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2023 ANNUAL REPORTEVOLVING

IN THISREPORTMessage from the Board Chair & President02Board of Trustees03About the Community Foundation04Community Opportunity Fund05Building a Meaningful Legacy07 Fueling Big Dreams08Grant Impact Stories: Hope Haven Respite House & Justice North09Unity Fund13Affiliate Community Funds15Thank You17 Financials18JUST GETTING TO KNOW US?Sign up for our monthly newsletterto learn more about our latest initiatives, upcoming events and impact.

Shaun FloerkeCEO & PresidentEMBRACINGCHANGE Dear Friends,One major achievement has been the transformation of ourCommunity Opportunity Fund. This permanent endowmentnow strategically targets Opportunity, Resilience, andBelonging, empowering local organizations with larger grantsand driving resilience and innovation in times of rapid change.ImpactforThis past year has been a remarkable journey oftransformation and growth for our organization. We've boldlyreimagined our strategies and intensified our efforts to serveour community with even greater impact and compassion.We believe our success is built on collective impact. Ascommunity needs evolve, we have seen remarkable resultswhen individuals and stakeholders come together. Bycollaborating, we continue to tackle complex challenges andsupport sustainable solutions that benefit everyone.into our community, actively investing in our neighbors andaddressing local issues such as housing, nonprofit capacityand workforce development.Our team is growing, with new staff and board membersbringing a diverse set of talents and expertise. These freshperspectives enhance our ability to serve our communitymore effectively from Grand Marais to Chequamegon Bay, theIron Range and the Twin Ports.We are inspired by the progress we’ve made together andoptimistic about the future. As we continue to grow and adapt,we invite you to be an active part of this journey, investing in the strength and potential of our beloved community.Together, we are not just funding projects; we are nurturing dreams, fostering hope, and building astronger, more resilient community for generations to come.Joscelyn SkandelBoard ChairWith deepest appreciation, 2Looking ahead, we are excited to launch a new initiative inimpact investing. This bold step will channel resources directly

DULUTH SUPERIOR AREA COMMUNITY FOUNDATIONJoscelyn SkandelChair (Outgoing)Superior Water,Light & PowerBOARD OF TRUSTEESKerstyn HendricksVice-Chair (Incoming Chair) National Bank ofCommerceDavid MontgomeryTreasurerCity of DuluthMoira VilliardSecretaryIndependent ArtistKatelyn BaumannTrusteeUniversity ofWisconsin - SuperiorLee Jenson BujoldTrusteeRetired BusinessDevelopment DirectorJeff CoreyTrusteeOne Roof Community HousingFred FriedmanTrusteeRetired LawyerPatrick HeffernanTrusteeWheeler AssociatesSakib MahmudTrusteeUniversity ofWisconsin - SuperiorSandra WrightTrusteeRetired Educator3

WE BUILDSTRONGCOMMUNITIES 4Together,The Duluth Superior Area Community Foundationis a catalyst for meaningful change. By tackling theroot causes of local challenges, we provideopportunities to create sustainable solutions withlasting impact.Through strategic collaboration with nonprofits,thoughtful guidance of grant and scholarshipprograms, and leading community conversations,donors can trust that their generosity will make areal difference where it’s needed most.

In 2023, we restructured the Community Opportunity Fund tobetter address the critical needs of our community throughfour strategic grant categories: Opportunity, Resilience,Belonging, and Transformation.5This new approach empowers nonprofits to undertake larger-scale initiatives, make strategic investments, and plan for long-term success, all aimed at creating sustainable, impactfulchange. By increasing grant awards from an average of $2,500to $40,000, this structure strengthens our communities anddrives meaningful progress.In times of crisis, like the flooding in 2012 or the COVID-19pandemic, the Community Opportunity Fund has enabled us torespond swiftly and effectively, providing critical support to thosein need. Beyond immediate relief, this fund also championssustainable upstream solutions like climate resilience and earlychildhood development. Discover the power of the CommunityOpportunity Fund. Explore the list of generouscontributors and grants awarded, and join usin making a lasting impact on our community.OPPORTUNITY FUNDCommunityTHEA Permanent Civic Endowment for Lasting Impact Since its inception in 1983, the Community Opportunity Fund hasgranted over $13 million, showcasing the significant impact we canachieve together. In early 2024, 34 organizations receivedCommunity Opportunity Grants across the four strategic focusareas, totaling $1.4 million.For the first time, multi-year transformation grants—worth up to$500,000— were awarded to projects that prioritize collaboration.These grants focus on changing systems and developing upstreamsolutions in the areas of opportunity, resilience, and belonging.

