Friday Morning Welcome and Opening Plenary Session

Building a Stronger Nonprofit Sector

The original goal of MCN was to bring together the broad spectrum of Minnesota nonprofits across all activity areas – arts, human services, education, health, and the environment. Twenty five years ago these organizations were seen as so different that they didn't have enough in common to speak with a united voice. Today, MCN is the largest state association in the nation and Minnesota’s nonprofits rank at or near the top of almost every measure of nonprofit activity, volunteerism, and charitable support. Most importantly, the collective impact of Minnesota’s nonprofits is a defining feature of the state and the sector here, woven into the fabric of every community. Minnesota’s nonprofits are integral to what communities have and offer, and demonstrate what people can do together.

Jon Pratt, founder and executive director of the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits, and Marcia Avner, senior fellow, past public policy director, and founding board member of the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits will talk about origins and original goals of MCN and host a town hall meeting on the next stage of how the sector can change the future.