Reimagining Education in 2024 

Our investments combine research, advocacy, and grantmaking to help ensure that all students receive an excellent education that prepares them to reach their fullest potential.

Investing in Minneapolis Public Schools – In partnership with five of our fundholders, we invested more than $1.3 million in the Minneapolis school district to support literacy and leadership during the 2024-2025 school year. Our commitment includes more than $1 million for MPS to hire 10 literacy specialists and nearly $250,000 to support the district’s Grow Your Own programs, which are designed to address the district’s teacher shortage and increase teacher diversity. Read our Star Tribune commentary on the importance of supporting Minneapolis Public Schools.

Reimagine Education Grants – We awarded more than $1.1 million in grants to 29 local schools, school districts, and nonprofits that are advancing equity and uplifting youth voices in Minnesota’s K-12 education system. These investments fuel school and community programs that are shaped and led by the Minnesotans with most at stake in our education system: Teachers, school leaders, families, and the students who are our state’s future. See who we funded.

Minnesota Principals Survey – Researchers at the University of Minnesota released reports and key findings from the second biennial survey of school principals statewide. We launched this groundbreaking survey in partnership with the U to elevate the voices of principals, who play a critical role in our education system. In 2024, we advocated for ongoing state funding to continue the survey, an effort we will continue during the 2025 legislative session. Read our Star Tribune editorial.

A Convening on School Leadership and Literacy – In May, we invited fundholders and community leaders to join us for a panel discussion featuring educators, researchers, and legislators at the forefront of important education policy changes in Minnesota. They dug into the changing landscape of literacy, new efforts to elevate the voices of teachers and principals, and how the Minneapolis Foundation is contributing to this work. Watch event highlights.

Understanding Native Minnesota – We are partnering with the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community to award hundreds of small grants to support K-12 educators as they teach students about Native American culture, history, and modern tribal governments. Part of the tribe’s Understand Native Minnesota campaign, this funding opportunity focuses on improving the narrative about Native peoples, their history and culture, and modern tribal governments. To date, we have distributed nearly $400,000 to support 239 projects led by educators and school leaders in 99 school districts all over Minnesota.

Groves Literacy Partnerships brings the science of reading to schools everywhere, offering high-quality curricula and coaching to support teachers as they nurture strong readers. A multi-year grant partner of the Minneapolis Foundation, Groves is also fueled by fundholders Liz and Van Hawn, who used their Donor Advised Fund to help the organization launch a new pilot project. Read their story. 

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Learn more about our work in 2024 by exploring our year in review.