Maji ya Chai Land Sactuary |Two Harbors, MNRetreatsdedicated tohealing innature forcommunitiesof color. Duluth Children’sMuseum | Duluth, MNFostering aninclusiveenvironmentwhere allchildren have theopportunity tothrive.American Red Cross |Arrowhead RegionIncreasingdisasterresilience andreadiness innorthernMinnesota.Mashkiiziibii |Bad River Band of Lake SuperiorTribe of ChippewaIndians Supportinghealing,biodiversity andfood sovereigntyon a regionalscale.6BELONGING OPPORTUNITYRESILIENCE TRANSFORMATION

I'm so grateful for this support, knowing I'm notalone in this journey makes all the difference.FUELING BIGEstablished in 1998 by Peter and Caroline Bye in memory of her father, an Iron Range physician, the Peter Bye Family Scholarship Fund supports students likeZhaaZhaawaanong who are dedicated to serving rural communities in northernMinnesota and Wisconsin. The Byes' generosity ensures that the next generation ofdoctors are not only skilled but also deeply connected to the communities they serve.7With a stethoscope in one hand and the tiny, trusting fingers of her two-year-oldtwins in the other, ZhaaZhaawaanong Greensky navigates the demanding world ofmedical school with unwavering determination. As a recipient of the Peter ByeFamily Scholarship, her journey at the University of Minnesota Duluth exemplifiesthe transformative power of scholarships, fueling her pursuit of an M.D. degree andher dream to serve others.ZhaaZhaawaanong’s love for science evolved into a deep commitment tocommunity healthcare. Through her work in the Rural Medical Scholars Program,she discovered her calling in primary care, where she connects with patients anduses her knowledge to heal. As she steps into her clerkships, the Peter Bye FamilyScholarship remains crucial, allowing her to balance motherhood with hereducational goals.DreamsZhaaZhaawaanong with her classmate at a UMD Medical School event.

BUILDING A MEANINGFULKathleen Kelly, or Katie, as her friends knew her, was a cherished member of theDuluth community, and supported many causes close to her heart.LegacyKatie Kelly's legacy is truly extraordinary, and her generosity will have a lasting impact on specific initiatives and our entire community for generations to come.Katie’s family owned the Kelly Furniture company in the Duluth-Superior area formany years, dating back to their early days in Duluth. The business grew and at onepoint there were thirteen stores. Katie always felt since the family’s wealth wasearned locally that it should remain in the same place to benefit everyone. Sheidentified the Community Foundation as a true partner in her generous giving goals. 57Following Katie Kelly's passing in March 2023, the Community Foundation was deeplyhonored to receive a significant portion of her estate. Her generous bequestestablished a new designated fund to support a cause close to her heart, as well as asubstantial contribution to the Community Opportunity Fund, ensuring continuedbenefits for the entire region. Shaun Floerke, President & CEO of the Duluth Superior Area Community FoundationMs. Kelly loved Duluth and left a legacy that will benefit our community for generations. We are honored to carry on her meaningful philanthropic work.8

FOSTERINGChrissy Barnard knows the profound pain of loss. She lost herhome, her fiancé, and her freedom during a mental health crisis. ResilienceNow, as the executive director at NAMI Lake Superior SouthShore, Chrissy has transformed her experience into a passionfor helping others in similar situations. This passion inspired herto become the driving force behind Hope Haven Respite Housein Superior, a sanctuary for those experiencing a mental healthcrisis. With a grant from the Community Foundation’s Douglas CountyDisaster and Welfare Fund and support from other communitypartners, Hope Haven has become a reality. In a region wherethe demand for mental health resources far exceeds theavailable supply, it provides crucial support and saves lives.Through Hope Haven, Chrissy Barnard is transforming herpain into a lifeline for others, ensuring that no one has tonavigate their mental health journey alone.Hope Haven Respite House is a voluntary, short-termprogram in a four-bedroom home for individualsexperiencing mental health crises who are not an imminentrisk of harming themselves or others. The key to its success isa trained, supportive staff with lived experience with mentalillness who offer empathy and understanding.with Hope Haven Respite HouseExterior of the Hope Haven Respite House9

