The Minneapolis Foundation awards its Community Grants to support policy and systems change work in the following areas:
Affordable Housing
The Minneapolis Foundation supports systems change and policy efforts that will result in safe, decent, affordable housing for all Minnesotans. Sample activities may include:
- organizing and training low-income Minnesotans and others affected by the affordable housing shortage to advocate on their own behalf
- promoting accountability of local, regional, state, and federal governmental agencies to ensure both commitment and follow-through on housing creation and preservation
- educating and engaging the public on the need for increased investment in affordable housing
Economic Opportunity
The Minneapolis Foundation supports systems change and policy efforts that will result in increased economic opportunities and advancement for disadvantaged Minnesotans and distressed Minnesota communities. Sample activities may include:
- increasing entrepreneurship and business start-ups in economically depressed neighborhoods and regions
- stimulating economic equity for low-income communities and communities of color
- promoting balanced and equitable regional growth approaches that link between transportation, jobs, housing, and education
Educational Achievement
The Minneapolis Foundation supports systems change and policy efforts to ensure access to quality education for all Minnesota children and strengthen the public school system. Sample activities may include:
- promoting changes within existing public school systems that address documented disparities in academic performance, attendance, graduation rates, and suspension rates
- creating public awareness of the challenges in funding public education and sustaining school and teacher leadership
Health and Well-being of Children, Youth, and Families
The Minneapolis Foundation supports systems change and policy efforts to increase opportunities for low-income and disadvantaged children, youth and families, particularly communities of color. Sample activities may include:
- promoting social justice and human rights by addressing disparities and other inequities in service delivery and funding of public programs
- educating the public on disparities in health, education, and other quality of life areas and on the benefits of addressing these issues at the earliest possible age
- addressing the needs of new immigrants, refugees, and migrant populations in accessing systems and community supports
- identifying and documenting emerging needs of underrepresented and disenfranchised groups
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