Edina Community Foundation

What Edina Community Foundation does

Edina Community Foundation (ECF) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit community foundation incorporated in 1977 under the joint auspices of the Edina City Council and Edina Board of Education, headquartered in Edina, Minnesota. Originally named The Edina Foundation, it was renamed Edina Community Foundation in 2002 when the Board of Education established its own Edina Education Fund and the joint founding bodies released board-appointment rights, broadening the board to be representative of the broader Edina community. ECF's mission is to "serve, strengthen, and celebrate" Edina, and it does so through three principal lines of activity: direct community programs, civic event stewardship, and incubation of local nonprofits. Its primary customers are Edina residents (especially under-resourced families qualifying for ConnectBenefits), the 80+ nonprofits operating under its Community Impact Program umbrella, and the broader Edina civic community that participates in its events and volunteer ecosystem.

ECF's core offerings are the Connect Card scholarship program (launched August 2016, with 260 active cards as of June 2024 linking families to nine partner organizations including Edina Parks & Recreation, Edina Basketball Association, Edina Baseball Association, Edina Football Association, Edina Lacrosse Association, Edina Ultimate, Edina Volleyball Association, and Edina Girls Athletic Association); the Community Impact Program (fiscal and operational incubator for 80+ local nonprofits spanning arts, sports, neighborhood groups, and memorial funds); Edina Reads (literacy programs, writing contests, neighborhood book clubs); Meal with a Mentor (youth mentorship pairing adults with 15–20-year-olds); and signature civic events including the 4th of July Parade (20,000–25,000 attendees), Connecting with Kids Leadership Breakfast (18+ years running, 118 honorees), Veterans Dinner, and the Lucky Duck Race. ECF does not develop proprietary technology; its "platform" is the partner-coordination infrastructure across the nine Connect Card partners and 80+ Community Impact Partners, and the foundation explicitly states no technology product is offered.

ECF's revenue model is donation- and sponsorship-driven across four streams: individual donations (online via PayPal or by check to general or program-specific funds), tiered corporate sponsorships (Hometown Heroes through Community Benefactors), event-based fundraising (4th of July Parade, Lucky Duck Race, wine tastings, fashion events), and operational/fiduciary services provided to the 80+ nonprofits under the Community Impact Program. The foundation operates with two paid staff (Program Manager Betsy Brock; Donor Services and Office Manager Siena Shull) and is governed by a volunteer board, with the Mayor of Edina (Jim Hovland) currently serving on the board. ECF files Form 990 annually, is audited by Ellingson & Ellingson, and files a Charitable Organization Annual Report with the Minnesota Attorney General on a July 1–June 30 fiscal year. No specific revenue figure is publicly disclosed.

Name

Edina Community Foundation

Legal name

Edina Community Foundation

Website

https://edinacommunityfoundation.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1977

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Edina Community Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit based in Edina, Minnesota (founded 1977) that operates the Connect Card scholarship program serving under-resourced families, incubates more than 80 local nonprofits via its Community Impact Program, and hosts signature civic events including the annual 4th of July Parade.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Foundation Services

NAICS

Grantmaking and Giving Services (81321)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Community Foundations (BPAGAKAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Education Grantmaking Foundations (BPAGAKAK), Fundraising & Annual Giving (EDALAOAB)

Keywords

• Community foundation services
• Nonprofit incubation
• Scholarship access programs
• Community event management
• Charitable fund management

Headquarters

HQ city

Minnesota City

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: The foundation accepts donations from individuals to its general fund or specific programs. Donations can be made online via PayPal or by check.
2. Corporate Sponsorships: Corporate sponsors support ECF events and programs at various levels (Hometown Heroes, Hometown Champions, Leadership Circle, Heritage Circle, Founders Circle, Community Builders, Community Benefactors).
3. Event Fundraising: ECF generates revenue through events such as the Lucky Duck Race, wine tastings, fashion fundraisers, and other community gatherings.
4. Community Impact Program Fees: ECF provides operational services and financial management to 80+ local nonprofits through its Community Impact Program, helping them serve the community.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Edina Community Foundation is a nonprofit community foundation that creates and operates programs connecting Edina residents, supporting under-resourced families through the Connect Card scholarship program, incubating 80+ local nonprofits via the Community Impact Program, and hosting signature community events including the 4th of July Parade (20,000-25,000 attendees), Veterans Dinner, Lucky Duck Race, and Connecting with Kids Leadership Breakfast. The foundation also runs Edina Reads (literacy) and Meal with a Mentor (youth mentoring) programs.

