Community Involvement

Northwestern Mutual Foundation Donates $50,000 to the Miracle League of Central Minnesota to Help Complete a “Miracle Field” for Local Special Needs Children 

 The Northwestern Mutual Foundation awarded its affiliate office in St. Cloud, Minn., with the 2011 Community Impact Award for its work with the Miracle League of Central Minnesota, a nonprofit organization that provides children of Central Minnesota with cognitive and/or physical challenges an opportunity to play organized baseball.As part of the award, and in recognition of the ongoing efforts of local Managing Director Derek Tamm and his team, the Northwestern Mutual Foundation is providing a $50,000 grant to the Miracle League of Central Minnesota to finalize construction of a specially designed “Miracle Field” at Whitney Park in St. Cloud. A Miracle Field is a little league type baseball field that is designed for use by children with disabilities.

Tamm and other colleagues from Northwestern Mutual helped open the field during a ceremony taking place on June 4.

WATCH A YOUTUBE VIDEO ABOUT THE AWARD WINNERS

The Northwestern Mutual office has been active with the Miracle League of Central Minnesota for more than three years since Tamm, a baseball enthusiast, and local business leaders commenced plans to develop a field in the heart of the area youth sports complex.  

The Northwestern Mutual Foundation provided an initial grant of $10,000 on behalf of Tamm in 2008 through its Community Service Award program, and the local Northwestern Mutual affiliate office in St. Cloud contributed an additional $15,000. This Community Impact Award grant of $50,000 will cover final construction costs for the field and provides for initial operating expenses of the league. Over the last three years, the Northwestern Mutual office has been instrumental in helping raise more than $250,000 in capital for the field.

“Around the country, nonprofit organizations are hungry for outstanding volunteers like those at Northwestern Mutual,” said Kimberley Goode, president of the Northwestern Mutual Foundation. “Their passion to help others reach their full potential and commitment to strengthening the community is making a difference now and for future generations.”

John E. Schlifske, chairman and CEO of Northwestern Mutual, presented the award to Tamm at Northwestern Mutual’s 2011 Central Regional Meeting earlier this year.