Philanthrofund

1409 Willow Street, Minneapolis, MN

While planning their respective estates, David Berchenbriter, Jim Quinn, Gregory White, and Bill Zwarft collectively sought a foundation for GLBT scholarship and service. The four friends did not find such an organization in Minnesota, and they decided to create one in December of 1987. Eight community members formed a board of directors; Philanthrofund was born.

“PFund” initially offered humble grants and scholarships—White noted $50 as “a major grant” in 1988—and the annual endowment initially amounted to $1,500 dollars. Like any other foundation, it creates this money by investing donated funds and accruing the profits of the investments. Unlike other foundations, PFund predominantly uses a collection of small and medium-sized donations—it does not rely on major one-time donations.

The organization’s early success is remarkable if one considers that it began during the AIDS crisis—many in the community felt financially and emotionally burdened by HIV/AIDS-related causes. Volunteers and donors similarly wanted to express the organization’s message: “we are strong enough to take care of our own.” In 1990—just three years since its inception—PFund’s endowment increased to $8,000 dollars and it joined the Minnesota Council of Foundations. Calliope Women’s chorus, the Minnesota AIDS Project, and a number of University of Minnesota campuses were among the 13 recipients.