The GiveMN team is made up of some of the most experienced giving day hosts in the country, and we’d love to help you maximize your impact. We all bring our own strengths and expertise, and we’re ready to work alongside you to achieve big things.

The GiveMN team is made up of some of the most experienced giving day hosts in the country, and we’d love to help you maximize your impact. We all bring our own strengths and expertise, and we’re ready to work alongside you to achieve big things.

Tom Zimmerman (he/him) has led 13 statewide online giving day campaigns as a project lead and marketing director which have raised more than $220 million. One of the most tenured giving day leads in the country, Tom believes in the power of giving day administrators to grow giving in their communities and help organizations level-up their year-round fundraising results through building capacity and knowledge through giving day campaigns. 

In addition to Tom’s overall giving day experience, his specialty on the GiveMN team is in all things communication, from organization and donor messaging to media relations, reputation management, crisis planning, data management, and more.

Tom Zimmerman (he/him) has led 13 statewide online giving day campaigns as a project lead and marketing director which have raised more than $220 million. One of the most tenured giving day leads in the country, Tom believes in the power of giving day administrators to grow giving in their communities and help organizations level-up their year-round fundraising results through building capacity and knowledge through giving day campaigns. 

In addition to Tom’s overall giving day experience, his specialty on the GiveMN team is in all things communication, from organization and donor messaging to media relations, reputation management, crisis planning, data management, and more.

Jenna Ray (she/her) leads mission delivery and community connection for both our giving events and coaching programs. Prior to joining GiveMN, Jenna led multiple development teams to record-breaking giving day success. She also launched a fundraising training program designed to help small, volunteer-led organizations carry out successful place-based campaigns. 

A coach-style strategic leader with 20 years’ experience in nonprofit mission delivery, fundraising, strategic communications, and reputation management. Jenna’s an expert in university and community foundation fundraising, and she’s raised tens of millions of dollars for the causes closest to her heart.

Jenna Ray (she/her) leads mission delivery and community connection for both our giving events and coaching programs. Prior to joining GiveMN, Jenna led multiple development teams to record-breaking giving day success. She also launched a fundraising training program designed to help small, volunteer-led organizations carry out successful place-based campaigns. 

A coach-style strategic leader with 20 years’ experience in nonprofit mission delivery, fundraising, strategic communications, and reputation management. Jenna’s an expert in university and community foundation fundraising, and she’s raised tens of millions of dollars for the causes closest to her heart.

 Courtney Backen (she/her) has participated in giving days as both a fundraiser at a local nonprofit and four years as an administrator at GiveMN. Prior to GiveMN, Courtney worked at several Minnesota-based organizations like Friends of the Hennepin County Library, Environment Minnesota, and Minnesota Public Radio.

Now our Give to the Max Day project lead, Courtney oversees giving day strategies and implementation with a specialized focus on capacity building and training for organizations taking part.

 Courtney Backen (she/her) has participated in giving days as both a fundraiser at a local nonprofit and four years as an administrator at GiveMN. Prior to GiveMN, Courtney worked at several Minnesota-based organizations like Friends of the Hennepin County Library, Environment Minnesota, and Minnesota Public Radio.

Now our Give to the Max Day project lead, Courtney oversees giving day strategies and implementation with a specialized focus on capacity building and training for organizations taking part.

 Clara Lind (she/her) oversees curriculum development and our team of fundraising coaches as part of our RaiseMN fundraising coaching initiative. As a coach, she brings a variety of skills facilitating conversations around the intersection of money, wealth, class, and trust. 

Clara approaches philanthropy from a human-first perspective and was drawn to this field because of the immense potential in all of us, both as fundraisers and as community members. 

 Clara Lind (she/her) oversees curriculum development and our team of fundraising coaches as part of our RaiseMN fundraising coaching initiative. As a coach, she brings a variety of skills facilitating conversations around the intersection of money, wealth, class, and trust. 

Clara approaches philanthropy from a human-first perspective and was drawn to this field because of the immense potential in all of us, both as fundraisers and as community members. 

Jake Blumberg (he/him) has been GiveMN’s executive director since 2015 and has a background that spans leadership roles in nonprofits, politics, and higher education. As the senior director of development and community engagement at Open Arms of Minnesota, Jake launched multiple online giving campaigns that raised hundreds of thousands of dollars. As co-finance director of Minnesotans United, he helped lead a multimillion dollar campaign in Minnesota to win the freedom to marry for same sex couples.

His previous experience leading higher education and political fundraising campaigns lend themselves to the world of grassroots giving day support. In addition to his fundraising experience, Jake provides executive-level coaching around budgeting and sustainability, organization leadership and managing teams.

Jake Blumberg (he/him) has been GiveMN’s executive director since 2015 and has a background that spans leadership roles in nonprofits, politics, and higher education. As the senior director of development and community engagement at Open Arms of Minnesota, Jake launched multiple online giving campaigns that raised hundreds of thousands of dollars. As co-finance director of Minnesotans United, he helped lead a multimillion dollar campaign in Minnesota to win the freedom to marry for same sex couples.

His previous experience leading higher education and political fundraising campaigns lend themselves to the world of grassroots giving day support. In addition to his fundraising experience, Jake provides executive-level coaching around budgeting and sustainability, organization leadership and managing teams.

Rainah Ward (she/her) helps nonprofits and schools create tailored coaching and consulting packages, and works closely with clients throughout their engagements to ensure we’re meeting their needs and helping them grow. 

Rainah Ward (she/her) helps nonprofits and schools create tailored coaching and consulting packages, and works closely with clients throughout their engagements to ensure we’re meeting their needs and helping them grow.