Christopher Berger, director of communications, GHR Foundation
Christopher Berger is working to extend the reach of the Minneapolis-based GHR Foundation as the private family foundation's recently hired director of communications.
Berger's responsibilities include developing communications strategies that advance the work of the foundation and its partners in "seeking transformational change in global development, health and education."
Opus development group founders Gerald A. and Henrietta Rauenhorst started the foundation in 1965. It issued more than $20.7 million to grantees in 2015, according to its website. "We strive to be entrepreneurs for good," Berger said.
Berger's priorities include elevating the work of foundation partners and building on the foundation's reputation as an expert in its program areas.
"Our CEO Amy Rauenhorst Goldman is already a thought leader among those in the know," Berger said. "We're going to work to expose more partners to her diplomacy, business and philanthropic expertise through various channels."
The foundation's Inter-Religious Action program supports global initiatives to bring together people of different faiths to build community connections and advance peace, Berger said.
Berger has more than a decade of experience in nonprofit and cause-related marketing. He previously was director of global social impact at Weber Shandwick and principal of Berger Brands. He has a bachelor's degree in international studies and political science from Macalester College.
Q: What has drawn you to focus on nonprofit and cause-related marketing?
A: Like many Minnesotans, I think I'm driven by a personal desire to contribute where I can around pressing challenges locally and globally. Professionally, there's a terrific opportunity to further the mission of organizations through communications. So many organizations are too busy doing good work to focus on sharing their success.
Q: Can you elaborate on the foundation's entrepreneurial approach?
A: The program staff seeks new ideas with great promise. But they also are very diligent around evaluation and learning so that we're not just writing checks, but we're partnering with our grantees. The measurement and learnings are then shared broadly across the field so that our impact can be maximized.
Q: Does the foundation engage in fundraising?
A: All of the GHR Foundation's resources come out of its own pockets. Instead of seeking donations, GHR tries to elevate the work of its partners to draw funders to good work and successful models. We leverage our investment to bring in matching funds and other resources from government, from private-sector organizations and other philanthropic funders.
Todd Nelson
