Skip to main content

Philanthropic advisor Shannon Gahagan and program officer Sharon DeMark share how our team's special collaboration can help inform your giving.

Here at the Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation, our Philanthropic Services team and Community Impact team partner with each other to inspire generosity among our donors and support nonprofits throughout Minnesota and beyond.

“When we’re working with individuals and families who are trying to find organizations doing innovative, right-now work in our community, the philanthropic advisors at the Foundation work with the program officer team quite closely, because they are really the experts, and we like to be able to take advantage of their knowledge and having in-house resources,” philanthropic advisor Shannon Gahagan says.

“And then they know their donors,” Community Impact program officer Sharon DeMark adds.

“So it’s a great way for us to do some matchmaking, which is really exciting because I think for the nonprofits, they gain more supporters, more champions for their work, and for the donors, they find out about really interesting work that’s really community-based, that’s doing amazing work that they might not have known about.”

video poster

Learn more about why working with a community foundation like the Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation offers unique benefits for our donors.

More Stories

Faith in Action: ISAIAH’s Blueprint for a Multicultural Democracy

A multiracial, multi-faith coalition empowers Minnesotans to shape their communities and secure lasting change.

Watch the video

Meeting the Moment: How the Foundation Expanded Community Support in a Critical Year

A one-time, twenty percent increase in dollars granted reflects the Foundation’s commitment to community-driven solutions, urgent needs and long-term equity.

See the impact

Leading a Path Forward: How Queen Drea Uses Music to Find Her Roots

Sound alchemist Queen Drea seeks reconnection with her family’s heritage through music and storytelling.

See the project

Fall 2025 Food Assistance: What You Can Do

Nonprofits, community partners and food shelves are working swiftly to provide resources to fill in the gap as best they can.

View the list

Fall Harvest: Food Support Nonprofits

Meet a few of our nonprofit partners that provide food access and hunger relief services to the East Metro.

View the list

Strengthening Democracy: Community Voices and Civic Engagement in Minnesota

Here’s how philanthropy, local leadership and trusted news can shape Minnesota’s democratic future.

See the Highlights

Finding Common Ground: Facilitating Cultural Change Workshop

Changing my perspective has changed my approach to finding common ground and building community.

See the Highlights

Brass Solidarity: Bringing Music to George Floyd Square

Trumpet player Butchy Austin and his band, Brass Solidarity, use their sound for good every Monday in George Floyd Square.

See the project

GET MONTHLY STORIES, NEWS AND UPDATES

JOIN
US!

* Indicates a required field