Deluxe Corporation Foundation gives the Carlson School of Management $610,000 to fund an Entrepreneur Intern Program and expand undergraduate facilities
Media Contact: Dawn Skelly, Carlson School of Management, 612-624-8770, dskelly@umn.edu
MINNEAPOLIS—(Feb. 1, 2008)—The Deluxe Corporation Foundation is giving a $610,000 grant to the Carlson School of Management at the University of Minnesota to support the construction of Herbert M. Hanson Jr. Hall and help endow its Entrepreneur Intern Program, which provides funding for early-stage businesses that are otherwise unable to offer paid internships. The grant will be paid over five years, with $500,000 going to the Entrepreneur Intern Program through the Gary S. Holmes Center for Entrepreneurship and $110,000 set aside for the construction of the new facility.
“We are always looking for new ways to be a valuable partner for educational institutions and are excited to help endow Carlson School’s program,” said Lee Schram, Deluxe Corporation Foundation president and Deluxe Corporation CEO. “The program helps connect small business owners to the high level of talent at Carlson and provides a great way for them to support and grow their business.”
The Entrepreneur Intern Program was established in 2007 to provide undergraduate entrepreneurship students with opportunities to apply their coursework and to work alongside leading Minnesota entrepreneurs during the formative stages of their businesses. The Foundation’s gift will subsidize 25 student interns each year to assist with launching new ventures or expanding existing businesses.
“Small businesses create the vast majority of new jobs in Minnesota. Exposing our students to the challenges and rewards of working in a smaller entrepreneurial firm enables them to make a more informed career decision upon graduation,” said John Stavig, professional director for the Gary S. Holmes Center for Entrepreneurship at the Carlson School. “We are excited about our internship program expansion and are delighted that the Deluxe Corporation Foundation is helping us make it a reality.”
The remaining $110,000 will help fund the construction of the new Herbert M. Hanson Jr. Hall. The facility will house the recently expanded Carlson School Undergraduate Program and will be open for the 2008-2009 school year.
Since 1954, the Deluxe Corporation Foundation has contributed nearly $84 million to nonprofit organizations. In 2007, it contributed more than $2.6 million to nonprofits in Deluxe communities across the US and Canada. The Foundation's grant funds benefit human service organizations, partnerships with business schools, reading programs for struggling readers and the arts. Information about the Deluxe Corporation Foundation is available at deluxe.com/foundation.
About Deluxe Corporation Foundation and Deluxe Corporation
The Deluxe Corporation Foundation is a grant-giving institution that has partnered with educational, cultural and human service nonprofit organizations for more than 50 years to enrich the communities of Deluxe Corporation employees. An independent 501(c)(3) organization, the Deluxe Corporation Foundation receives funding from Deluxe Corporation to support its mission of giving back to the communities it serves. Deluxe Corporation helps financial institutions and small businesses better manage, promote, and grow their businesses. The Company uses direct marketing, distributors, and a North American sales force to provide a wide range of customized products and services. It also sells personalized checks and accessories directly to consumers. For more information about the Deluxe Corporation Foundation or Deluxe Corporation, visit deluxe.com.
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