{ "datasetId": "minnesota-public-figures-giving-back-v1", "version": "1.1.0", "snapshotDate": "2026-09-24", "title": "Minnesota Public Figures Who Give Back", "description": "Minnesota-connected public figures with both a documented geographic relationship and a documented giving, fundraising, foundation, service or community-support activity.", "unitOfAnalysis": "One public figure or public creator group", "methodology": { "dualGate": "Both Minnesota relationship and giving/community-support evidence are required.", "ordering": "Alphabetical by public display name.", "amountBoundary": "Campaign, event and foundation figures are not combined or treated as personal donations.", "scope": "Selected source-backed reference, not a ranking or exhaustive census.", "directAnswer": "Representative names span retained fields and relationship types; they are not a fame or generosity ranking.", "freshness": "Project and program dates are recorded individually; the dataset snapshot date is not treated as every activity date.", "absenceBoundary": "Absence does not imply that a person makes no private contributions." }, "records": [ { "id": "mn-giving-adam-thielen", "name": "Adam Thielen", "canonicalEntityId": "mn-person-adam-thielen", "field": "Sports", "minnesotaRelationship": "Raised in Minnesota; longtime Minnesota Vikings career", "place": "Detroit Lakes / Minneapolis", "minnesotaSourceUrl": "https://thielenfoundation.org/about/", "givingType": "Foundation and youth programs", "project": "Thielen Foundation youth development and mental-health programs", "projectDate": "2018–present", "evidence": "Foundation formed in 2018 and based in Minneapolis", "sourceUrl": "https://thielenfoundation.org/about/", "sourceClass": "OFFICIAL FOUNDATION", "internalUrl": "/minnesota/celebrities/", "limitations": "Foundation activity is not presented as Adam's personal donation total." }, { "id": "mn-giving-alan-page", "name": "Alan Page", "canonicalEntityId": "mn-person-alan-page", "field": "Sports and public life", "minnesotaRelationship": "Minnesota professional and public-service history", "place": "Minneapolis", "minnesotaSourceUrl": "https://www.page-ed.org/about/us/", "givingType": "Education foundation", "project": "Page Education Foundation grants and service-to-children program", "projectDate": "1988–present", "evidence": "Founded by Diane and Alan Page to support Minnesota students of color", "sourceUrl": "https://www.page-ed.org/about/us/", "sourceClass": "OFFICIAL FOUNDATION", "internalUrl": "/minnesota/celebrities/", "limitations": "Foundation-reported cumulative program figures are not treated as Alan Page's personal giving total." }, { "id": "mn-giving-c-j-ham", "name": "C.J. Ham", "canonicalEntityId": "mn-origin-person-cj-ham", "field": "Sports", "minnesotaRelationship": "Grew up in Duluth; Denfeld graduate", "place": "Duluth / Twin Cities", "minnesotaSourceUrl": "https://www.vikings.com/news/longform/c-j-ham-walter-payton-man-of-the-year-nominee-2024", "givingType": "Community service, scholarship and direct assistance", "project": "Ham Family Scholarship Fund and recurring Minnesota community work", "projectDate": "2020–2024 documented period", "evidence": "The Vikings document scholarship support, holiday assistance, volunteering and community programs.", "sourceUrl": "https://www.vikings.com/news/longform/c-j-ham-walter-payton-man-of-the-year-nominee-2024", "sourceClass": "OFFICIAL TEAM FEATURE", "internalUrl": "/famous-people-duluth-minnesota/", "limitations": "The team feature documents several activities; it is not converted into one cash total or a claim that every activity was personally funded by Ham." }, { "id": "mn-community-creator-connor-franta", "name": "Connor Franta", "canonicalEntityId": "mn-internet-personality-connor-franta", "field": "YouTube, books and photography", "minnesotaRelationship": "Raised in Minnesota", "place": "La Crescent", "minnesotaSourceUrl": "https://www.startribune.com/wipe-those-tears-and-meet-connor-franta-minnesota-s-youtube-superstar/301705331", "givingType": "nonprofit partnership", "project": "2014 Thirst Project birthday campaign", "projectDate": "2014", "evidence": "More than $230,000 reported", "sourceUrl": "https://www.thirstproject.