Carlson 4 Community Raises Record-Breaking Total

A student-run organization took raised more than $60,000 for a local non-profit, a new record and a testament to the school’s impact in many areas.

Carlson 4 Community (C4C), which promotes volunteerism for MBA students, raised a record-breaking $61,551 for Operation No Limits (ONL), an organization dedicated to supporting at-risk youth.

"I was absolutely thrilled and humbled by the final total," says Dana Matson, the president of C4C. "It exceeded my expectations and truly showcased the generosity and support of the community. The incredible response we received was a testament to the power of collective action and the compassion of individuals coming together for a shared cause."

C4C was created in 2005 by Full-Time MBA students at the Carlson School to bring together Full-Time, Part-Time, and Executive MBA students with the school’s alumni and faculty to support local causes.

The organization’s biggest event is the annual Carlson MBA Charity Auction, which benefits a different local charity each year as selected by the student body.

ONL is a non-profit that primarily supports youth at the Anoka County Juvenile Detention Center. It exists primarily to enhance the lives of at-risk youth through education, support, encouragement, positive experience, life and social skill development, and advocacy. MBA students have worked with ONL throughout the year, including for a Graduate Volunteer Consultants experiential learning project. 

"Operation No Limits captured our hearts with their commitment to making a positive impact in our community, and we recognized the potential of our fundraising efforts to make a substantial difference in their important work,” Matson says.

For Matson, joining C4C was of the utmost importance because of the impact the organization can have. The student organization provided Matson and others a platform to engage with like-minded individuals and leverage their collective strengths to address social issues and bring about positive change.

"The Carlson School community coming together to support causes like this is of paramount importance,” Matson says. “It fosters a sense of unity, empathy, and social responsibility among the students, faculty, and staff. By collectively rallying behind a cause, we demonstrate our commitment to making a positive difference in the world beyond our academic pursuits. Supporting causes like Operation No Limits helps create a culture of giving back and instills values of compassion and service in future business leaders.”