Newbanks Named Director of Development
LITTLE FALLS, MINN.–The Initiative Foundation announced today that Carl Newbanks, accredited Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) and Fellow in Charitable Estate Planning (FCEP), has been promoted to the director of development position.
Newbanks previously served as the Foundation’s grants and development manager. Before joining the Foundation, he served as the director of program development and community relations at United Cerebral Palsy of Central Minnesota.
Newbanks will lead the development team, which includes donor relations, planned giving, the Foundation’s Community Philanthropy program and its grant-writing initiatives. The Community Philanthropy program includes nearly 130 hosted Partner Funds for families, businesses, nonprofit organizations and volunteer-led groups. So far in 2022, Partner Funds have awarded 236 grants for a total of nearly $1 million.
“I am very passionate about my work at the Foundation,” Newbanks said. “I am thankful to be an advocate for donors and to guide them on the path to creative giving solutions to support a stronger, more vibrant Central Minnesota.”
Each year, more than 2,000 donors support the Initiative Foundation’s mission to empower people throughout Central Minnesota to build a thriving economy, vibrant communities and a lasting culture of generosity. Many of these generous donors belong to the Community Builders Circle, giving $1,000 or more annually to support the Foundation’s programs and its general endowment.
“Carl is an expert connector and a highly regarded member of our talented team,” said Matt Varilek, Initiative Foundation president. “We are excited to welcome him to this new role, and I invite generous people to reach out to Carl about how we can partner in support of their philanthropic dreams for our region.”
Newbanks has served as a board member of the Sauk Rapids-Rice Education Foundation, a Partner Fund of the Initiative Foundation, for six years. He’s also a Top Hat Ambassador for the St. Cloud Chamber of Commerce and a past member of the Sauk Rapids Chamber of Commerce, where he served as chair for one year. Newbanks belongs to the Minnesota Gift Planning Association, Leave a Legacy MN, the Central Minnesota Leave a Legacy Committee and the Grants Professionals Association. He and his family make their home in Sauk Rapids.