Ron Jacobson is an enthusiastic supporter of both the Minnesota State Fair AND the Minnesota State Fair Foundation that supports it. He’s been involved with the Foundation since its first fair and has been giving his time and financial support since. He encourages supporters to consider giving through their company’s workplace giving campaigns and finding out if your donations can be matched by your employer.
What are some of your happiest moments or stories at the fair?
Oh boy, I have millions.
I moved to Minnesota when I was going into sixth grade, my folks moved here from out west and my parents didn’t bring us to the fair. So it wasn’t until my first friend got a driver’s license that I went to the fair because I grew up in Eden Prairie and we couldn’t take the bus to the fair back then. We’d probably go most days, at least seven of them, and go and hang out and do things that teenage boys would do.
It was from there on that I loved the fair, it is really a neat place. I would go annually and usually at least three times once my family started growing- we’d go once with the kids, once at night and one day without the kids. So, it was at least three, sometimes more.
For the last 15 years, I’ve been taking vacation time to work at the fair in the Info Booth. I’ve built a lot of relationships over my time there and through volunteering with the Foundation. Kind of these 12-days-a-year relationships where we visit every year.
How long have you been involved with the Foundation?
It goes back 20 years when I fell into a fair-time job at the Foundation. Since then, I’ve been supporting the Foundation by volunteering and giving.
What made you give your first gift to the Foundation?
I got a brick at the beginning, it was an affordable entry spot. You get something at the fairgrounds and the money goes to help something that you love.
Shortly after that, I started giving by payroll deduction.
In 2012, I put my payroll deductions toward a red bench. I did the math and figured out how much I’d have to give from my paychecks by the bench deadline- I also had to consider when the Foundation would actually get the money from my company.
From there on, I’ve been a Friend of the Fair, bought benches and supported the Minnesota State Fair Foundation’s endowment.
Why do you continue to support the Foundation?
Because I personally have seen a number of impactful projects that the Foundation has done.
I remember seeing the marvel in people’s faces when they walked into the new CHS Miracle of Birth Center 15 years ago. And just that one building and the impact of that project was enough to make a person come back, at least to me.
What was the process like for choosing the Minnesota State Fair Foundation as a recipient of workplace giving?
My company had an annual charitable giving contribution drive. I went into the campaign website and searched the eligible nonprofits — wanting it to go to nonprofits like the fair, cancer research, heart research, those kinds of things that impacted my family.
And then you just decide how much you wanted to do for each nonprofit, whether it was a one-time donation or every pay period deduction.
Why did you choose to support the Foundation through workplace or payroll giving?
To me, it’s the best way to do it. It’s like anything else, if it comes out automatically, you don’t even notice it as much. And it’s just right off the top and it’s easier to become used to that.
Let’s say you give $100 a year, it’s going to cost you a hundred dollars one way or another, and I’d rather take out $4 a pay period versus a hundred dollars when you’re at the fair. Barely feel it when it’s $4 per paycheck and that’s the whole thing- it makes it so easy because it just adds up.
It also makes it easier to contribute greater overall when you don’t really feel it. I mean, it’s the same amount of money.
Or if you wanted to get a bench. You know, there is no surprise if you’ve been putting money aside each paycheck instead of having to go, “Oh, I really wanted to get that bench, oh man, I forgot. Where am I going to get $2,500 and have it by June 1st?” So to me, it’s easier to have something set up and have it automatically taken out.
Is there anything else you’d like to say?
Workplace giving is quick and easy. You do it once and it keeps on going in the background.
Also, check to see if your company matches your donations. If they have matching, you’re leaving money on the table if you don’t let them know about your giving. You can increase your gift’s impact to where you’re supporting, so take advantage of that.
And make sure if you’ve had volunteer service see if your company donates in honor of that. It impacts the organization two-fold. You give the nonprofit your time and you get this volunteer match. Plus, you get to hang with us volunteers. It’s kind of cool to hang with people and have the other shared interest in the fair.
In addition to workplace giving, some companies offer Volunteer Paid Time Off or grant money to organizations that their employees volunteer for. You get time off to support something that you like and you could get extra money donated.
Anyone who has the option should take advantage of it. If you don’t know if your company offers it, ask your HR or payroll department.
