Foundation receives Court approval following regular review

GRAND RAPIDS, Minn. (Dec. 1, 2009)–Ramsey County District Court approved on Nov. 20, 2009, the petition of the Charles K. Blandin Residuary Trust for approval of its accounts and also reviewed the Blandin Foundation’s commitments to the Itasca County area for the years 2006-2008.

In accordance with Charles K. Blandin’s will, every three years Ramsey County District Court reviews the accounts of the trust created upon his death that funds the Blandin Foundation. Trust and Foundation leadership reported to the Court that the Trust had provided $56.8 million in funds for the Foundation over the reporting period.

The Blandin Foundation also reported to the Court that over the past six years 76% of the Foundation’s grant-making had been in the Grand Rapids and Itasca County area, exceeding the Foundation’s commitment of a 55% average. Over the next year, the Trust and Foundation will continue to discuss with the Court ways to ensure stable grant-making in the Grand Rapids area in times of exceptionally bad or good economic conditions.

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Blandin Foundation, Minnesota’s largest rural-based private foundation is located in Grand Rapids, Minn. Its mission is to strengthen rural Minnesota communities, especially the Grand Rapids area, through grants, leadership development programs and public policy initiatives. www.blandinfoundation.org.

For additional information, contact:

Allison Rajala Ahcan

Director of Communications, Blandin Foundation

arahcan@blandinfoundation.org, direct: 218-327-8717, cell: 218-259-2893