Minnesotans United for All Families, the coalition of groups opposed to a constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage reported over the weekend that they raised $1.2 million in 2011 to defeat the amendment. The majority of donations came from Minnesota.
According to the documents, Minnesota Twins owner Jim Pohlad gave $10,000. Marilyn Carlson Nelson of Minneapolis-based Carlson Companies gave the largest single contribution — $40,000. Carlson Companies owns hotels, restaurants and travel businesses. Other gay rights groups gave tens of thousands of dollars.
About three-fourths of the money came from donors within Minnesota, said campaign manager Richard Carlbom.
According to the Star Tribune, also giving were Charles Zelle, president and CEO of bus company Jefferson Lines, George Pillsbury and Bruce Dayton, the father of Gov. Mark Dayton.