Virginia McKnight Binger - Heart of Community Honor 2025 Celebrating people who are the pulse of Minnesota’s caring and connected communities. Do you know an inspiring individual who makes their community a much better place to be? Use this form to honor them by submitting a nomination for the 2025 Virginia McKnight Binger Heart of Community Honor. Each honoree receives $10,000 in recognition of the significant impact they have had on the state of Minnesota and its communities.Award CriteriaEligible nominees have had a considerable impact in their community or across the state and have not been widely recognized or awarded for their efforts in the past. Nominees should demonstrate one or more of the following criteria: Contributes significantly to creating a more just, creative, and abundant future for their community or other communities in Minnesota through their work or service. Builds a more inclusive and equitable Minnesota where everyone, regardless of the color of their skin, the zip code of their birth, or who they love, belongs and has the opportunity to thrive. Bridges across divides to foster understanding and strengthen meaningful community connections and benefits. Only current residents of Minnesota are eligible.Nominations ProcessPlease reach out to the Minnesota Council on Foundations with questions about this nomination form by emailing Jill Chi, member engagement manager, jchi@mcf.org. Nominations must be made by individuals other than the nominee. Nominations will be accepted through May 15, 2025. In 2024, the Minnesota Council on Foundations is partnering with the McKnight Foundation to celebrate the Virginia McKnight Binger Heart of Community Honors. Question Title * 1. Nominee Information First name (given name) Last name (surname) Email Phone Question Title * 2. Nominee Location (County) Aitkin County Anoka County Becker County Beltrami County Benton County Big Stone County Blue Earth County Brown County Carlton County Carver County Cass County Chippewa County Chisago County Clay County Clearwater County Cook County Cottonwood County Crow Wing County Dakota County Dodge County Douglas County Faribault County Fillmore County Freeborn County Goodhue County Grant County Hennepin County Houston County Hubbard County Isanti County Itasca County Jackson County Kanabec County Kandiyohi County Kittson County Koochiching County Lac qui Parle County Lake County Lake of the Woods County Le Sueur County Lincoln County Lyon County McLeod County Mahnomen County Marshall County Martin County Meeker County Mille Lacs County Morrison County Mower County Murray County Nicollet County Nobles County Norman County Olmsted County Otter Tail County Pennington County Pine County Pipestone County Polk County Pope County Ramsey County Red Lake County Redwood County Renville County Rice County Rock County Roseau County St. Louis County Scott County Sherburne County Sibley County Stearns County Steele County Stevens County Swift County Todd County Traverse County Wabasha County Wadena County Waseca County Washington County Watonwan County Wilkin County Winona County Wright County Yellow Medicine County Question Title * 3. Nominee Organizational Affiliation With what organization is the nominee affiliated? (Please write N/A if not applicable.) How is the nominee affiliated with the organization? (Please write N/A if not applicable.) Question Title * 4. Describe the efforts for which the individual is being nominated. Please provide specific examples of how the nominee has created change, removed barriers, and/or created a positive impact on Minnesota and its communities? (Limit: 500 words or about one page.) Question Title * 5. Your Information First name (given name) Last name (surname) Organization affiliation (if not applicable, please write N/A) Email Phone Relationship with nominee Question Title * 6. Two references: please list two references who can speak about this person. Full name of first reference #1 phone #1 email Full name of second reference #2 phone #2 email Submit Nomination