Our History

Ramsey Community Foundation was incorporated on October 20, 2005. Originally it was established as the Ramsey Sister City Foundation. As the name implies, the original purpose was to facilitate the relationship between Ramsey and its Sister City, Loudi, (Hunan Province) China. As the functions of the foundation were considered, it quickly became apparent that a charitable foundation with a much broader scope would be of benefit to Ramsey. Gary Levine, one of the original founders and the first Foundation president, suggested that the purpose of the Foundation should be to support activities in the city when tax dollars are not available, and to support projects and activities for general welfare and improvement for its citizens and the community.

Initially, the Foundation spent time and effort working with our Sister City. In January 2006, a contingency from Loudi was welcomed to Ramsey, fostering an exchange of cultural and economic ideas that were of mutual benefit. Two additional groups were subsequently welcomed to the city, and Ramsey, over the next few years, was able to send city and business representatives to Loudi as well. 

In addition to its work with the Sister City relationship, the Foundation spent much of its early efforts in fundraising for future projects and exploring how it could be of service to Ramsey. The goal was to help handle financial aspects of citizen and city projects beneficial to our region. Several projects were considered and explored.

In 2009, to gain awareness in the community and raise additional funds, the Foundation sponsored a food concession booth at the Environmental Expo. In June of that year, the first of what would become an annual series of summer concerts was initiated. The concerts were held at Central Park and the Fountains of Ramsey, ending with a Polka Fest at the Al & Betty Pearson Farm. The Foundation worked with the Community Garden Club to establish and equip the Ramsey Tower Garden at the intersection of County Rd 5 & Dysprosium St. and was also instrumental in helping to launch the Ramsey Community Theater.

In 2010, the second concert series was held at Central Park and the Foundation continued to be involved in the Community Garden and the Ramsey Community Theater. In September, Foundation board members and volunteers hosted the first annual Happy Days pancake breakfast at Ramsey City Hall. Though the breakfast was started as a fundraiser, it became an annual event that was well received by the community, with hundreds of people attending each year.

2011 saw the annual concert series moved to the newly completed Draw Park Amphitheater. The series was expanded from six to 12 concerts and was very well received by the community. Both the Foundation and the community were very fortunate to have the concerts sponsored by generous corporate community partners.

The Foundation continued to concentrate efforts on raising funds to provide for the Draw concert series, adding a Farmer’s Market, T-shirt sales and a raffle during each concert. Ongoing support for the Community Garden was provided, and Heart Safe Ramsey, created by Ramsey resident Tim Hoffman, was added to the efforts that were fostered by the Foundation. The Happy Days pancake breakfast and a booth at the Business Expo continued to be annual events for the Foundation.

As the concert series continued to gain in popularity, improved programming was added, and fundraising efforts increased. The annual Trott Brook Benefit Bash was added to the roster of events for the concert series, raising money for Youth First and the Anoka Chamber Scholarship Fund.  Levels of concert sponsorship were enacted, along with the opportunity for donor company picnics, tables, and displays. Attendance increased from 100s when the concerts began to several thousand for each season. Heart Safe also picked up steam over the years, with enough funds raised to purchase several AEDs and CPR/AED instructions for hundreds of Ramsey residents.

The pandemic presented challenges for the Foundation. Fundraising efforts were suspended. An abbreviated concert series with ample social distancing provided a welcome outdoor reprieve for those who attended.

After several years of growing success of Concerts at the Draw, funding for the concert series was fully adopted by the City of Ramsey itself.  The annual Happy Days pancake breakfast was assumed by the Kitchen Table, a Ramsey restaurant. Heart Safe Ramsey, having fulfilled most of its mission, was assumed by Nick Stolp of the Ramsey Police Department.

Ramsey Community Foundation is always exploring new opportunities to be of service to the community.  Our city thrives on the ingenuity and ambition of its citizens. Bring your ideas and join the Foundation in making the city of Ramsey an even greater place to live!