Make an Impact as a Board Member or Committee Member
You can volunteer for the Eden Prairie Community Foundation in a number of ways according to your time, talents and interests. Most volunteers serve on the board of directors, a standing committee, or a strategic-planning team.
Current Needs
The Foundation is currently looking for help on many committees and teams where your knowledge and expertise in a particular area is extremely helpful. This is includes knowledge of marketing, fundraising, event planning, diversity, affordable housing, unemployment, and much more. If you can help in any of these areas, please contact info@epcommunityfoundation.org for more information.
Board Members
As an elected volunteer board member, you would serve one or two three-year terms and have a number of specific governing responsibilities. Those responsibilities include duties to exercise reasonable care when making decisions, complying with governing documents, and assuring the financial accountability of the organization. Check out the position description to learn more.
Committee or Team Members
Serving on a committee or team is a great way to support the Foundation if board service is not for you. Many of the Foundation’s committees have non-board members on them. This is a great way to learn what the Foundation is and what it does, and to give back to Eden Prairie in a meaningful way.
Some committees and teams meet monthly; others meet just a few times per year, depending on duties. Here’s an overview of our need for committee and team volunteers:
Development & Marketing COMMITTEE MEMBERS – Help plan, implement, and oversee the Foundation’s annual Development and Communications plans. Committee members may be involved in activities such as donor engagement and advising on marketing. Experience in fundraising, marketing, or communications is helpful but not required. Committee meets six times per year.
NOMINATING & GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE MEMBERS – Help plan, implement, and oversee the Foundation’s talent pipeline; coordinate the nomination and election of board members and officers; ensure a strong board and orderly transition of leadership; evaluate board composition and needs, and oversees governance topics such as conflict of interest and confidentiality. Past nonprofit leadership experience is helpful but not required. Committee meets several times per year, most notably in the spring to begin reviewing candidates for board election.
FINANCE & INVESTMENT COMMITTEE MEMBERS – Help monitor the Foundation’s financial status and oversee: budgeting, accounting, and reporting systems; the independent auditor in preparation of annual audit and tax returns; and investment-related policies and performance reviews. Experience in finance or accounting is helpful but not required. Committee meets monthly.
GRANTS COMMITTEE MEMBERS – Help oversee and direct grant-making and scholarship activities, including policies, guidelines, application and selection procedures, and grant award evaluations. A passion for giving back to Eden Prairie is helpful. Committee meets 2-4 times per year, mostly January through March.
EVENTS COMMITTEE MEMBERS – Help plan, implement, and oversee current fundraising events and non-revenue events, and explore opportunities for new events that advance the Foundation’s mission. Experience in event planning or marketing is helpful but not required. Committee meets as needed, typically 4-6 times before major events.
DEI Committee MEMBERS – Help plan, implement, and oversee the “Diversity” portion of the Strategic Plan by focusing on board development and uniting the community on this topic. Knowledge of diversity, equity, and inclusion topics is helpful but not required. Team meets monthly.
HUB AMBASSADORS – Help the Hub KSI Team by serving as the one of about a dozen volunteer ambassadors – each of whom develops relationships with 6-8 other nonprofits or civic organizations – and serves as a liaison between these groups and the Foundation, and between these groups and other organizations in the hub. A playbook and training are provided. Ambassadors typically meet monthly as a group and spend another hour or two per week reaching out to their organizations.
Many of these volunteer roles involve help executing the Foundation’s Strategic Plan. Download this summary to find out what our Strategic Plan is all about:
EPCF Strategic Plan Summary (PDF)
Event Volunteers
Interesting in an opportunity requiring a little less time? Volunteer at one of our two main annual events, EP Gives and Prairie Brewfest.
EP GIVES ANNUAL BENEFIT GALA – Our annual gala with program, dinner, and live and silent auctions provides community members with a fun night out and an opportunity to hear about the impact the Foundation is making in Eden Prairie. This major annual fundraiser is a decades-long tradition with all proceeds supporting the Foundation’s continued work in our community. Each year, about 20 volunteers are needed to make the event a success. Opportunities include: Greeter, Event check-in, Check-out table, Auction donation procurement, and more.
PRAIRIE BREWFEST – This annual craft beer festival is an opportunity for the community to have a good time while doing good. It is one of our major annual fundraising events, with all proceeds supporting our community-building work in Eden Prairie. Each year, more than 50 volunteers are needed to make the event a success. Opportunities include: Event check-in, vendor host, water table host, event set up and take down, and more.
For more information about volunteering, contact info@epcommunityfoundation.org.