Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation

Today is Earth Day, and 10 environmental nonprofits in the Twin Cities are joining together as the Earth Day Collaborative to raise funds that will protect our air, water, land and people. 🌎 Donations to the collaborative will be distributed across organizations that together will work toward a stronger, greener future, from safeguarding pollinators to advancing climate-resilient practices. Here are a few ways you can help: 🌳 Engage — What better time to volunteer your time than National Volunteer Week? Volunteer with a local organization, attend an Earth Day event or learn about ways to reduce your environmental footprint. 🌳 Share — Spread the word and encourage your friends to give to protect Minnesota's natural resources. 🌳 Donate — Contributions directly fund critical environmental work across Minnesota. Learn more about the Earth Day Giving Collaborative ⬇️ #EarthDay #EnvironmentalNonprofit #ClimateAction #sustainability #Minnesota

Happy National Volunteer Week! Celebrated annually during the third week of April, National Volunteer Week is an opportunity to promote and show appreciation for volunteerism. The Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation has a history of volunteering with various organizations during annual staff service days. Last year we had the great opportunity to pack welcome home and hygiene kits with @neighborhoodhousemn. Where are some of your favorite places to volunteer in your community? Let us know in the comments! #NationalVolunteerWeek #volunteerism #VolunteerMN #Minnesota #TwinCities #SaintPaul

Congratulations to our Chief Investment Officer Shannon O'Leary on being named to the Power100 Presented By Blueprint Capital Advisors LLC Allocators in Endowments and Foundations Part II list!   We’re proud of Shannon’s innovative leadership and her commitment to fostering sustainable, inclusive growth at the Foundation.

We're pleased to announce the promotion of Alfonso Tomás Wenker to Senior Vice President of Community Impact! 🎉 During his tenure, Alfonso has led the Foundation’s Community Impact team through a transformative, community-informed grantmaking redesign and expanded the team’s role in policy and advocacy work. “I am grateful to the Foundation and the Community Impact team for their trust in my leadership and vision. As a Saint Paul kid, the Foundation has long been a part of my story, and I look forward to continuing to pay if forward in partnership with community,” said Alfonso. Please join us in celebrating Alfonso and his continued leadership at the Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation! 👏 Read the announcement ➡️ https://hubs.ly/Q03hFtCR0

In 2024, Collectivity had the privilege of guiding the Community Sharing Fund (CSF) through a strategic planning process to expand its impact. CSF, a program of the Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation, provides critical, last-resort financial support to individuals and families in crisis—ensuring that 100% of every dollar raised goes directly back into the community. Now, as CSF looks ahead to 2025 and beyond, the organization is implementing a bold new strategy focused on: ♦️ Expanding access by removing restrictive eligibility criteria ♦️ Addressing systemic inequities beyond immediate financial aid ♦️ Strengthening partnerships to support community organizations ♦️ Ensuring the fund’s long-term sustainability Our conversation with Arbadella, CSF’s program manager, discussed her excitement for this next chapter, emphasizing the importance of collaboration, trust in the process, and a commitment to equity in meeting the evolving needs of the community. 🔎 Want to learn more? Read our full Q&A with Arbadella and explore CSF’s updated vision here: https://lnkd.in/gReVkFYX

We joined together with more than 200 organizations (and growing) to sign a public statement from philanthropy, expressing our steadfast support in protecting our freedom to give and invest as an expression of our own distinct values. Philanthropic organizations contribute across the country in crucial ways. Especially in this time of great need, we must have the freedom to direct our resources to a wide variety of important services, issues and places, to improve lives today and build a stronger future for our country. The health and safety of our communities, our nation’s economic stability and the vibrancy of our democracy depend on it. We find ourselves facing the threat of governmental attacks on our ability to carry out our mission at a time when communities need us the most. At the Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation, we envision an equitable, just and vibrant Minnesota where all communities and people thrive. View all the organizations that have signed on to the Council on Foundations' statement ⬇️

We're thrilled to launch our first-ever LinkedIn newsletter - Building a Vibrant Minnesota! 🌟 It’s all about the people and organizations making Minnesota better for all who call it home. Each month, we’ll introduce you to changemakers in our community. You'll hear how our donors, partnerships, grants, investments and projects advance community visions. We’ll also share grant opportunities and other invitations to partner with us. We could all use a little vibrancy in our inboxes. Subscribe and share to continue hearing positive stories inspiring us all to continue building a vibrant Minnesota together! Check out our first edition ⬇️

We're thrilled to launch our first-ever LinkedIn newsletter - Building a Vibrant Minnesota! 🌟 It’s all about the people and organizations making Minnesota better for all who call it home. Each month, we’ll introduce you to changemakers in our community. You'll hear how our donors, partnerships, grants, investments and projects advance community visions. We’ll also share grant opportunities and other invitations to partner with us. We could all use a little vibrancy in our inboxes. Subscribe and share to continue hearing positive stories inspiring us all to continue building a vibrant Minnesota together! Check out our first edition ⬇️

According to the National Low Income Housing Coalition, Indigenous communities have some of the most challenging housing needs in the country, due in part to the lack of federal funding to build and preserve affordable housing. “Native homeownership is about 25 percent lower than the state average,” said Rory Taylor, director of partnerships and development at Mni Sota Fund. “About one in two native people in the state own their home and I think that's tied up in part of our larger conversations around the lack of Native wealth in the state in terms of building strong people, strong families and strong communities.” Mni Sota Fund is addressing these challenges through the launch of Mni Sota Mortgage Company — a groundbreaking initiative that provides culturally relevant and accessible mortgage solutions and contributes to an increase in the local Native homeownership rate. “For us, home ownership solves both a housing issue and a prosperity issue,” said Rory. “We see ourselves as a bridge getting people from the current context to one where they can build power through asset ownership.” Mni Sota Fund is a 2024 Bush Prize: Minnesota winner, recognized for its innovative work and commitment to advancing community-led solutions. See the impact of Mni Sota Fund's transformative programs ➡️ https://hubs.ly/Q03hk0bX0 #ImpactInAction #NativeHousing #IndigenousWealth #HousingStability #HousingAffordability #CommunityImpact #Minnesota

Bush Prize: Minnesota identifies and honors extraordinary organizations that consistently engage and lead their community toward creative solutions, provides them with flexible support to keep doing that work, and supports them to amplify their story to inspire others. The 2025 application period is open until April 30. Learn more: bit.ly/3IEDb0o Bush Prize: Minnesota is operated by our community grant partner Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation.