Bill and Jessie Baer

Business owners, volunteers, leaders, parents – these words describe Bill and Jessie Baer. They believed that people are what make a community and they need to have the tools that help to make a community thrive. Time and energy were given by the Baers. Working with the foundation, they made a lasting gift in the form of a $750,000 charitable remainder trust that provided financial support to charitable, educational, healthcare, and economic programs and activities. Beneficiaries included the Northwest Minnesota Foundation, North County Health Services Foundation, Bemidji State University Foundation and the Bemidji Area Public Library  Foundation.

Arnold F. Lund, Sr.

Arnold Lund always believed that a person should do the best they can with what is bestowed upon them. He worked hard with the Lake of the Woods Industrial Development Corporation and the foundation. Using his skills and the passion he had for the Baudette community, he led the effort to attract new business and industry to the Lake of the Woods area. Lund donated over $500,000 through outright and planned gifts to estalished LOW Area Industrial Development Funds and an Industrial Park Fund, as well as leveraging other funding for the programs.