Minnesota Charities Review Council records

The Minnesota Charities Review Council was founded as the Minnesota Community Research Council in August, 1946. The Council received initial funding of $60,000 from the Minnesota War Service Fund, which was ending operations. J. Cameron Thomson, president of the Northwest Bancorporation and former chairman of the National War Fund Quota Committee, was appointed director in 1946 and served in that position for many years. He and others were convinced that Minnesota was expected to contribute a disproportionate share to support national organizations because of the state's history of generous giving. Consequently, one of the council's initial concerns was with setting appropriate quotas for support from local community chests and other fund-raising campaigns.

By the mid-1950's, the council had shifted its emphasis to analyzing charities and their appeals for funds. A local controversy regarding the Sister Kenney Institute and other similar incidents contributed to this change in direction. The Minnesota Charities Registration Law, passed in 1970, required charitable organizations to register with the state Commerce Department. In 1972, the council changed its name to Minnesota Charities Review Council to reflect its coordinating and review functions. The council established standards for nonprofit public fundraising campaigns, provided information on nonprofits, and worked to set standards and connect nonprofits to donors.