Kelly Smith

Reporter
Nonprofits, charity and philanthrophy
Smith was born in Duluth and grew up in the Twin Cities. She graduated from the College of St. Benedict in St. Joseph, Minn., and worked for the Forum newspaper in Fargo, N.D., before coming to the Star Tribune in 2010.

Latest from Kelly Smith

News & Politics

More Minnesota nonprofits are facing financial crisis than any year since 2020

Nearly 80% of nonprofits in a new survey said they have less than a year before they face financial distress largely because of declining donations and increasing costs.
September 19, 2024
News & Politics

Woman who dropped off attempted bribe for Feeding Our Future juror pleads guilty

In new details, Ladan Ali admitted to stealing $80,000 in cash meant to go to the juror. She could face nearly five to six years in prison.
September 5, 2024
Twin Cities

Brooklyn Park man accused of tax evasion over vape shops and deceptive practices at décor business

Hennepin County charges and an attorney general lawsuit accuse William Shocinski Jr. of Brooklyn Park of not providing metal décor products, making fake charity claims and evading tobacco vaping taxes.
September 5, 2024
Twin Cities

State alleges motorcycle ride fundraiser pocketed money meant to support Minnesota veterans charity

A 2022 motorcycle ride fundraiser, Ride to The Chip, promised riders 100% of the money would go to charity. Instead, state investigators allege organizers pocketed the money.
September 5, 2024
People ride through downtown Sturgis, S.D., during the 80th annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally on Monday, Aug. 10, 2020.
Twin Cities

St. Paul & Minnesota Foundation honors four Minnesotans for anti-racism efforts

The winners will be honored Sept. 26 and each will receive a $7,500 grant to give to a nonprofit of their choice.
August 21, 2024
Twin Cities

Jennifer Bjorhus, longtime journalist and Star Tribune reporter, dies of brain cancer

Bjorhus, who had an award-winning journalism career in the Twin Cities and West Coast, was 59.
August 16, 2024
Jennifer Bjorhus
News & Politics

Cargill billionaire’s secretive foundation quietly closes after giving out unprecedented $500 million

Former Cargill CEO Whitney MacMillan’s WEM Foundation dissolved last December and closed its Minnetonka office. For more than three decades, the foundation kept a low-profile despite being one of Minnesota's largest private foundations.
August 3, 2024
Whitney MacMillan, retiring CEO of Cargill, Inc., at the Administrative Lake Office, known as the mansion, a historic old country home near Lake Minnetonka.
Local

Safety concerns prompt Catholic Charities to install temporary fencing in downtown St. Paul

Catholic Charities Twin Cities has installed temporary chain-link fencing on its St. Paul campus to control access and reduce safety issues, and is working to design permanent fencing for 2025.
August 2, 2024
Twin Cities

St. Paul & Minnesota Foundation honors four Minnesotans for anti-racism efforts

The winners will be honored Sept. 26 and each will receive a $7,500 grant to give to a nonprofit of their choice.
August 21, 2024
Twin Cities

Jennifer Bjorhus, longtime journalist and Star Tribune reporter, dies of brain cancer

Bjorhus, who had an award-winning journalism career in the Twin Cities and West Coast, was 59.
August 16, 2024
Jennifer Bjorhus
News & Politics

Cargill billionaire’s secretive foundation quietly closes after giving out unprecedented $500 million

Former Cargill CEO Whitney MacMillan’s WEM Foundation dissolved last December and closed its Minnetonka office. For more than three decades, the foundation kept a low-profile despite being one of Minnesota's largest private foundations.
August 3, 2024
Whitney MacMillan, retiring CEO of Cargill, Inc., at the Administrative Lake Office, known as the mansion, a historic old country home near Lake Minnetonka.
Local

Safety concerns prompt Catholic Charities to install temporary fencing in downtown St. Paul

Catholic Charities Twin Cities has installed temporary chain-link fencing on its St. Paul campus to control access and reduce safety issues, and is working to design permanent fencing for 2025.
August 2, 2024
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