Community Counts Campaign
MAY 1 — 10, 2027
Every May, we build a community of peacemakers across Minnesota and our country, where every person counts—you’re all in. Join us in supporting youth and making bullying-prevention and conflict-resolution education possible.
Be counted as a peacemaker. Our Minnesota community counts!
What We’re Trying to Beat in 2027
In May 2026, our community showed up. Here's the bar for 2027.
87
Minnesota communities
303
peacemakers, up from 258
$52,547
a record, up 56% from 2025
In 2027, let’s count even more.
THANK YOU TO OUR 2026 MATCHING SPONSORS
Their generosity helped turn last year's gifts into $52,547 for peace.
Tradition Mortgage
Dolores Voorhees
Mark & Lois Finney
Dan & Kari Rominski
Robert Friedman: In Memory of Lynn Elling
St. Cloud Morning Optimist Club
Want your name here in 2027?
What is the Community Counts Campaign?
Community Counts is our annual ten-day campaign each May. The idea is simple: every person who gives is counted as a peacemaker, and every Minnesota community they call home counts too.
Watch the map fill in as donors join from across the state and country to see which communities are counting the most peacemakers on the leaderboard.
Gifts are matched dollar for dollar, up to our matching total, so your gift goes further. Thank you for being counted.
Where Minnesota Counted in 2026
Last May, donors in 87 communities counted themselves in. Zoom in to see where.
What Your Gift Makes Possible
Every gift counts, says your mission is my mission. Here is what it can do for a child.
Helps students learn to handle conflict peacefully.
Helps get Books for Peacemakers to young readers.
Helps put Books for Peacemakers in front of a group of students.
One Ambassadors for Respect presentation, or Books for Peacemakers for a full classroom.
A storyteller for two classroom discussions, or half a Safe School Initiatives grant.
Four Ambassadors for Respect presentations for four classrooms, or a new school reached.
A Peace Guide, half-time, for a full month — or two new schools reached.
Why People Donate
Hear from the peacemakers who gave to Community Counts and why it matters to them.
“I believe PeaceMaker Minnesota's mission to measure relational skills and help youth learn positive relational skills is very much needed. I especially like how much Peacemaker follows up and works to measure results. I think they do get results.”
“I know so many students are experiencing anxiety, especially with friendships.”
“Personally, I feel like there is more violence and bullying in our world today, and I'm sad to see how it affects children.”
“Nothing is more important than having caring adults stand alongside our children to model conflict-resolution skills.”
“I feel it is so important for young people to learn respectful and peaceful ways to handle conflict.”
“Support children in learning more effective ways to handle conflict, promoting better outcomes for all involved.”
OPEN FOR 2027
Become a 2027 Matching Donor
We're building the 2027 list of matching donors now. If you, your business, family, or foundation would like to match gifts dollar for dollar during the campaign — in memory of someone, in honor of someone, or simply because this work matters to you — we'd love to talk.
Every sponsor counts when it comes to peace
When a matching sponsor counts themselves in, every gift you give goes further — dollar for dollar. It's one of the simplest ways to keep peacemaking education funded. Commit for this year, or be an annual donor.
Join Us — Be a Team Leader
What will I do as a Team Leader? It's easy. Just follow these steps:
Think about what you’d like to move forward. You could sponsor an Ambassadors for Respect team, buy books for an entire classroom, fund a Peace Guide for a week, provide a grant to schools, or start an endowment fund.
Determine your contribution. How much will you contribute toward your goal? $100, $250, $500, or more?
Assemble your team. Decide who you’ll ask to join you: family, friends, colleagues, and neighbors. Then invite them to support your goal. We’ll give you an email template and other ideas to inspire your team.
Fundraise. Inspire your team and have fun helping kids across the state learn the skills they need for life.
THANK YOU TO OUR 2025 TEAM LEADERS
Meet the incredible individuals rallying their communities to support PeaceMaker Minnesota's mission. Through their dedication and hard work, they helped to raise the funds needed to ensure everyone who supports peacemaking education is counted.
Bill Hudson
Brandon Reichel
Carole Froehle
Dan McNeil
Dolores Voorhees
Gwen Gmeinder
Jack Frundt
Jeff Gintz
John Laliberte
Karla Hill Donisch
Kate Towle
Lois Finney
Mary Stadick
Mick McNeil
Nicholas Pawlowski
Pam Schmid
Hans Simons
Susan Temple
In 2027, Help Us Beat the Peacemaker Count of 303
Give $10 or more between May 1 and 10, 2027, and be part of the count.
Whether you have questions or are ready to be an advocate for peace or sponsor matching funds, contact us: info@peacemakermn.org · 651-631-1604