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/EducationInfoSheet_2017-FINAL1.pdf", "sourceClass": "OFFICIAL NONPROFIT", "internalUrl": "/minnesota/profiles/connor-franta/", "limitations": "The source reports a later cross-campaign total; it is not used as a creator-level donation total." }, { "id": "mn-giving-jj-mccarthy", "name": "J.J. McCarthy", "canonicalEntityId": "mn-person-jj-mccarthy", "field": "Sports", "minnesotaRelationship": "Minnesota Vikings professional relationship at the time of the projects", "place": "Twin Cities", "minnesotaSourceUrl": "https://www.vikings.com/team/players-roster/j-j-mccarthy/", "givingType": "Direct assistance and collaborative public work", "project": "Pizza distribution and winter-supply projects with Josh Liljenquist and other participants", "projectDate": "2025", "evidence": "Independent reports describe the project-specific assistance and participants", "sourceUrl": "https://www.si.com/nfl/vikings/onsi/news/watch-vikings-jj-mccarthy-buys-pizzas-hands-them-out-to-homeless-people-01jjmfccrg3t", "sourceClass": "INDEPENDENT SPORTS REPORTING", "internalUrl": "/collaborations/jj-mccarthy/", "limitations": "The records do not make every later McCarthy activity a Josh collaboration, and team affiliation alone is not residence evidence." }, { "id": "mn-giving-jason-zucker", "name": "Jason Zucker", "canonicalEntityId": "mn-person-jason-zucker", "field": "Sports", "minnesotaRelationship": "Minnesota Wild career relationship", "place": "Minneapolis", "minnesotaSourceUrl": "https://give16.com/", "givingType": "Hospital fundraising and family support", "project": "GIVE16 and the Zucker Family Suite and Broadcast Studio", "projectDate": "2016–present", "evidence": "GIVE16 raises support for University of Minnesota Masonic Children's Hospital", "sourceUrl": "https://give16.com/", "sourceClass": "OFFICIAL FOUNDATION", "internalUrl": "/minnesota/celebrities/", "limitations": "The record describes an organization-led program, not a personal donation total." }, { "id": "mn-community-creator-jimmy-darts", "name": "Jimmy Darts", "canonicalEntityId": "mn-internet-personality-jimmy-darts", "field": "Kindness-centered social video", "minnesotaRelationship": "Minnesota hometown", "place": "Walker", "minnesotaSourceUrl": "https://www.startribune.com/minnesota-native-raises-millions-online-through-random-acts-of-kindness/601864999", "givingType": "audience fundraiser", "project": "Brain-cancer and eviction fundraiser", "projectDate": "2026-02-18", "evidence": "$761,920 displayed at review", "sourceUrl": "https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-danny-and-his-family-fight-brain-cancer-and-eviction", "sourceClass": "PUBLIC CAMPAIGN RECORD", "internalUrl": "/minnesota/profiles/jimmy-darts/", "limitations": "The campaign total does not establish how every dollar was used or a long-term housing outcome." }, { "id": "mn-giving-joe-mauer", "name": "Joe Mauer", "canonicalEntityId": "mn-person-joe-mauer", "field": "Sports", "minnesotaRelationship": "Born, raised and played professionally in Minnesota", "place": "St. Paul / Minneapolis", "minnesotaSourceUrl": "https://www.mlb.com/marlins/video/joe-mauer-talks-kids-classic", "givingType": "Fundraising event", "project": "Mauer & Friends Kids Classic supporting Gillette Children's", "projectDate": "2020–present", "evidence": "Gillette describes Joe and Maddie Mauer as founders/friends of the annual event", "sourceUrl": "https://gillettechildrens.donordrive.com/pages/1011", "sourceClass": "OFFICIAL HOSPITAL EVENT RECORD", "internalUrl": "/minnesota/celebrities/", "limitations": "Event fundraising is not represented as Joe Mauer's personal donation." }, { "id": "mn-community-creator-josh-liljenquist", "name": "Josh Liljenquist", "canonicalEntityId": "https://joshliljenquist.com/#person", "field": "Community-support storytelling", "minnesotaRelationship": "Born and based in Minnesota", "place": "Fairmont and Chaska", "minnesotaSourceUrl": "https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2026/04/14/st-paul-parks-ban-tiktok-star-who-gives-to-homeless-people", "givingType": "food/community assistance", "project": "Restaurant food purchase and