New Owatonna Foundation director grateful for support

When Angela Gonzales first arrived in Owatonna three years ago, she wanted to put her education and experience to good use.  

She joined the Owatonna Foundation last August as an administrative assistant and after 90 days was promoted to executive coordinator. When Foundation director Laura Resler retired, Gonzales applied for the job.  

The board announced her promotion last month.  

“I wouldn’t be where I’m at if it weren't for the board of trustees who mentored me and encouraged me to take this,” she said. “Laura (Resler) is an amazing part of the community. She knows everyone... She really taught me to get to know our donors and respect the history of Owatonna. Without her guidance, I wouldn’t have been able to move forward.”  

Gonzales had earned a business administration and public relations degree from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, then pursued a master’s in business. She opened a business consulting firm but found herself also working with nonprofit organizations.  

“I realized they require a whole different set of skills,” she said, such as working with a board of directors and the responsibility nonprofits have to donors.  

To gain those skills, Gonzales pursued—and now holds—a Master of Public and Nonprofit Administration (MPNA) degree. She learned how to write grants, recruit and retain board members and volunteers, and maintain transparency with donors and grantors.  

Those skills will come in handy as the Owatonna Foundation looks to the future. Gonzales said the 64-year-old organization has grown over the past five years.  

“This is a big time of change for the Foundation,” she said, adding the focus now is community outreach. That has included a website update to allow for secure online donations and a significant increase in the Foundation’s social media presence.  

The story Gonzales now tells is far-reaching. The Foundation has touched every corner of the city, from funding a press box at the new high school football field to park and trail improvements and initial funding for the River Springs Water Park.  

In addition, nearly $40,000 in scholarships go to graduating seniors and nontraditional students each spring.  

“Our grants list is now six pages long and totals $13 million,” she said. “We’re getting out and letting the younger generation know that where your kids are playing, the Owatonna Foundation has supported that.”  

During the Foundation’s June 21 annual meeting, trustees Sharon West, Betsy Lindgren, and Jay Johnson stepped off the board, while Kim Cosens joined the group.  

The latest round of grant funds went to: 

• Community Pathways - $8,000 for a pallet lifter that will improve safety for volunteers and employees in that organization’s new building.  
• Owatonna Veterans Memorial - $15,000 
• Steele County Historical Society - $8,000 for movable walls in the Exhibition Hall that will facilitate changing exhibits 
• Owatonna American Legion - $13,888 for a handicap lift to make lower-level meeting rooms more accessible 
• Let’s Smile - $24,335.15 for a handheld x-ray machine and Cavitron ultrasonic scaler system that will provide direct dental care to area children 

The deadline for second round grant applications is Sept. 1.  

Gonzales said she is grateful to the community, legacy foundation members, trustees, and donors for making her feel welcome and supported.  

“I’m looking forward to seeing how we can continue to grow the Foundation and do amazing things for the community,” she said.