Friends of Downtown Northfield

The Friends of Downtown Northfield works every day to advance the interests of downtown Northfield by working with business and building owners, residents, and other stakeholders.

We are a group of volunteers from across the Northfield community who work to make our community a better place. For the last 22 years, we have filled an important gap by organizing, advocating, and implementing projects to benefit the entire downtown—work that requires financial support of donors like you!

All of these activities took time, energy, and support. Great downtowns don't just happen! They require public and private investment and collaboration between many organizations and individuals. A gift to the Friends will help us work together on a vibrant and vital downtown. 

Our 2026 Initiatives: 

• Third Thursdays (June–September — come on down to Bridge Square!)

• Pride flags on Division Street. 

• Downtown cleanup and weeding 

• Merry Micro-grants & The Holiday Window Display Contest

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Scenes from the Third Thursday Street Dance.

Our Purpose:

Downtown Northfield is special for many reasons, whether it’s a nice stroll along the river in the summer, seeing the well preserved historic buildings, or the magic of winter. We are so fortunate to have a thriving downtown that is busy with events, bustling  stores, and a strong reputation among visitors and residents alike. 

There are many dedicated businesses, organizations, and individuals who are working to keep our Downtown great. That is where we come in. Our strength is helping bring different groups together to accomplish projects. Through events, advocacy, and fundraising we are able to advance that mission. We use a proven model, known as the Main Street America Approach, to help guide this mission and have been annually accredited since 2018. Learn more about our mission and vision here. 

Who Are We: 

The 2026 Board of Directors

The Friends of Downtown Northfield is led by a group of volunteers from many different parts of the community. Our Board of Directors includes local business owners, representatives from community institutions, downtown residents, and others in the community who just want to help.

• Josh Zimmerman (President), Northfield Resident

• Teresa Jensen (Secretary), Northfield Resident

• Logan Wells (Treasurer), Northfield Resident

• Francisco Murillo, Northfield Public Library

• Jane Bartho, Northfield Chamber of Commerce/Convention & Visitors Bureau

• Eden Kaiser, Downtown Resident

• Sean Allen, Northfield History Center

• Vicki Scott, Verbena Vinyl

• Cary Moyer, Ameriprise Financial

• Kim Kocak, Homebody Refill Market

• Trish Brown, Fine Fettle

• Emery John (Main Street Director), City of Northfield, Community Development

Where Your Donations Go: 

As a volunteer organization, we operate a small and nimble budget that is able to focus on programs In 2026 our main focus has been on Third Thursday’s Street Dance, Merry Micro-Grants, Pride Flags Downtown, and Downtown Northfield Promotions. 

• Third Thursday Street Dance - For 4 years we have been happy to bring this fun event to the community. This year we expanded the event by including dancing elements and a flash mob, a partnership with our colleges to bring hundreds of students downtown, and an official program that directed visitors to businesses downtown! Your donation helps keep these events free for the whole community.

Learn More About Third Thursday

• Merry Mirco-Grants & the Holiday Window Contest - One of the most magical feelings is being able to walk downtown and see the beautiful window displays and decorations. It’s a scene out of a Hallmark movie (literally!). This long-standing program of the Friends of Downtown helps our businesses get festive for the season. We also organize a judging panel to rate displays, and celebrate and promote the “winners.” Your donations help fund the grants for the program and cash prizes for the contest.

• Pride Flags Downtown - This year we raised funds to put 40 pride flags around downtown for Pride Month! With these funds we purchased the flagsand the materials for flag poles. Volunteers then assembled the flag poles to give to the City Streets and Parks Department to install. In 2027, we will be upgrading the wooden poles to metal poles. Your donation will go to support these improvements.

Learn More Our Pride Flag Efforts Downtown

Accreditation: 

We have been annually accredited by Main Street America and Rethos/Minnesota Main Streets since 2018. They provide a guide for our operations and programs to create a great downtown. 

The Friends is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, so your contribution is tax-deductible to the fullest extent of the law. You can rest assured we will continue to do all we can to support the people and places that make downtown Northfield so great.