distribution", "projectDate": "2024-01", "evidence": "$500 food purchase reported", "sourceUrl": "https://www.startribune.com/minnesota-tiktok-food-unhoused-homeless-social-media-clout-charity-altruism-facebook-instagram-viral/600336333", "sourceClass": "INDEPENDENT LOCAL REPORTING", "internalUrl": "/minnesota/creators-community-giving/", "limitations": "The report also discusses ethical questions around filmed giving; the project is not presented as evidence of long-term impact." }, { "id": "mn-community-creator-kenny-jary", "name": "Kenny Jary", "canonicalEntityId": "mn-internet-personality-patriotic-kenny", "field": "Veteran-centered social video", "minnesotaRelationship": "Minnesota-based", "place": "Mahtomedi area", "minnesotaSourceUrl": "https://www.startribune.com/80-year-old-mahtomedi-mans-tiktok-fame-leads-to-veteran-advocacy-and-something-deeper/600162050", "givingType": "medical/accessibility support", "project": "Initial veteran mobility-scooter campaign", "projectDate": "2021", "evidence": "25 scooters documented", "sourceUrl": "https://www.cbsnews.com/minnesota/news/tiktok-star-patriotic-kenny-veteran-scooters/", "sourceClass": "INDEPENDENT LOCAL REPORTING", "internalUrl": "/minnesota/creators-community-giving/", "limitations": "This record covers the initial campaign, not the later cumulative foundation total." }, { "id": "mn-giving-larry-fitzgerald", "name": "Larry Fitzgerald Jr.", "canonicalEntityId": "mn-person-larry-fitzgerald-jr", "field": "Sports", "minnesotaRelationship": "Born and raised in Minneapolis", "place": "Minneapolis", "minnesotaSourceUrl": "https://www.thelarryfitzgeraldfoundation.org/pages/our-team", "givingType": "Foundation, education and health support", "project": "Larry Fitzgerald Foundation support in Minneapolis and nationally", "projectDate": "2005–present", "evidence": "Foundation records education, technology and breast-cancer support including Minneapolis-area work", "sourceUrl": "https://www.thelarryfitzgeraldfoundation.org/pages/our-team", "sourceClass": "OFFICIAL FOUNDATION", "internalUrl": "/minnesota/celebrities/", "limitations": "Foundation activity is not presented as a personal donation total." }, { "id": "mn-giving-lindsey-vonn", "name": "Lindsey Vonn", "canonicalEntityId": "mn-person-lindsey-vonn", "field": "Sports", "minnesotaRelationship": "Born and raised in Minnesota", "place": "Burnsville", "minnesotaSourceUrl": "https://www.lindseyvonnfoundation.org/about", "givingType": "Foundation scholarships and youth programs", "project": "Lindsey Vonn Foundation scholarships and #STRONGgirls camps", "projectDate": "2015–present", "evidence": "Foundation provides scholarships and empowerment programs for girls", "sourceUrl": "https://www.lindseyvonnfoundation.org/about", "sourceClass": "OFFICIAL FOUNDATION", "internalUrl": "/minnesota/profiles/lindsey-vonn/", "limitations": "National foundation activity is connected to a Minnesota-origin public figure; it is not described as exclusively Minnesota-based or as a personal donation total." }, { "id": "mn-community-creator-mikayla-raines", "name": "Mikayla Raines", "canonicalEntityId": "mn-internet-personality-mikayla-raines", "field": "Animal-rescue video and education", "minnesotaRelationship": "Minnesota-based during the documented work", "place": "Lakeville and Faribault area", "minnesotaSourceUrl": "https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/article/fur-fox-rescue", "givingType": "animal rescue", "project": "2016 fur-farm fox rescue campaign", "projectDate": "2016-05-06", "evidence": "Public campaign; exact total not preserved in the reviewed source", "sourceUrl": "https://www.gofundme.com/22w855qz", "sourceClass": "PUBLIC CAMPAIGN RECORD + INDEPENDENT REPORTING", "internalUrl": "/minnesota/creators-community-giving/", "limitations": "No precise historical campaign amount is asserted." }, { "id": "mn-giving-paige-bueckers", "name": "Paige Bueckers", "canonicalEntityId": "mn-origin-person-paige-bueckers", "field": "Sports", "minnesotaRelationship": "Hopkins High School and hometown connection", "place": "Hopkins / Minnetonka", "minnesotaSourceUrl": "https://uconnhuskies.