The Minneapolis Foundation

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!

Earlier this month, we hosted a conversation with the Superintendent of Minneapolis Public Schools and members of her leadership team. Dr. Lisa Sayles-Adams shared insights on her first year leading the school district, updates on our partnership with the district to support student literacy, and thoughts on the critical challenges ahead. Thanks to everyone who came together for this discussion! We’re proud to partner with both the school district and generous Minnesotans who are committed to supporting our community’s students. Learn more about how we're partnering to support the school district this year: https://lnkd.in/g6RVFZ_M

We're hiring! We're seeking two Philanthropic Advisor Associates to join our team of passionate community builders. Both positions will actively work with our team of experienced Philanthropic Advisors to support donors as they make impactful contributions and direct grants to nonprofit organizations. One associate will focus on a portfolio of 500+ existing donors. The other associate will guide and support both existing and prospective donors, along with their wealth advisors. The person in this role will also foster meaningful connections by facilitating strategic engagement between donors and the people, programs, and organizations that align with their philanthropic goals. Spread the word about these fantastic career opportunities!

Our Fund for Safe Communities supports tangible, specific actions to prevent violence and promote healing, from mentor-mentee programs to youth sports to wraparound services for justice-involved youth. The fund is guided by an advisory committee of emerging leaders who have personal experience with community violence. Now, these young leaders are getting ready to make their next round of grants—and you can help them. If you care about violence prevention, contributing to their Spring 2025 grant round is a great opportunity to support young people in Minneapolis and team up with others for good. Watch this video (featuring Ferome Brown, Dr Billy Charvez Russell, KJ Rolenc, Lewiee Blaze, and our colleagues Sara Lueben and Patrice Relerford) for a closer look at what it's all about:

?? Our latest grant round just opened! The West Bank Community Fund will award grants of up to $5,000 to organizations serving residents of the West Bank neighborhood of Minneapolis. We will accept grant applications until 1 p.m. on March 12. Spread the word and apply today!

In January, we hosted a webinar called The State of Minnesota Nonprofits where we discussed the latest research from the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits and key challenges facing the nonprofit sector. To keep that conversation going, we’ve launched a follow-up video series hosted by our Senior Director of Special Initiatives, Tom Weber. In this series, Tom connects with nonprofit leaders to check in on how they’re navigating an era of rapid change. The first episode features Chris LaTondresse, President and CEO of Beacon Interfaith Housing Collaborative. Tom and Chris discuss the current challenges in providing supportive housing, particularly in the light of federal funding uncertainties, and share how individuals can get involved to make a difference. Watch their conversation:

The Northside Funders Group and its youth-led grantmaking committee have started reading and reviewing grant applications for the Northside Youth Enrichment Fund. This fund supports Northside projects that expand learning by connecting young people to enrichment opportunities in and outside the classroom.? ? Fiscally sponsored by the Minneapolis Foundation, Northside Funders Group is a collaborative effort of 12 local grantmakers that share a commitment to supporting North Minneapolis. We’re proud to be part of this group, and to support collective giving that empowers young people!