“This is an incredible honor for our agency and recognition for the hard work and dedication our employees give to our community partners,” said Christine Fruechte, CEO, Colle McVoy. “Community giving is deeply ingrained in our culture, and we believe that giving back is a corporate responsibility. One of our values is integrity, which means not only doing the right thing in corporate America but also within the communities in which we live.”

Colle McVoy is the recipient of the medium-sized business award for its many contributions to numerous organizations through a combination of volunteer time, in-kind and cash donations. In 2020, Colle McVoy partnered with Little Free Library to create the Read in Color program, an international initiative to amplify BIPOC and LGBTQ voices and foster understanding, empathy and inclusion for all by delivering diverse books to Little Free Library book-sharing boxes worldwide. Through a unique partnership with the Ad Council, Colle McVoy created a series of PSAs that depicted the growing need to feed millions and inspire people to donate to Feeding America’s COVID-19 Response Fund. Colle McVoy also created two broadcast PSAs with the Ad Council and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that encouraged Americans to mask up, even if they’ve been vaccinated. And while partnering with Houston White to help define his retail brand and develop identities for several of his clothing lines, the agency acted to elevate White’s incredible vision to bring together people of all identities, races, cultures, backgrounds and neighborhoods and turn his North Minneapolis barbershop into a uniting force for cultural progress.

Serving as a model for other Minnesota businesses to follow, the 2021 Minnesota Keystone Award recipients will be honored at the 45^th annual Minnesota Keystone Luncheon on December 9, 2021.

About the Minnesota Keystone Program
The Minnesota Keystone Program, administered by the Minneapolis Regional Chamber, promotes corporate philanthropy by recognizing and honoring companies that donate at least 2% of their pre-tax earnings to charitable organizations. In 1976, 23 Minnesota companies created this program (originally known as The 5% Club) to recognize and encourage charitable giving in the state. The commitment of Minnesota Keystone participants continues to serve as an example to other businesses, both here and around the globe, and to sustain Minnesota’s spirit of generosity and sense of community. Qualifying companies have an operating presence in Minnesota and donate cash or in-kind donations, including probono services and/or employee paid volunteer time.