give online today
  3. Make a tribute gift in someone's honor.
  4. Mail your gift:
    Goodwill-Easter Seals Foundation
    Lockbox 446003
    P.O. Box 64056
    St. Paul, MN 55164-0017
  5. Make a gift of stock.
  6. Leave a bequest or contact us to explore all of your planned giving options.
  7. Become a Sustaining Sponsor. Companies can amplify their brand exposure while strengthening their support of the individuals served by GESMN. Annual sponsorship opportunities include signature, customizable benefits throughout the year.

Connect with Us

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Your Impact

Your generous support helps open doors to brighter futures for people in our community. Here are some of the people we helped experience the power of work:

Photo of Van working on the house during his training

A partnership with Ramsey County not only helped revitalize a historic St. Paul home, it helped launch Van's career and future in home remodeling. Van graduated from our construction training program and gained experience to help him enter into the field. Read about Van's journey.

Photo of Josie smiling.

Josie was working multiple jobs and 80 hours/week to support her family. After graduating from our Business Professional Pathways program, she is now a rising star ayt Allina.  Read her story.

News & Events

The Power of Partnerships

A message from Sheila Olson

Sheila smiling

On December 5, 2023, Goodwill-Easter Seals Minnesota (GESMN) was thrilled to welcome over 70 community partners to our St. Paul Campus for our Power of Partnerships event. Together we celebrated the many ways we work together to provide career opportunities for our program participants and strengthen our communities.

Partnerships with GESMN improve the range of career training and services available, foster new ideas and creativity, expand opportunities for our mutual participants and assist more participants in realizing their employment dreams.

At the event, two employers were recognized for their outstanding partnership with GESMN – Wilbert Plastic Services and North Central States Regional Council of Carpenters.

Wilbert Plastic Services is an injection molding company located in White Bear Lake. As an employer partner, they have hired several participants from GESMN’s ReEntry program. Justice-impacted individuals often face deep barriers to employment and partners like Wilbert embody our mission and help to keep our economy moving forward.

“Wilbert Plastic Services has operated as a fair chance employer for many years and continues to be a pillar of hope for many justice-impacted individuals looking for a chance to prove themselves,” says Andrew Freeberg, Director of Community Programs at GESMN. “Wilbert Plastic Services not only provides ReEntry participants these chances but treats them with respect and dignity in the process. In turn, Wilbert Plastic Services acknowledges the many benefits of employing justice-impacted individuals and remains committed to offering our men and women a hand up as they return home.”

North Central States Regional Council of Carpenters partners with GESMN’s construction training and YouthBuild programs, providing connections and networking opportunities with employers who hire and advance GESMN graduates.

“North Central States Regional Council (NCSRCC) of Carpenters has partnered with GESMN Construction Training for over a decade, providing education and exposure to the carpentry trades,” says Becky Brink Ray, Director of Career Training & Education at GESMN. “They coordinate tours of the Carpenters Training Institute for our participants, collaborate with informational interviews and provide valuable curriculum advice towards program enhancements. Most important, NCSRCC advances employment for our graduates by connecting them with placement and registered apprenticeship opportunities. We are grateful for their partnership and look forward to many more years preparing students for successful and rewarding careers within the trades.”

“GESMN produces people who are ready for union employment,” says Sam Heimlich, business representative for NCSRCC. “They have consistently prepared people that our industry needs. To watch them get into a union career and have their lives changed for the better is worth it.”

The importance of these partnerships is critical to the work GESMN does to ensure everyone experiences the power of work and we are grateful to these partners.

Sheila Olson is the Chief Services & Programs Officer at Goodwill-Easter Seals Minnesota. Her team provides nearly 20 customized services to help people in our community get equitable access to jobs, create stable careers and realize the power of work.

(Left to right: Sheila Stejskal and Erica Neely of Wilbert Plastic Services and Sr. Director, Service & Programs, Dr. Keith Brooks)

(Left to right: Sheila Stejskal and Erica Neely of Wilbert Plastic Services and Sr. Director, Service & Programs, Dr. Keith Brooks)

(Left to right: Sam Heimlich of North Central States Regional Council of Carpenters and Sr. Director, Service & Programs, Dr. Keith Brooks)

(Left to right: Sam Heimlich of North Central States Regional Council of Carpenters and Sr. Director, Service & Programs, Dr. Keith Brooks)

Audience attending Power of Partnership event

Foundation

Photo of instructor teaching construction class.

VISION:

To use the power of generosity to build a world where everyone experiences the power of work.

MISSION:

To support Goodwill-Easter Seals Minnesota's mission to eliminate barriers to work and independence.

VALUES:

  • Philanthropy: We believe in the importance of charitable giving and its ability to make a lasting mark upon people and the community.
  • Donor-focus: We build exceptional partnerships with people and promote inspired giving by providing donors with the options, tools and support they need to make charitable giving easy, personally satisfying and effective.
  • Stewardship: We invest charitable gifts wisely and distribute them to advance the mission of Goodwill-Easter Seals Minnesota.
Participant wearing a construciton helmet smiling and giving two thumbs up.

What we do

In 2014, the Goodwill-Easter Seals Foundation was formed to ensure our financial resources grow and keep pace with the increased demand for services. The Foundation is a separate nonprofit that exists for the sole benefit of Goodwill-Easter Seals Minnesota. It offers donors a special opportunity to invest in the future of GESMN and create lasting legacies that will help people become economically self-sufficient.

The Foundation accomplishes its goals by establishing and growing endowment funds, which are invested to provide long-term support for the organization. When the endowment earns interest over time, the earnings can be distributed to fund the services and programs of Goodwill-Easter Seals.

Since the Goodwill-Easter Seals Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization, contributors can take the maximum deduction for charitable contributions, under IRS regulations.

Help build the bridge

The Goodwill-Easter Seals Foundation is building the bridge to ensure individuals can experience the power of work. We hope you join us. We accept gifts of cash, stocks, property, bequests and other assets in the way that qualifies for the maximum tax advantages, as recognized by law.

  • Make a gift payable to Goodwill-Easter Seals Foundation
  • Give an appreciated asset
  • Name Goodwill-Easter Seals Minnesota in your will
  • Our team can help you explore your present and long-term giving options, establish a named fund/donations in honor or in memory of friends or loved ones and designate funds that reflect your values and interests.

Contact Director of Philanthropy Naomi Prabhakar at 651-255-4910 for information.

We always encourage you to seek advice from a financial advisor when making personal investments.

Our Board Members

Debbie Galka, M.B.A., Chair

Management Consultant and Community Volunteer

John Bergstrom, M.B.A.

Fund Manager & General Partner, Mairs & Power Venture Capital

Lauren Beecham Henry

Vice President, Community Marketing, Bremer Bank

Marcella De La Torre, EdD

Chief Administrative Officer,
Minneapolis Area REALTORS®

Adam Freeman

Margaret A. Cargill Philanthropies

Chris Grimm

Highland Associates

Texas Hemmaplardh, M.B.A., C.F.A., Secretary

Partner, Pavilion, A Mercer Practice

Rachel Lockett

Chair, Goodwill-Easter Seals MN Board of Directors,
Chief Information Officer, Pohlad Companies/Marquette Companies

Sita Morantz

Chief Acquisition Integration and Community Engagement Officer, Marsden Holding L.L.C.

John Schonberg, Treasurer

Chief Investment Officer & Portfolio Manager,
Stonebridge Capital Advisors

Morgan Truscott

Executive Director, JP Morgan Private Bank

Michael Wirth-Davis, DPA (ex officio)

President, Goodwill Easter Seals Foundation,
President & CEO, Goodwill-Easter Seals Minnesota