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/bueckers-paige/14065", "givingType": "Personal matching gift and food-security support", "project": "#HopkinsStrong Relief Fund matching gift", "projectDate": "2026", "evidence": "CBS News Minnesota reports a $50,000 matching donation supporting ICA Food Shelf.", "sourceUrl": "https://www.cbsnews.com/minnesota/news/paige-bueckers-food-shelf-donation/", "sourceClass": "INDEPENDENT LOCAL REPORTING", "internalUrl": "/minnesota/high-school-connections/", "limitations": "The $50,000 is Bueckers's documented matching donation; the wider fund total includes other donors and a separate foundation grant." }, { "id": "mn-giving-ryan-dungey", "name": "Ryan Dungey", "canonicalEntityId": "chaska-person-ryan-dungey", "field": "Sports", "minnesotaRelationship": "Raised in Carver and Chaska; later Minnesota charity events", "place": "Chaska / Chanhassen", "minnesotaSourceUrl": "https://www.startribune.com/ryan-dungey-homegrown-racer-turned-dirtbike-star-reflects-on-extraordinary-career/414123503", "givingType": "Foundation and nonprofit fundraising", "project": "St. Jude Ride & 5K Run and Ryan Dungey Foundation", "projectDate": "2012–present program history", "evidence": "St. Jude documents Dungey's Minnesota event and longstanding support; the foundation later formalized work benefiting St. Jude and All Kids Bike.", "sourceUrl": "https://www.stjude.org/inspire/series/selfless/supercross-ryan-dungey-friends-with-gabe.html", "sourceClass": "OFFICIAL NONPROFIT FEATURE", "internalUrl": "/famous-people-chaska-minnesota/", "limitations": "Event and foundation totals are not represented as Dungey's personal donation total." }, { "id": "mn-community-creator-shane-hannah-burcaw", "name": "Shane and Hannah Burcaw", "canonicalEntityId": "squirmy-and-grubs", "field": "YouTube and disability advocacy", "minnesotaRelationship": "Minnesota-based", "place": "Minneapolis", "minnesotaSourceUrl": "https://www.mprnews.org/episode/2025/08/06/youtubers-squirmy-and-grubs-confront-misconceptions-by-sharing-stories-of-interabled-couples", "givingType": "medical/accessibility support", "project": "Tech the Halls 2018", "projectDate": "2018", "evidence": "11 adaptive-technology grants documented", "sourceUrl": "https://www.gofundme.com/f/techthehalls2018", "sourceClass": "OFFICIAL NONPROFIT CAMPAIGN RECORD", "internalUrl": "/minnesota/creators-community-giving/", "limitations": "The campaign is associated with Shane Burcaw and the nonprofit; it is not represented as a Squirmy and Grubs audience-only fundraiser." }, { "id": "mn-community-creator-yung-gravy", "name": "Yung Gravy", "canonicalEntityId": "mn-origin-person-yung-gravy", "field": "Internet-native music", "minnesotaRelationship": "Born and raised in Minnesota", "place": "Rochester", "minnesotaSourceUrl": "https://www.startribune.com/review-poppy-minnesota-rapper-yung-gravy-all-fluff-at-fair-grandstand/600301005", "givingType": "donated goods/services", "project": "Tour bra donation to I Support the Girls", "projectDate": "2022", "evidence": "1,900 bras donated", "sourceUrl": "https://www.narcity.com/yung-gravy-donated-1900-bras-helped-sort-them", "sourceClass": "INDEPENDENT REPORTING + NONPROFIT RECORD", "internalUrl": "/minnesota/creators-community-giving/", "limitations": "The record does not include an independently verified cash-match amount, so none is claimed." }, { "id": "mn-community-creator-zach-johnson", "name": "Zach Johnson", "canonicalEntityId": "millennial-farmer", "field": "Agriculture and farm video", "minnesotaRelationship": "Minnesota-based", "place": "Lowry area", "minnesotaSourceUrl": "https://www.mprnews.org/story/2026/05/11/millennial-farmer-zach-johnsons-youtube-channel-10year-anniversary", "givingType": "medical/accessibility support", "project": "Grain-bin rescue equipment and training campaign", "projectDate": "2020-2021", "evidence": "More than $60,000 raised; 51 departments supported", "sourceUrl": "https://umash.umn.edu/spotlight-doing-good-minnesota-millennial-farmer-fundraises-for-farm-safety/", "sourceClass": "OFFICIAL UNIVERSITY PROGRAM PROFILE", "internalUrl": "/minnesota/creators-community-giving/", "limitations": "The source notes audience fundraising and partners but does not fully disaggregate every contribution." } ] }