Chrissy Barnard, Executive Directorfor NAMI-Lake Superior South Shore

StabilityCREATINGwith Justice NorthImagine being a senior on a fixed income and suddenly beingasked to move out of your home. This was the reality formany tenants when the owners of a large apartment buildingannounced major renovations, giving residents, most ofwhom were seniors, just thirty days to vacate. Panic set in.We’re now helping four times morepeople with housing challenges thanbefore the pandemic.Housing stability is a critical issue in rural communities.Seniors, particularly those on fixed incomes, aredisproportionately affected by housing insecurity. They oftenface limited options for affordable housing, and suddendisplacement can lead to homelessness or forced relocationfar from their established support networks. Additionally,rural areas often have fewer rental units available, and theexisting ones can be quickly snapped up, leaving vulnerablepopulations with nowhere to turn.Thanks to funding from the Central Mesabi Fund, Justice Northhas increased access to legal assistance on the Iron Range. Byrepresenting families and individuals, Justice North createsstability, allowing them to remain in their homes andcommunities, fostering a true sense of belonging.Enter Kevin Swanberg, a dedicated Law Clerk with JusticeNorth. “We stepped in, representing about nine of thetenants, and negotiated with the landlord to give them timeto move and find stable housing,” he said.Rural communities in Minnesota face significant challenges inaccessing legal help, which can lead to broader issues such ashigh eviction rates, unaddressed domestic violence, and lossof family support. Justice North's free legal services are vital inaddressing these gaps.Dori Rapaport, Justice North Executive Director11

According to the Minnesota HousingPartnership, rural Minnesota has a housingvacancy rate of less than 1%. This shortage,combined with the limited availability ofaffordable housing options,disproportionately impacts seniors on fixedincomes, making them particularly vulnerableto displacement and housing insecurity.

Leading the Way in Inclusive Giving for African Heritage CommunitiesGrant requests are accepted on a rolling basis throughout theyear, with Unity Fund Grants offering up to $10,000 for individualorganizations and up to $25,000 for collaborations of multipleorganizations. The Fund was established in 2021 in partnership by the Duluth Superior Area Community Foundation, the OrdeanFoundation, and Generations Health Care Initiatives.InnovatingPHILANTHROPYThe Unity Fund is fostering a stronger, more equitable communitythat enhances economic vitality and opportunities for everyone.This unique, community-led effort represents an innovativeapproach to philanthropy by minimizing barriers and increasingaccess to essential resources.The Unity Fund serves as a catalyst for achieving equity andjustice for people of African Heritage in our community. Through the Fund, the Foundation seeks to drive meaningfulchanges that provide African Heritage individuals with opportunitiesto fully participate in and benefit from all aspects of life. The Fund is overseen by a committee of African Heritageindividuals from our community, ensuring it remains responsiveto the needs and priorities of those it serves. In 2023, $65,000was awarded to seven organizations for initiatives that supportAfrican Heritage individuals.13See the impact. Scan the QR code to watch a short videohighlighting how the Unity Fund is driving change inAfrican Heritage communities. Hear from communitymembers, and learn how your support makes a difference.

Vita Nova is creating homes for recently incarcerated individuals in Duluth, MN. Withsupport from the Unity Fund in 2023, founder Richard Howell is renovating a triplexon the hillside and providing a safe space for living and reconciling with family.

