Minnesota CHILL Foundation

09/01/2026

I started my day with gratitude—honoring some of the incredible people who show up every day to make a difference in the lives of our youth.

It’s been a long time since I’ve been at Caribou Coffee at 6:00 AM, but today I was honored to make that early morning coffee run for 175 amazing staff members at Champlin Park High School!

This was our small way of saying THANK YOU for all you do to make sure our students have the support, opportunities, encouragement, and guidance they need to succeed—not only in school, but in life.

And a very special thank you to my grandchildren, Cinco and Scarlet, for getting up early to help Nana this morning! It made the moment even more special knowing their dad, my son “Chuckie,” Mr. Hill, now serves as an assistant principal at the very high school he once attended.

To the entire Champlin Park High School staff: we see you, we appreciate you, and we thank you for investing in our young people every single day. ❤️

08/25/2026

MCF Co-Founder Cindy Hill is using decades of business experience to help open doors for the next generation of entrepreneurs. After moving one of her businesses into the Brooklyn Park small business center, Cindy saw an opportunity to do more than grow her own companies. She began sharing her knowledge and experience with entrepreneurs navigating the challenges of business ownership, from developing business plans and securing certifications to marketing, licensing, insurance, and online sales.

For Cindy, success is not just about what she has built. It is also about helping others see what is possible for themselves. Her mentorship and encouragement are helping entrepreneurs move from an idea to a thriving business, while showing them that they belong in these spaces too. As she continues to invest in entrepreneurs and the Brooklyn Park business community, Cindy is proving that sometimes the greatest measure of success is how many people you help rise with you.

Brooklyn Park launched BUILD in Brooklyn Park to raise the Small Business Center’s profile and connect entrepreneurs with resources as occupancy and revenue grow.

08/12/2026

Yesterday marked the first backpack giveaway of the year in Brooklyn Park. It took place during Good in the Hood at Zanewood Recreation Center. For four years, Minnesota CHILL Foundation has helped local youth start school prepared and confident. We believe every child deserves the tools they need to succeed.

We are grateful to the Greater Twin Cities United Way for providing backpacks filled with supplies for the past two years. Before that partnership, our foundation purchased and assembled the backpacks ourselves. We are proud to continue this effort because supporting our youth means investing in their future.

Our commitment does not end when the school year begins. Midway through the year, we also provide schools with supplies to help replenish what students need. This is what community looks like when we consistently show up for our children.

08/11/2026

CHILL Tech Launches AI Learning Series at The Wood

The Minnesota CHILL Foundation successfully launched the first session of its CHILL Tech AI Learning Series @ The Wood, introducing local youth to the exciting possibilities of artificial intelligence inside the Best Buy Teen Tech Center at The Wood in Brooklyn Park. These sessions are led by Chuck Hill, co-founder of the Minnesota CHILL Foundation.

The opening session gave participants hands-on experience with AI tools while encouraging creativity, innovation, and confidence in emerging technology. More than just learning about artificial intelligence, students began exploring skills that can prepare them for future careers, entrepreneurship, and digital content creation.

This milestone was made possible through a meaningful partnership with Allianz Technology. Special thanks to Ralph Tillman, Senior Information Technology Manager at Allianz Technology of America, whose leadership helped establish this collaboration.

The Minnesota CHILL Foundation is honored to be the first community organization selected to partner with Allianz Technology of America through this initiative, reflecting a shared commitment to expanding access to technology and preparing the next generation for success in a digital world. The Minnesota CHILL Foundation is proud to be the first organization selected to receive 25-laptop donations, each quarter, to support the CHILL Tech program.

This partnership represents more than an investment in equipment—it is an investment in opportunity, innovation, and the future of young people in our community. By working together, the Minnesota CHILL Foundation and Allianz Technology of America are helping ensure that youth have access to the tools, experiences, and mentorship needed to succeed in an ever-changing technology landscape.

Having a globally recognized technology company invest in this initiative is a powerful affirmation of the importance of creating opportunities that equip young people with the tools, technology, and skills needed to thrive in tomorrow's workforce.

This is only the beginning, and the future is bright for the next generation of innovators at The Wood.

08/06/2026

Some opportunities create memories. Others plant seeds that continue growing long after the day is over.

