The Minnesota Wild launched the Minnesota Wild Foundation at its home game on Tuesday at the Xcel Energy Center in St Paul.
The organization previously gave back to the community through the Minnesota Sports & Entertainment Community giving fund, which was managed externally by the Minnesota Community Foundation.
Amy Woog Patnode, executive director of the Minnesota Wild Foundation and manager of community relations for the Wild, said that establishing a foundation that's managed internally gives the organization a more formal means to raise money and give back to the community.
“It’s really just a continuum of what our organization felt was important from day one . . . to make certain that we give back in every way possible,” Patnode said in a statement.
The foundation will continue the organization's efforts to make contributions to children’s charities throughout the state through programs includng Wild About Reading, which focuses on Minnesota grade schools and supports supplementary education-based initiatives.
In addition, the Minnesota Wild Foundation will continue to support Minnesota hockey and will provide fundraising opportunities for youth hockey associations across the state.
Pam Wheelock will serve as chair of the foundation's board, which will have 12 members.
Since its inception in 2000, the Minnesota Wild has given more than $3.5 million back to the community. The organization has provided autographed and non-autographed merchandise for local fundraisers and benefits, made contributions to nonprofit organizations, and provided awareness and brand connectivity for smaller nonprofit organizations.
The new foundation will start accepting grant applications during the team’s 2010-2011 season.
