About Us

How did the Foundation begin?

In 2000, former Plymouth Mayor Al Hilde took action to fulfill a dream. Throughout his life he has had a great love and respect for the performing arts and for Plymouth. He wanted to make a meaningful and memorable contribution to the community. Mayor Hilde and his wife Jayne decided to make a $1 million donation toward the “Hilde Performance Center,” an open air amphitheater and stage. The venue serves as home for Music in Plymouth, an annual outdoor concert by the Minnesota Orchestra, as well as other performing arts. The generosity of the Hilde family has established their legacy to the Plymouth community.
At the same time, the City of Plymouth undertook a project at the Plymouth Creek Center known as the “Millennium Garden.” This project is the culmination of funds raised through a combination of many contributions from individual community members and corporate entities, plus financial support from the City of Plymouth.
During this time, Joy Tierney, Plymouth’s mayor at the time, recognized a possible need for others to fulfill their dreams through participation in philanthropic giving. Mayor Tierney assembled a group of residents and civic leaders who worked toward the formation of the Plymouth Community Foundation. The Foundation was officially launched in 2003.

How does the Foundation work?

The Foundation operates under the direction of a voluntary advisory Board of Directors comprised of responsible individuals and is overseen by the charter of the Minnesota Community Foundation. The Board’s responsibilities are to:

• Attract donors by offering a variety of flexible giving options, such as:
  • -   Unrestricted Funds
  • -   Donor Advised Funds
  • -   Designated Funds
  • -   Field of Interest Funds
  • -   Scholarship Funds
• Service the community by working with donors and with grant seekers.
• Distribute funds to eligible causes through the grant-making process.
• Inform the community of the Foundation’s work in order to strengthen public understanding and achieve sustained community support.
• Monitor the financial management of the Foundation assets to ensure maximum return for community needs.
• Seek contributions for the ongoing work and perpetuity of the Foundation.

Officers and Board of Directors

• Jean Hill, Chair
• Larry Brauch, Vice Chair
• Alan Shuler, Treasurer
• Judie Anderson, Secretary
• Steve Beachler
• Bruce Behm
• Judy Daily 
• Tom Davis
• Kari Johnson 
• Susan Johnson
• Bernadette Klein
• Greg Korstad
• Steve McCulloch
• Bill Nelson
• Barbara Willis
• Jim Willis

Trustees

• Cindy Ackerman
• Laurie Ahrens
• Ginny Black
• Dwight Johnson
• Judy Johnson
• Melissa Musliner
• Bob Stein
• Joy Tierney
• Ellen Watson