Cultivating
Change at
the Capitol
As a community foundation, the Minneapolis Foundation fuels positive change in a variety of ways—including legislative advocacy. Along with levers such as research and impact investing, advocacy is an important tool that complements the grantmaking we do and the philanthropic services we provide to fundholders—all in the name of meeting our mission of driving collective action to realize strong, vibrant communities.
“We support public policies that strengthen the communities we serve. Our advocacy is informed by many partners who are doing important work to address racial and economic inequities that affect the lives of Minnesotans.”
For years, the Foundation has made grants to nonprofits that advocate for investments in our public schools, reforms to our criminal legal system, and resources to support economic development and generational wealth-building in communities of color. Increasingly, we pair that grantmaking with direct advocacy at the state Capitol and other levels of government.
Our 2024-25 state policy agenda reflects our commitment to dismantling inequitable systems and practices so that everyone in our community has the resources they need to thrive. It also aligns with the values articulated in our Strategic Framework, which calls for us to listen closely, to amplify the voices of those most affected by injustice, and to support solutions that are shaped by local communities.
Our priorities include...
Economic Development
Removing barriers for small business owners by…
Amending the eligible uses of an existing state grant or loan program to include property acquisition and pre-development costs along key commercial corridors statewide.
Education
Supporting school leadership and literacy by…
1) Providing ongoing state funding to conduct the Minnesota Principals Survey;
2) Establishing a proxy to identify students experiencing poverty for the purpose of determining compensatory funding for schools; and
3) Providing additional resources to support Minnesota teachers, schools, and other education leaders as they implement the READ Act.
Democracy
Achieving equal rights for all Minnesotans by…
Putting the Equal Rights Amendment to the Minnesota Constitution on the ballot for voters to ratify in 2026.
Criminal Justice Reform
Ensuring schools are safe spaces for kids by…
Prohibiting custodial interrogation of minors without an attorney present, and making student statements made to school staff inadmissible in legal proceedings.
Immigration
Protecting our neighbors, co-workers, and family members by…
Prohibiting state and local law enforcement from using state resources for civil immigration enforcement. This includes sharing data or accepting federal funds that would require such cooperation.
Learn more about our legislative agenda by downloading this PDF.