We are incredibly grateful to the Thielen Foundation for another unforgettable day at Valleyfair, where 100 young people and leaders from Zanewood Recreation Center and the CHILL Basketball Program came together to celebrate, connect, and simply enjoy being kids. After dedicating themselves through volunteer service, this experience became a well-earned reminder that commitment and character are always worth investing in.

One of the highlights of the day was spending time with hometown hero Adam Thielen, whose Q&A encouraged our youth to dream bigger, work harder, and believe that success is built through discipline, resilience, and service.

Partnerships like this matter because they extend far beyond a single event. They create experiences that inspire confidence, strengthen community, and remind our young people that they are seen, valued, and capable of achieving great things.

We are honored to partner with organizations like the Thielen Foundation whose commitment to empowering young people aligns so closely with our mission of preparing the next generation for success in life.

08/06/2026

Zanewood held its first Youth & Family Anti-Violence Game Night at The Wood on July 23rd, this event brought Brooklyn Park families together for an evening of fun, connection, and community.

The turnout exceeded expectations. Families enjoyed board games, card games, video games, food, prizes, and, most importantly, quality time together. Parents also had the opportunity to connect with one another, building relationships that strengthen the community beyond the event itself.

The evening reflected our Foundation's ongoing commitment to showing up for Brooklyn Park's youth and creating safe spaces where young people feel supported, valued, and encouraged.

Special thanks to Pam McBride, Brad Tullberg and the team at the Wood Teen Center, for putting this event together. Along with Shelle Page for her continued commitment to showing up and dedication to investing in the youth and families of Brooklyn Park.

07/21/2026

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲𝐭𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐫 𝐁𝐞𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐌𝐢𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧⁣
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Some people spend their careers telling stories. Others spend their lives making sure the right stories are heard. Dawn Stevens has always done both.⁣
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After years of serving our community as a trusted FOX 9 morning news anchor, Dawn has continued using her voice and her passion for people in new ways. Through MN Podcast Studio, she and her husband have created a space where organizations, entrepreneurs, and changemakers can share their stories with excellence and authenticity. Her career may have evolved, but her commitment to uplifting people and communities has never changed.⁣
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At the MN CHILL Foundation, we're incredibly grateful for Dawn's continued support. From interviewing our longtime supporters and emceeing our Golf Tournament Fundraiser to helping capture the heart of our mission through her team's production, she brought the same professionalism, warmth, and dedication that so many have admired throughout her career.⁣
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Dawn, thank you for believing in what we do and for helping us amplify the stories that matter most. Your generosity, encouragement, and commitment to our youth continue to make a lasting impact, and we're honored to have you as part of the MN CHILL Foundation family.

Check-out their thoughtful post about the foundation here:
https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=pfbid0cqduQx2218k8mFXJD7pcbWg8QTnSR8wLUVedniPYo7nQQYA84DSDGRrQgVy5keBWl&id=61574205184164

We provide academic programming for the purpose of educating student scholars for future success.

07/13/2026

Some of the most important people at any event are the ones who are rarely standing in the spotlight.

To every volunteer who gave your time, your energy, and your heart, THANK YOU for making this tournament feel so welcoming from beginning to end.

Whether you greeted guests, helped behind the scenes, solved last-minute challenges, or simply stepped in wherever you were needed, your kindness never went unnoticed. The experience our guests enjoyed was possible because of people like you.

Please know how deeply appreciated you are. We are incredibly thankful for every hour you gave and every smile you shared throughout the day.

07/13/2026

One of the greatest blessings of this work has been discovering just how many incredible people surround us. To our friends and neighbors, thank you for continuing to show up, not because you have to, but because you genuinely care.

Communities aren't built through big moments alone. They're built through people who continue saying yes, offering encouragement, lending a hand, and believing that together we can accomplish far more than any one of us could alone.

Thank you for walking beside us, believing in what we're building, and reminding us that home is much more than a place. It's the people who continue showing up for one another.

07/13/2026

To every incredible woman who joined us on the course, thank you for bringing your joy, your laughter, and your beautiful spirit to this year's tournament. Watching women encourage one another, celebrate each other, and simply enjoy the day together was one of my favorite parts of the event.

There is something special about women who choose community over competition. You reminded all of us that showing up with kindness, confidence, and authenticity is a gift that leaves a lasting impression.

Thank you for making this year's tournament brighter simply by being part of it. We truly hope we'll see every one of you back on the course next year.