Driving Support for Military Families: An Interview with Jim Carey, Board Member, Minnesota Military Family Foundation
When Jim Carey stepped onto the golf course to participate in the recent Minnesota Military Family Foundation (MMFF) Golf Classic, he was not there just to play golf. As managing partner at SiebenCarey, a founding sponsor of the Golf Classic, and a long-time board member of MMFF, Jim has witnessed firsthand how the Foundation changes lives for military families in crisis.
Jim recently sat down to discuss his role, his connection to the Foundation, and why events like the Golf Classic hold such significance for him and the law firm.
Q: Jim, what’s your current role with MMFF, and how long have you been serving?
Jim: “I am a member of the Board of Directors of the Minnesota Military Family Foundation. I've been serving for several years now — well over five — and I’ve enjoyed every minute of it.”
Q: What stands out most to you about the Foundation’s impact?
Jim: “It is near and dear to my heart when we can help soldiers whose families are deployed. I have two sons who served in Iraq, and Harry [Sieben] served for decades in the U.S. Army and Minnesota National Guard, leaving the military as a Major General. I know firsthand what families deal with emotionally and financially. When we can help, especially with these younger families where maybe they don’t have a lot of money in the bank, it makes you feel good.”
Q: For those who want to support the Foundation, what’s the best way to get involved?
Jim: “Through our website and online portals, people can connect with us and find opportunities to volunteer. There are also opportunities to contribute financially. We’ve got solid partners who help us both with their time and resources. If people are interested, we’ll find ways to let them help us.”
Q: Can you share a memorable example of the grant requests you’ve reviewed?
Jim: “A lot of times it involves unpredictable financial challenges. Maybe a furnace goes out in the middle of winter, or a tornado comes through. When we can step in quickly — like replacing a furnace for a mom and three kids with no heat — that stands out to me. It makes me feel good about what we do.”
Q: What makes serving on the MMFF board meaningful for you personally?
Jim: “I’ve sat on other boards, but what I like about this one is that the people genuinely care about what they’re doing. This isn’t a business; it’s personal for everyone involved. It really is the finest board I’ve ever served on, and I hope they’ll have me for a long time.”
Carrying on the Mission
Jim and SiebenCarey continue to show up year after year for the Minnesota Military Family Foundation, not just in boardrooms but also on the greens. At this year’s MMFF Golf Classic, SiebenCarey was once again a proud sponsor, helping raise critical funds to support Minnesota service members and their families in times of urgent need.
How You Can Help
While the Golf Classic may be over, the need never is. To learn more about the Minnesota Military Family Foundation, volunteer, or make a donation, visit MinnesotaMilitaryFamilyFoundation.org.
