Northside Achievement Zone (NAZ)

The NAZ mission is to end multi-generational poverty in North Minneapolis by building a culture of achievement where all low-income children of color have the support they need to graduate high school and succeed in college, career, and life. This is How NAZ Works.

Thank you to everyone who supported NAZ during Give to the Max Day 2024. Your gift, combined with hundreds of others, raised $41,927.50, earning NAZ a coveted position as one of the 'Top 50' earners out of more than 6,556 during the annual giving holiday. We look forward to sharing the impact of your generosity in the days and months ahead. If you didn't get a chance to participate, there's still time to donate! bit.ly/NAZGTMD24

Thank you to everyone who has already contributed this Give to the Max Day in support of our NAZ scholars and families. Won’t you join us in championing our scholars and families by making a gift today? bit.ly/NAZGTMD24

Give to the Max Day is today, and NAZ is proud to join more than 6,500 MN-based nonprofits for the Great Minnesota Give Together. Thanks to a matching challenge grant from our board, ALL gifts to NAZ made before midnight tonight will be matched, dollar-for-dollar, up to $25,000 – DOUBLING YOUR IMPACT! Donate using the link below. When you give to NAZ, you’re helping to build the academic and emotional foundation that Northside scholars need to succeed. We’re not only changing the trajectory for these children but for future generations of Northsiders to come. GIVE GENEROUSLY! bit.ly/NAZGTMD24

We believe at NAZ that we owe it to our community to be "our best selves to best serve." Last month we paused operations for an intensive week of development for our entire team. Much of the week was spent on professional and personal growth all within the theme of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) Homecoming! Staff had the opportunity to learn about HBCUs, dive deep into departments within the organization they may have been less familiar with, and build lasting relationships with coworkers. We ended the week with an all-day personal wellness event where staff were free to sample an array of wellness approaches – from acupuncture to bike riding. Thank you Team NAZ for all of the work you do to be the very best for our community!

The Healthy Ways Northside Staff Wellness Fair gave NAZ employees and Healthy Ways Northside partner staff the opportunity to partake in activities promoting physical and mental wellbeing, ultimately allowing them to be their 'Best Selves to Best Serve' the Northside community!

The precarious state of American communities and the solutions offered by place-based organizations like NAZ was the topic for a discussion hosted by StriveTogether, featuring NAZ President & CEO Sondra Samuels as one of the panelists. Inspired by Dr. Seth Kaplan's book, "Fragile Neighborhoods: Strengthening Futures with Local Solutions," the workshop also included Dr. Kaplan and Dreama Gentry, President & CEO of Partners for Rural Impact (PRI) in conversation. The perspective was shared that, while it's easy to blame politics for our nation's challenges, in reality, politics are downstream of society. Over the last 50+ years, Americans?have become more isolated,?lonely,?and socially fragmented, leading to the decay of neighborhoods and a disappearance of the feeling of community we once enjoyed and could rely on. Organizations like NAZ and PRI are focused on "stewarding" a place, building the social?capital?of its residents, to ensure they thrive.?

Join Sondra Samuels and other leaders as they discuss issues important to present-day scholars and families and future generations.

At NAZ, our north star is our goal for every child to have the opportunity to live up to their potential, and that shared vision drives all that we do. Our work in North Minneapolis is at the forefront nationally of creating equitable communities, and working for NAZ offers the opportunity to live your values all week long. NAZ currently has openings in Data and Reporting, Family Achievement, Healthy Ways Northside, and Wealth Builds–a brand new program to NAZ. Join our growing team and be part of the movement.

“I?want my story to matter,” he said. Harlem Children's Zone's CEO Kwame Owusu-Kesse has been named to TIME's 100 NEXT–a list of "today’s most influential leaders ... who are not waiting long in life to make an impact." He's being recognized for the creation of his innovative strategy, Wealth Builds, designed to erase the wealth gap. NAZ has had the pleasure of collaborating with Kwame and the HCZ team frequently over the last four years. His vision continues to positively impact the children of Harlem and we've been able to bring those learnings to North Minneapolis. Congratulations and thank you Kwame; we are honored to be doing this work together.