Connecting with Kids

Connecting with Kids Leadership Awards

Each spring we recognize a group of adults and students who have served, uplifted, or empowered the youth in our community or in communities in need.

Thank you to our sponsors Grandview Tire & Auto, Tradition Wealth Management, Jerry’s Foods and Insight Vision Care.

Congratulations to our 2025 honorees

Michael Birdman and Brent Lundell, Camp E

Meg Hobday and Michael J. Allen, My Very Own Bed

Drew and Benji Dillon

Anoushka Jha

Bergen Pickett

Images from our 2024 breakfast:

View the 2024 highlights in a 15 second recap:

Leadership Breakfasts 2009-2023

Past Award Winners: Read a list of our award recipients, going back to 2009. Thank you to each and every one of them for making this community what it is today! You can also read articles about our honorees published in Edina Magazine.

History of the Connecting with Kids Program

Fulfilling the Edina Community Foundation's mission to serve, strengthen, and celebrate our community, the Connecting with Kids program is specifically focused on the lives of our youth.

The Connecting with Kids program grew out of a desire to build a healthy Edina for youth. In 1998, an Edina Asset Building Steering Committee partnered with the Minneapolis-based Search Institute to establish the "40 Developmental Assets," to create healthy kids and a healthy community. These assets identify areas in which neighbors, parents, teachers, and our community need to actively participate to help kids become their very best. 

Connecting with Kids Leadership Breakfast

Since coming under the Edina Community Foundation umbrella, the Connecting with Kids program has added an emphasis on recognizing the adults who have dedicated their time to making a difference. Each year since 2008, the Edina Community Foundation holds a leadership breakfast to honor a group of awardees who are nominated by community members. We take time to highlight their contributions and celebrate the strength of our community through volunteerism. 

OUR MISSION

To connect individuals, families, organizations and other resources in Edina to help them fulfill their responsibility to raise healthy children and develop a healthy community.

OUR VISION

To be a community where all children have the support they need to grow up to be responsible, healthy and caring adults.