The Minnesota Wildflowers Information Organization
History
The Minnesota Wildflowers web site began as a private endeavor by Catherine (Katy) Chayka in 2006, in response to the poor resources available to the general public learning about plants growing wild in Minnesota. The initial web site was launched in March 2007 with approximately 15 species. In 2009 with nearly 300 species published, Peter Dziuk joined as a collaborator, contributing a private collection of approximately 40,000 plant images and the two began a 10-year partnership managing the web site together. As of December, 2020, over 1700 plant species are profiled with the goal of recording all 2100+ species in Minnesota then branching into neighboring states, becoming a complete reference for the entire Upper Midwest.
In 2011, the decision was made to form a nonprofit entity to provide some security for the web site as a public resource in perpetuity. Minnesota Wildflowers Information (MWI) was incorporated on August 8, 2011. The application for 501(c)(3) public charity status was approved June 29, 2012, allowing tax-deductible donations from the general public and setting the foundation to explore grant opportunities. MWI subsequently received six years of funding from the Minnesota Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund (lottery money), which ended June 30, 2020. Public donations have provided all funding since then.
Mission
The MWI mission is to educate Minnesotans on our native plants, raise awareness on threats like invasive species, and inspire people to explore our great state, appreciate its natural heritage, and become involved in preserving it.
Public Records
- 2022 Annual Report
- 2022 Balance Sheet
- 2022 Statement of Functional Expenses
- 2022 Statement of Operations
- 2022 Form 990N
- 2021 Annual Report
- 2021 Balance Sheet
- 2021 Statement of Functional Expenses
- 2021 Statement of Operations
- 2021 Form 990EZ
- 2020 Annual Report
- 2020 Balance Sheet
- 2020 Statement of Functional Expenses
- 2020 Statement of Operations
- 2020 Form 990EZ
- 2019 Annual Report
- 2019 Balance Sheet
- 2019 Statement of Functional Expenses
- 2019 Statement of Operations
- 2019 Form 990EZ
- 2018 Annual Report
- 2018 Balance Sheet
- 2018 Statement of Functional Expenses
- 2018 Statement of Operations
- 2018 Form 990EZ
- 2017 Annual Report
- 2017 Balance Sheet
- 2017 Statement of Functional Expenses
- 2017 Statement of Operations
- 2017 Form 990EZ
- 2016 Annual Report
- 2016 Balance Sheet
- 2016 Statement of Functional Expenses
- 2016 Statement of Operations
- 2016 Form 990EZ
- 2015 Annual Report
- 2015 Balance Sheet
- 2015 Statement of Functional Expenses
- 2015 Statement of Operations
- 2015 Form 990-N
- 2014 Annual Report
- 2014 Balance Sheet
- 2014 Statement of Functional Expenses
- 2014 Statement of Operations
- 2014 Form 990-N
- 2013 Annual Report
- 2013 Balance Sheet
- 2013 Statement of Functional Expenses
- 2013 Statement of Operations
- 2013 Form 990-N
- 2012 Annual Report
- 2012 Balance Sheet
- 2012 Statement of Functional Expenses
- 2012 Statement of Operations
- 2012 Form 990-N
- Form 1023 Application for Exemption and Acceptance Letter
- Articles of Incorporation
- Bylaws
- Conflict of Interest Policy
Additional documents available on request.
Board of Directors
- Catherine (Katy) Chayka, President and Board Chair
- Victoria Ranua, Treasurer
- Marilyn Jones, Secretary
- John Thayer, Board member