Episode 6: Why Local Community Foundations Matter

We live in challenging times. Our struggling economy is not picking sides – we are all affected in some way or another. Our national discourse has never been so polarized.

Is there any hope for the future?

According to our guest this week, there is much to be hopeful for. Steve Joul is the president of the Central Minnesota Community Foundation located in St. Cloud, MN. Everyday, local community foundations are making a difference in the communities they serve. As we explore during our conversation with Steve, community foundations are working diligently to make the place we call home the best in can be. They do so, by being connected to the fabric of the place they serve; they do so by caring about the future and by facilitating local philanthropy.

About Steve Joul

Steve Joul has been president of the Central Minnesota Community Foundation for 14 years. Prior to this, Steve served as the Director of Development for the Northwest Minnesota Foundation. Steve has a degree in economics from the University of Minnesota and is a past fellow and participant of the Humphrey Institute Policy Forum.

Steve currently serves on the national board for CF Leads which promotes community leadership among community foundations. He serves on the board and as current board chair of the Charities Review Council and is also a member of the Government Relations Committee of the Minnesota Council on Foundations. Steve participated in the first year of the Community Foundation Fellowship International Exchange program sponsored by the German Marshall Fund and also served as chair for CEOnet which is a national association for community foundation CEO’s.