Minnesotans' Military Appreciation Fund

Minnesotans’ Military Appreciation Fund (MMAF) is a nonprofit and nonpartisan statewide fundraising initiative that provides cash grants to Minnesota service members deployed in combat zones such as Iraq and Afghanistan, and to the families of fallen military personnel.

History

MMAF officially began in August 2005. The effort was organized by the late Eugene Sit and three co-founders. The goal was to offer grants of $500 to every Minnesota military member who had been in a combat zone since 9/11, with $2,000 to $10,000 awarded to each wounded person, depending on the severity of injury, and $5,000 to the families of the fallen.^[1] The fund is believed to be the first of its kind in the nation.^[2] The first-ever MMAF gala featured a keynote by Senator John McCain.^[3]

By 2007, MMAF announced that successful fundraising allowed it to double the amount of grants given to many Minnesota military members from $250 to $500.^[4] In 2008, MMAF planned to award 1,000 more grants.^[5] In March 2010, MMAF issued its 10,000th grant.^[6]

Fundraising

Funding for MMAF has come from a combination of collections boxes, solicited donations and unsolicited contributions from corporations and individuals.^[2]

References

1. ^ Franklin, Robert (11 July 2005) "Grants will say thanks for sacrifice of troops," Star Tribune (Minneapolis), archived on thankmntroops.org
2. ^ ^{a b} Lohn, Martiga (4 August 2005) "New Fund Seeks Money for Troops' Families," Washington Post, archived on thankmntroops.org
3. ^ Medcalf, Myron P. (11 November 2005), "McCain addresses local fundraiser for veterans," Star Tribune (Minneapolis), archived on thankmntroops.org
4. ^ Zdechlik, Mark (28 March 2007) "Fund doubles most grant amounts to Minnesota military," Minnesota Public Radio News Q (Minneapolis).
5. ^ Weber, Tom (26 May 2008) "Group to give out 1,000 more grants to soldiers this year" Minnesota Public Radio News Q (Minneapolis).
6. ^ Brunswick, Mark (12 March 2010) "Military thank-you fund hits milestone" Star Tribune (Minneapolis).