FMC Endowment Fund Update

FMC SCHOLARSHIP FUND SCORECARD (since 1997)

Number of scholarships and grants awarded:  664

Dollar Amount Awarded:  $357,552

RECENT SCHOLARSHIP and GRANTS

Scholarships have been awarded to these ACDA-MN members to attend the ACDA National Conference in Dallas, TX, March 18-22, 2025:

• Alexander Happ – University of Minnesota – Morris, Vocal Music Education
• Obsa Kedir – St. Olaf College, B.A. Music and Economics
• Zach Kubasta – Valley View Middle School, Edina
• Nathan Lange – North Dakota State University, D.M.A. Choral Conducting

Upcoming 2025 scholarships will be awarded to students in the 7-8, and 4-5-6 honor choir programs, along with the Next Direction HS Student Leadership Conference, and graduate studies. Graduate studies, along with the Alice T. Larsen scholarship application is due April 1. See the ACDA-MN homepage for more information about these scholarship opportunities at: acda-mn.com.

GRANT UPDATE

We are grateful to again receive a grant from the Twin Cities Opera Guild for Honor Choir scholarship support. The funding allows us to offer additional scholarships for participating students.

Additionally we are again thrilled to share that ACDA-MN received an Arts Learning grant for $30,940 from the Minnesota State Arts Board to support the Tenor-Bass Festival on March 25, 2025. In partnership with Cantus, this new event will be held at the Reif Center in Grand Rapids, MN.

Last year 113 participants worked with performers from Cantus

FEATURED SUPPORTER

 Teoh-Berbee

1. When did you make your first donation to ACDA-MN?

I first donated to ACDA-MN in 2009, 6 years into my career as a choir director.

2. Why is it so important for you to contribute to ACDA-MN?   

ACDA-MN has played a huge role in my development as a choral director. I first became involved with ACDA-MN through the 7/8 state honor choirs. I volunteered as a screener in the early 2000’s when we used to have listening parties hosted by the honor choir co-chairs. Since middle school/jr. high school choirs don’t have the same types of shared events that high school directors have, this served as my first professional networking with others who directed choirs like mine. I really valued those early career conversations with more experienced middle school directors; their wisdom and insight helped me grow and also helped me give myself permission to try new things in my classroom that my predecessors had not done.

I also see the value of what ACDA-MN does for our singers across the state. Participation in the honor choirs has been a life-changing experience for my students. It has helped many of them affirm their love of singing as well as find community with others who are like them. I like how our state is lifting up different experiences and how we celebrate many different types of choirs, from the professional and semi-professional groups to the varied types of singers in our different choral communities. I also like how we continue to broaden the scope of the choral spectrum to include more diverse musics and to lift up the voices of marginalized composers.

I continue to donate to ACDA-MN annually so that growth opportunities for both conductors and singers can keep being offered, and future projects can be developed.

3. What is one part of ACDA-MN’s future that excites you?  

I am really excited by how ACDA-MN continues to examine and question itself. I like that we are an organization that is not afraid to change to better serve the needs of choral directors and singers across our state, and that we are constantly looking for ways to grow and improve. I am especially excited about some of the ways that ACDA-MN is looking to get innovation from members and other singers, such as the IDEA fund to support projects throughout our state.

2024 DONOR CAMPAIGN SUMMARY

Thank you to all the individual donors and institutions who supported the FMC Endowment Fund during 2024 with gifts totaling $127,103 in these categories:

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2024 GIFTS TO THE FMC ENDOWMENT FUND

We thank these individuals who contributed to the FMC Endowment Fund during September to December, 2024.

2024 GIFTS TO THE FMC ENDOWMENT FUND

Gifts to the FMC Endowment Fund

Acknowledge a mentor, colleague, relative, or friend by donating to the FMC Endowment Fund. Your donations in ANY amount are welcomed at ANY time.

Your gift to the FMC Endowment Fund supports choral music excellence in Minnesota today and into the future.  ACDA of Minnesota is a non-profit 501 (c) (3) organization and all gifts are tax deductible.

Make a Sustaining Gift

A sustaining gift is an easy way to make a difference everyday that works for your budget and schedule. It is convenient, customizable, and environmentally friendly, and helps ensure a steady source of funding for ACDA-MN.

You can set up your recurring gift by credit card now by going to GiveMN.org. Select “Donation,” then “Monthly donation”

Once you have entered your payment information and submitted your recurring gift, ACDA-MN will automatically deduct gifts monthly from your credit card according to the amount you select. And don’t worry—your online donation is secure and flexible.

For more information or to make an online contribution by credit card click acda-mn.org Or mail your contribution to:

FMC Endowment Fund
Jamie Andrews, Executive Director
4445 44th Avenue South
Minneapolis MN. 55406
jandrews@acda-mn.org

We greatly appreciate your ongoing generosity and support. Thank you!

SOCIALLY RESPONSIBLE INVESTMENT POLICY

ACDA-MN leadership, overseeing the FMC Endowment Fund and the Alice T. Larsen Memorial Scholarship Fund, annually advises our investment management firm to adopt selective investment strategies that utilize socially conscious investment options that focus on environmental, social, and corporate governance criteria.

Members of the FMC Endowment Fund Committee:

• Daniel Digre
• Marie Spar Dymit
• Rikka Estenson
• Jon Habermann
• Jon Kietzer
• Anne Klus
• Kathryn Larson
• Teri Larson
• David Menneicke
• Karla Miller
• Mark Nelson
• Melanie Payne
• Andrew Parr
• Ron Rydell
• Randy Schafer
• Daryl Timmer
• Jerry Upton
• Paula Holmberg, Chair
• Jamie Andrews, Executive Director

Members of the FMC Advisory Committee

• Anton E. Armstrong
• Philip Brunelle
• Carol Barnett
• Abbie Betinis
• Rene Clausen
• Jocelyn Hagen
• Brian Newhouse
• Jake Runestad
• Kathy Saltzman Romey
• Timothy C. Takach
• Dale Warland