MANKATO — Once facing deep financial loss and leadership upheaval, the Blue Earth Nicollet County Humane Society has found its footing and begun rebuilding its operations with an eye toward long-term sustainability.
The nonprofit animal shelter entered 2025 facing a projected deficit of almost $400,000 and strained relationships between board members and staff. Disagreements over leadership roles and “overreach” from the board of directors, culminated in resignations and left the shelter operating short-handed, said executive director, Dede Barton.
“There was always this back and forth, and a lot of tension between the executive director and shelter manager and the board,” Barton said.
Since then, the board, shelter leadership and outside partners have focused on restructuring the organization. With assistance from the Mankato Area Foundation, which Barton said has been “instrumental” in their progress, BENCHS brought in consultants to review bylaws, business practices and financial operations.
“We had to make a lot of changes in every piece of the operation, from as simple as us answering the phone to laying off some staff, looking at every recurring expense to see if it was needed, literally turning everything upside down,” Barton said.
According to board president Shannon Sinning, early projections showed the organization was on track for a substantial loss. Instead, the shelter ended the year with a small surplus.
Sinning, who has extensive experience serving on nonprofit boards and has held this position since March 2025, said the restructured approach clarified the board’s role in oversight while allowing staff to manage daily shelter operations. He credited Barton, Trish Boeke and Terri Hanson Estes, business manager and shelter manager, respectively, with carrying out the changes while the board remained largely hands-off.
“One of the biggest reasons for the success of this year is because we had a board that supported us and let us do our job,” Barton said.
Scrutinizing every expense while continuing to care for animals was a balancing act amid the tight financial constraints. The consultants helped BENCHS calculate the true daily cost of caring for each animal, giving leadership a clearer picture of what was required to operate responsibly.
To further address financial pressures, BENCHS shifted its fundraising strategy. During Give to the Max Day, the shelter raised more than $85,000 from 265 donors, far exceeding past totals. Barton said the response demonstrated strong community support after residents became concerned the shelter might close.
The shelter has also launched sustaining donor and corporate partner programs. More than 100 monthly donors now provide approximately $4,800 in predictable income each month, supplemented by 12 corporate partners who contribute funding, labor or materials annually.
Today, BENCHS operates with a smaller, but determined staff. Outside of the management team, the shelter employs seven animal care technicians. Barton said the organization does not plan to return to its previous staffing levels of nearly 20 employees, and volunteers continue to play a critical role, assisting with animal enrichment, kennel maintenance and cat condo upkeep.
Sue Beyer has been volunteering at the shelter since 2014. She’s worn many hats over the years, now primarily doing building maintenance two or three days a week and noted her “favorite days are those that I spend at BENCHS.”
“I can see a new positive attitude,” Beyer said. “Not only have the past dedicated volunteers continued to make a difference at BENCHS, but new volunteers have joined this past year, and as a team, they’re helping to keep the shelter clean and enriching the lives of the dog and cat residents.”
Despite internal progress, BENCHS continues to face the same pressures confronting shelters statewide. Barton said the shelter is currently full, with no empty dog kennels and dozens of animals on the waiting lists. Approximately 50 cats and 20 dogs are waiting for space, with intake dependent entirely on adoption rates.
They do not euthanize animals for space, Barton said. When space is unavailable, staff place owners on waiting lists and connect them with other regional rescues.
Looking ahead to 2026, Barton said priorities include expanding sustaining donations, improving staff safety and upgrading parts of the shelter building, which opened in 2010. Planned improvements include new safety doors and updates to animal housing areas.
“There were a lot of negatives at this time last year,” Sinning added. “I have a good feeling about BENCHS and hope people realize in the community, if they haven’t already, that it’s in good hands with the leadership on the board and the leadership within the organization.”
For more information, visit benchs.org.