The Minneapolis Foundation

We recently visited LaZya Smith, Dr Billy Charvez Russell, and other changemakers at Greater Friendship Missionary Baptist Church in south Minneapolis to get a closer look at a powerful program serving young people. The church's Youth Empowerment and Re-entry Initiative supports youth ages 11-30, particularly those who are justice-involved or at risk of engagement with the criminal justice system. It offers a range of activities that promote physical, mental, and emotional health, alongside programs that facilitate successful re-entry. We're proud to support this work through the Fund for Safe Communities! Learn more in this 2-minute video: https://lnkd.in/etim4-eP

"Alight has experienced the most challenging six weeks that I, at least, have seen in my tenure as CEO." Jocelyn Wyatt leads Alight, a humanitarian aid organization with deep Minnesota roots that works hand in hand with refugees and displaced communities around the world. She joined our colleague Tom Weber last week for the latest episode of The State of Nonprofits, a video series where we check in with nonprofit leaders on how they're navigating a period of rapid change. The work Alight does is, quite literally, life-saving. This conversation lays out very clearly how decisions at the federal level affect real people, both in Minnesota and globally. Listen:

Congratulations to everyone who received grants from the Hear the Impact Fund! In a variety of ways, all these organizations provide important services to Minnesotans who are deaf, deafblind, or hard of hearing. These grants are a great example of how we work with generous people to translate charitable intent into meaningful action. Check out our blog to learn more about the Hear the Impact Fund and this special grant round. Anderson Center | CHARLES THOMPSON MEMORIAL HALL | Deaf Equity | DeafBlind Services Minnesota | InControl | Metro Deaf School | Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid | Minnesota Deaf Muslim Community (MDMC) | Minnesota Deaf Queers | Minnesota Deaf Senior Citizens | Minnesota DeafBlind Association | Miracle-Ear Foundation | Mixed Blood Theatre Company | Pawsitivity Service Dogs | Theatre In The Round Players | ThinkSelf Minnesota Deaf Adult Education and Advocacy | Wilderness Inquiry

The Indigenous Protector Movement is dedicated to creating a community where Indigenous youth and young adults feel safe, valued, and empowered to shape their own futures. Their Women’s Warrior Society serves girls and women at Little Earth United Tribes in South Minneapolis. We're proud to support this work through our Fund for Safe Communities. Get a closer look in this 90-second video:

?? Our latest grant round just opened! Starting today, we are accepting proposals for work that advances equity on issues related to Economic Mobility, one of three core areas of our staff-directed grantmaking. This funding opportunity reflects updates we have made to our Racial and Economic Justice grant program in response to feedback about the need for more flexible resources to support organizations focused on economic mobility. Our 2025 grants will focus on capacity building and operating support as these organizations adjust to recent changes in the funding and policy landscape. We will accept applications until 1 p.m. on April 15. We also welcome applicants to join us on March 17 for a Zoom information session about this grant round. Now more than ever, we are committed to affirming the value of our state’s nonprofit sector, and to trusting and supporting organizations that are doing essential work in a time of great need. Learn more, start your application, or find out how you can support this work: https://lnkd.in/gijzQUwk

Congratulations to Jo-Anne Stately, our Senior Vice President of Impact, on being named a 2025 Women in Business honoree by Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal (MSPBJ)! In her decades of service to our community, Jo-Anne's contributions would fill a book, spanning workforce development and housing to the environment and public health. We are thrilled at this much-deserved recognition of her leadership! https://lnkd.in/gz_xUaGi

Urban Youth Conservation works with the community, judicial members, and local police departments to help reduce violence and recidivism. The group mentors justice-involved youth as they re-enter society, providing access to mental health services, assistance seeking employment, and more. The bottom line, as Executive Director Ferome Brown explains it? Keeping young people safe, alive, and free. We’re proud to support this work through our Fund for Safe Communities. Get a closer look in this 90-second video:

Last week, we hosted a gathering of stakeholders from school districts, colleges, and agencies that support young people as they explore careers and get ready to enter the workforce. The work these leaders are doing is critical for both Minnesota’s students and our economy, and we are deeply grateful for their partnership as we consider how philanthropic organizations can help strengthen youth career pathways. We’re excited to share more about our findings in the next few months!