Kari Aanestad is the associate director at the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits. In this role, Kari partners closely with the executive director to chart MCN’s strategic response to organizational and sector challenges and plays a critical role as counselor, advisor, and strategic thought-partner for the executive director. Kari shapes and implements the organization’s strategy by providing oversight of fundraising, sector research, GreaterMN programs, special programs, operations, human resources, and financial management.
As a nonprofit fundraising professional with nearly a decade of experience, Kari also provides leadership to GrantAdvisor.org, a strategic initiative launched in partnership between MCN, California Association of Nonprofits, and Great Nonprofits. GrantAdvisor is a crowdsourced website led by nonprofits that’s like a “Wikipedia” of philanthropy. Grantseekers write reviews of foundations, helping their colleagues and giving honest feedback to strengthen philanthropy.