Product overview

Edina Community Foundation is a nonprofit organization that operates as a community foundation rather than a technology company. The foundation offers a portfolio of community programs including the Connect Card (a scholarship access program), Community Impact Program (nonprofit incubator supporting 80+ organizations), Edina Reads (literacy initiative), Meal with a Mentor (youth mentoring), and hosts signature events including the Edina 4th of July Parade (20,000+ attendees), Connecting with Kids Leadership Breakfast, and Lucky Duck Race. The foundation does not offer a software product, technology platform, or SaaS solution.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Connect Card Program A program that provides youth and families an easy way to access existing community funds and discounts for extracurricular activities in Edina. Families can apply for the Connect Card to access scholarship dollars from nine partnering organizations including Edina Parks & Recreation, Edina Basketball Association, and Edina Girls Athletic Association.
• Community Impact Program A program that serves as the charitable giving partner for independent community organizations, incubating nonprofits by providing operational services, financial management, and guidance. Supports more than 80 local nonprofits including arts and sports organizations, neighborhood groups, and memorial funds.
• Edina Reads A literacy program offering speaker programs, annual writing contests, and neighborhood book clubs to promote reading and literary engagement in the Edina community.
• Meal with a Mentor Program A mentoring program that links adults with youth aged 15-20 for lunch, offering opportunities for seasoned professionals to make a difference in the lives of young people.
• Edina 4th of July Parade The foundation's most well-known event, attracting 20,000-25,000 attendees each July 4th. ECF raises funds and steers the planning committee that handles logistics, entertainment, community group registration, and volunteer coordination.
• Connecting with Kids Leadership Breakfast An annual event held each March recognizing Edina youth and adults who mentor or uplift children. Over 18 years of this program, 118 adults and students have been recognized at these leadership awards.
• Lucky Duck Race An annual fundraising event featuring rubber ducks racing down Minnehaha Creek. The third annual race was held July 17, 2025, at Arden Park.
• Veterans Dinner An annual event held the night before the 4th of July Parade, celebrating veterans with dinner, speakers, music, and companionship to honor community veterans and their families.

Quantifiable outcome

• 260 active Connect Cards as of June 2024 connecting youth to extracurricular scholarships
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• City of Edina (Edina Parks & Recreation)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerConnect Card program partner offering $300/family per year for program registration, memberships, season passes, community garden, or special events for qualifying families.
• Edina Basketball AssociationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerConnect Card holders receive free participation in K-12 in-house and recreational leagues, with EBA covering travel fees for qualifying players.
• Edina Baseball AssociationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerConnect Card holders pay $50 in registration fees for all programs including travel league, recreational league, and Legion baseball.
• Edina Football AssociationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerConnect Card holders play for free in flag football (2nd-3rd grade, 6th-12th grade) and tackle football (4th-8th grade).
• Edina Lacrosse AssociationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerConnect Card holders receive program benefits for K-8th grade boys and girls lacrosse programs.
• Edina Ultimate (Frisbee)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerConnect Card holders get registration fee, USA Ultimate fee, and uniforms paid for by the Ultimate program with potential travel cost assistance.
• Edina Volleyball AssociationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerConnect Card holders receive reduced fees for all 4th-11th grade girls volleyball programs.
• Edina Girls Athletic AssociationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegistration fees fully covered for Connect Card holders in spring volleyball, kickball, fall flag football, and Run Club programs.
• Edina Community Foundation Community Impact Partners (80+ nonprofits)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerECF provides incubator services to 80+ local nonprofits including arts and sports organizations, neighborhood groups, and memorial funds through its Community Impact Program.
• Annie's Army/Get Girls GolfingminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCommunity Impact Partner operating under ECF umbrella.
• Anti-Racism CollectiveminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCommunity Impact Partner focused on anti-racism initiatives in Edina.
• Bluebirds & BloomsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFormer Community Impact Partner that transitioned to its own 501(c)(3) in 2020. Delivered 13,000+ bouquets of repurposed flowers to care centers and was featured on CBS This Morning in 2019.
• Edina Asian American AllianceminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCommunity Impact Partner hosting AAPI Month Festival celebrating Asian Edina/Minnesota cultures.
• MN Sled Hockey AssociationminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCommunity Impact Partner providing sled hockey programs.
• Minnesota Wild Deaf/Hard of Hearing HockeyminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCommunity Impact Partner supporting deaf and hard of hearing hockey programs.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• Greater Kansas City Community Foundation: Mid-size U.S. community foundation running comparable grantmaking, donor services, and community-impact initiatives; useful scale benchmark for ECF.
• The Cleveland Foundation: One of the oldest and largest U.S. community foundations; operates a similar model of grantmaking, donor-advised funds, and community programs but at substantially greater scale.
• Tulsa Community Foundation: Innovative community foundation known for donor services and community programs; comparable in operating model to ECF with broader geographic reach.

Direct peers

• Minneapolis Foundation: Large Minnesota-based community foundation serving the Minneapolis metro with grantmaking, donor services, and nonprofit incubation — directly comparable in mission, geography (overlapping with Edina metro), and operating model.
• Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation: Minnesota-based community foundation focused on grantmaking and community impact across the Twin Cities region; closest geographic and operational peer to ECF.
• Greater Cedar Rapids Community Foundation: Mid-size community foundation serving a single metropolitan area with grantmaking, scholarships, and nonprofit support — comparable scope and scale to ECF.
• Rochester Area Foundation: Minnesota-based community foundation of similar small-to-mid size serving a single city/region with grantmaking and community programs; closest size-and-geography peer to ECF.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/EdinaFoundation
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCT-g4DTDI0Z3Gb2iOWDMffQ
• Facebookfacebook.com/edinacommunityfoundation
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/edina-community-foundation
• Instagraminstagram.com/edinacommunityfoundation

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Edina Community Foundation