As we build the infrastructure of Children's Lighthouse of Minnesota, it is of utmost importance to our team that our progress be transparent to our community, whether you are a friend, donor, or the children and families we hope to serve. Please bookmark our website and feel free to come back to this page where we will share updates about where we are at in the process of building the dream, including what steps we've completed and where we are headed next. Just like a business, there are countless steps to take before we can build the home, many considerations so that it is done correctly and cautiously, and those of us that are involved do solely on a volunteer level, without compensation. It is our intention to keep this page updated on a monthly basis so you can follow the journey and continue to be informed.

Katie's weeks consist of meetings and conversations on a daily basis as she meets with instrumental community players in the pediatric and community environments, building the vast network of support for CLM. Organizational Board Meetings currently occur on a biweekly level, in addition to other fundraising and strategic planning meetings.

Where we're going:

We are sharing CLM's business plan with businesses and organizations in our community in an effort to build much-needed financial support for this cause. We continue to develop our fundraising strategies for 2013-2015 in hopes to continue to build awareness of this need in our community. 

Where we've been:

• September 2012 - 3rd annual Children's Music Festival - tentatively Sunday, September 30, SAVE THE DATE!
• June 2012 - Fox9 story aired. Benefiting charity of the Nature Valley Bicycle Festival - what an amazing event, thank you for joining us and to our volunteers for their time and energy! Scarlet Says Good-bye book signing at Excelsior Bay Books June 28 with proceeds to CLM. Ann Haering Golf Tournament.
• May 2012 - Article in MN Physician. Added to our board. Volunteer Rally. Accepted $8,000 check from Medford High School, special thanks to that community for all their hard work!
• April 2012 - Mission presentations to local groups continue. If you have interest in having Children's Lighthouse representatives speak, please contact us.
• January - March 2012 - School fundraising including Medford, St. Michael/Albertville and Henry Sibley High Schools, thank you all for being BEACONS!
• December 2011 - Board Strategic Planning session.
• November 2011 - Give to the Max Day - doubled 2010's, thank you for your support and join us for 2012!
• September 2011 - 2nd annual Children's Music Festival at Veterans Memorial Park in Richfield.
• August 2011 - New board members will join us for our board meeting.
• July 2011 - We'll be holding our first fundraising committee meeting to strategize connecting with major donors.
• June 2011 - Community meeting with players in pediatric care across various organizations in an effort to discuss further the need for a children's hospice home in Minnesota and their interest in supporting said efforts. CLM had a booth at the Nature Valley Bicycle Festival Expo, had our first broadcast on MPR by Lorna Benson and continued to meet with potential board and committee members.
• May 2011 - Students from John Glen Middle School in Maplewood presented the need for a children's hospice home to the state government as part of their Civic Project and they won 1st place! We continue to meet with potential board members as we build our team as well as architects; met with our first potential funder, held our first Volunteer Rally at Cretin Derham High School, visited Dr. Bob's Place in Baltimore, MD and met Jenn Holcombe from Congresswoman Betty McCollum's office at the Capital regarding discussions for licensure and reimbursement for the home.
• April 2011 - We had a booth at the MN Network of Hospice and Palliative Care conference, met with potential new board members, continued courses on executive leadership for non-profits at St. Thomas, met the Central MN Community Foundation, met with an architect, investor and construction company as we begin the discussions for building CLM!
• March 2011 - Traveled to the UK on a grant, visited a dozen children's hospices and learn what models can be applied to CLM!
• February 2011 - Focused on developing fundraising strategies for upcoming events in 2011. We will need many volunteers to support our events, if you are interested in volunteering in any way, please contact us!
• January 31, 2011 - Business Plan materials completed, including Needs Assessment and Letters of Support! If you think your company or business would be interested in supporting this cause in our community, please contact us!
• December 16, 2010 - Students from St. Louis Park High School put on an event at Noodles & Co in Calhoun, raised nearly $800!
• December 12, 2010 - Session 3 of strategic planning
• November 16, 2010 - Give to the Max Day, in conjunction with GiveMN.org, raised just shy of $2,000!
• November 14, 2010 - Session 2 of strategic planning
• October 23, 2010 - Session 1 of strategic planning
• October 15, 2010 - Katie and Nadine traveled with Michele from Canuck Place to met with Connor's House team in Philadelphia
• October 14-15, 2010 - Katie and Nadine met with Dr. Bob's team in Baltimore
• October 11-14, 2010 - Katie attended Children's Hospice International conference in Washington, D.C. as a Kirby/CHI Scholar
• October 9, 2010 - Held second fundraiser, Oktoberfest in Robbinsdale, raised approximately $7,000
• October 8-9 - Katie attended MCN Nonprofit State Fair conference in Duluth
• September 26, 2010 - Held first community fundraiser, Children's Music Festival in St. Paul, raised over $11,000
• August 10, 2010 - Katie and Matt drove to Vancouver to visit Canuck Place
• July 29, 2010 - CLM was added to GuideStar
• July 20, 2010 - Launched website
• July 1, 2010 - Received 501(c)3 nonprofit status from the IRS
• May 7, 2010 - Submitted 501(c)3 application to the IRS
• April 2010 - Launched our Facebook page, planning for Oktoberfest began
• March 24, 2010 - Nadine attended MCN/MAP Nonprofit Technology/Communications Conference in Minneapolis on scholarship
• March 2010 - Needs assessment and planning for Children's Music Festival began
• December 2009 - Began work on nonprofit application
• October 15, 2009 - First brochure printed
• September 30, 2009 - Articles of Incorporation were approved by the State of Minnesota
• August 28, 2009 - Landing page launched inviting people to sign up to follow the cause or make a donation
• August 1, 2009 - First formal brainstorming session

For more information

Download our Donor Brochure (PDF)

Click here to learn the difference between CLM and Ronald McDonald (PDF)

If you have any questions about the information presented on this page, please feel free to contact us.