AFFLIATE COMMUNITY FUNDSAPOSTLE ISLANDSCHEQUAMEGON BAY AREAThe Apostle Islands and Chequamegon Bay Area Fundsprovide resources to communities in Red Cliff, Bayfield, theApostle Islands, and Chequamegon Bay, including MadelineIsland, Washburn, Ashland, and Bad River. Established in2000 and 2011 respectively, these funds merged governancein 2019 but maintain separate grant responsibilities andcommittees for their regions.15A total of $51,721 was awarded to 17 organizations in 2023Volunteersgather at theGolf: Fore theGreater GoodTournament atChequamegonBay Golf Club.COOK COUNTY The Cook County Community Fund, established in 2003,enhances the quality of life in Cook County, Minnesota, byempowering local nonprofits through philanthropy,education, and collaboration. The fund attracts charitablegifts, makes philanthropic grants, and provides responsiblefinancial stewardship and community leadership. The FundAdvisory Board awards grants from unrestricted funds toaddress community needs in arts, community development,education, the environment, human services, and youth.A total of $42,709 was awarded to 12 organizations in 2023CooperationStation NaturePlayschool withnew life jacketssupported by aprevious grantcycle.

TWO HARBORS AREAAffiliate Community Funds are permanent endowments managed by their own advisory committee of community leaders, ensuring thatdecisions are made by those who understand the unique needs of their area. Contributions to these Community Funds directly enhancethe quality of life in their specific communities within our region for generations to come. The Two Harbors Area Fund, established in 1998 as the firstaffiliate of the Duluth Superior Area Community Foundation,enhances the quality of life for residents of Two Harbors andthe surrounding area. The fund serves as a resource forgiving, administers a growing endowment, provides a flexiblevehicle for donors, and responds to community needsthrough grantmaking. It supports initiatives that address thechanging needs of the community in the areas of arts, civicprojects, education, the environment, and human services.16A total of $52,460 was awarded to 13 organizations in 2023CommunityPartners - Two Harbors and advisorycommitteememberschatting withLake CountyPress. EVELETH The Eveleth Community Foundation Fund, established in2008, serves as a vital resource for the close-knit Eveletharea. Guided by an advisory committee of communityleaders, the fund builds and manages an endowment forthe future, responds to evolving community needs throughstrategic grantmaking, and provides financial stewardshipand leadership. It supports initiatives in arts, community andeconomic development, education, the environment, andhuman services.A total of $21,098 was awarded to 8 organizations in 2023Advisorycommitteemembers pose in front of theEvelethCommunityFoundation Fund mural.

Community OpportunityField-of-Interest Designated Scholarship Donor-Advised Organizational Endowed *OpportunityTransformation FINANCIALSFISCAL YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 2023TOTAL ASSETSGIFTS RECIEVEDCOMPOSITION OF ASSETS17(in millions)$31.1$20.1$15.7$15.7$12.2$10.3TOTAL ASSETS$105.1(in millions)$69.2$82.8$93.1$108.8$89.4$105.2GRANTS PAIDCOMMUNITY OPPORTUNITY FUND$2.9$2.8$3.4$3.1$4.3$4.1The strategicrestructure of the CommunityOpportunity Fund ledto the awarding of2023 fall cycle grantsin March 2024. (in millions)(in millions)$1.7$6.4$3.9‘18‘19 ‘20‘21 ‘22 ‘23‘18‘19 ‘20‘21 ‘22 ‘23‘18‘19 ‘20‘21 ‘22 ‘23(awarded in 2024)BelongingResilience$397k$397k$397k$189kTOTAL COF GRANTS PAID$1,380,621$6.2$5.2$6.6 *Multi-year grants committing a total of $944k over a five-year periodNumbers presented are unaudited

18At the heart of every success story, every life changed,and every community strengthened, there is you.Thank You TO OUR GENEROUS DONORS Scan the QRCode to View2023 Donor ListBecause of your generosity, we are able toreach further, dream bigger, and make alasting impact on the lives of those we serve.Whether you've made a gift, started a fund, orincluded us in your estate plan, we deeply appreciateyour trust and partnership. Together, we are evolvingto meet our shared vision for a brighter tomorrow.

DSACOMMUNITYFOUNDATION.ORG | (218) 726-0232 324 West Superior Street, Suite 700Duluth, Minnesota 55802OF OUR COMMUNITY.ANDINVESTING IN THE