By Camille Pearson Walz 

West Central Initiative

As a longtime resident of Moorhead, Beth Grosen has always believed in giving back to the community she loves. From her years with the city to her service in the Rotary Club, Beth’s life has been grounded in generosity and connection. Now, as she plans for the future, she hopes to support both her family and the community that shaped her. 

Beth’s story is part of a much larger trend. Between 2020 and 2030, families in our region are expected to transfer $2.6 billion in wealth to the next generation. Yet many of those heirs live elsewhere. Without careful planning, much of this wealth will leave our communities—and with it, the chance to sustain the local organizations that make west central Minnesota thrive. 

And that need has never been greater. Nonprofits across our region are facing increased demand for services while funding sources decline. From child care and housing to workforce and environmental initiatives, local organizations are doing more with less. 

But there’s hope—and an opportunity. 

If even 5 percent of that wealth transfer—about $132 million—were reinvested locally, it could generate more than $13 million each year for community programs and grants. Those dollars would strengthen our main streets, expand opportunities, and support the causes that keep this region vibrant. 

Beth chose to include West Central Initiative in her will because she wanted to make sure her values endure. “It isn’t just those with great sums of money who can do great things,” she said. “We all have resources we can invest in our community.” 

Legacy giving doesn’t have to be complicated or reserved for the wealthy. It’s simply a way to ensure that the wealth built here continues to benefit the people and places we care about most—especially at a time when it’s needed most. 

Now is the time to give back to the place we call home. 

To learn how you can leave a lasting impact in your community, visit wcif.org or contact me at camille@wcif.org or (218) 739-2239.