Community Initiatives
In addition to our grantmaking, we take an active role in many community initiatives that make the East Metro and Minnesota better for all who call them home.
Our role varies in each initiative, ranging from fiscal sponsorship and administrative support to staffing and strategic leadership. Below is a partial list of our current and past initiatives.
Current Initiatives
The Center for Economic Inclusion works across the public- and private-sector to strengthen the Minneapolis-Saint Paul region’s civic infrastructure and advance an inclusive economy.
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The Coalition for Inclusive Communities learning network aims to advance equity in the workplace and build community cohesion while serving as an interactive learning lab for participants.
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This Saint Paul pilot program was designed by and for the community to help families send their children to educational opportunities after high school, by establishing college savings accounts for every child born in Saint Paul.
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The Community Sharing Fund partners with more than 100 community organizations to identify and provide small emergency grants to families and individuals facing short-term financial setbacks.
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The Council for Black Male Success, a collective group of community organization leaders, seeks to make the opportunity landscape easier to navigate for young Black men ages 11-32 in Saint Paul.
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This collaborative is focused on increasing economic vitality for residents on the East Side of Saint Paul, particularly the Dayton’s Bluff and Payne-Phalen neighborhoods.
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GenNext is a coalition of civic, business and education leaders from across Minneapolis and Saint Paul dedicated to closing achievement and opportunity gaps to ensure that every child can thrive.
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The Heading Home Minnesota collaborative is a member organization comprised of grantmakers and intermediaries committed to working together to prevent and end homelessness in Minnesota.
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This multi-year collaboration among the Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation, Greater Twin Cities United Way and The Minneapolis Foundations seeks to transform the criminal justice system in Greater MSP.
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The Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation has partnered with Greater Minnesota Housing Fund to address affordable housing shortages by developing a long-term housing impact fund that will finance both preservation and production of affordable housing.
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ConnectedMN is a public-private partnership to ensure students from high-need and underserved communities have the tools and support they need to participate in digital learning, including tech devices and internet access.
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This pilot program by the City of Saint Paul will provide up to 150 Saint Paul families with $500 per month in guaranteed income for a period of up to 18 months.
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As part of our support for criminal justice reform, this fund supports Ramsey County’s initiative to reduce non-public safety-related traffic stops.
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This transformative education collaborative brings together families, schools and the community to put children on the pathway to college and career.
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Community Leaders Fund
Community initiatives connect to our purpose of inspiring generosity, advocating for equity and investing in community-led solutions. Our leadership team makes it a priority to participate in broader initiatives like the ones above, as well as others, to invest our time in meaningful dialogue and collaborations.
If you’re interested in supporting this type of work with the Foundation, please consider a donation to our Community Leaders Fund.
Email our Philanthropic Services team to learn more.
