$452,330 Awarded in OneMPLS Grants to Support Pandemic Response

The Minneapolis Foundation today announced that it has awarded $452,330 in grants from its OneMPLS Fund in support of regional efforts to address the economic impact of COVID-19.

These OneMPLS grants provide flexible resources to support business and essential program continuity for local organizations that serve communities disproportionately affected by the pandemic. The grants announced today will support the work of 27 nonprofit organizations, with an average award of just over $16,750. Grant recipients will use funding to address needs such as home delivery of food and supplies to seniors, services for homeless youth, rent and utility payments for vulnerable populations, and support for artists and gig workers who have lost work during the pandemic.

The Foundation is accepting applications for this funding opportunity on a rolling basis and expects to award a second round of OneMPLS grants in the next week.

The Foundation began accepting applications for these pandemic response grants on March 30 and made the first round of funding decisions just four days later, an unusually quick turnaround that reflects both the urgent challenges posed by the pandemic and the nimbleness of the OneMPLS Fund, which is designed to respond to emerging community needs. Since March 30, nearly 150 organizations have requested more than $7.4 million—more than seven times the amount currently available in the OneMPLS Fund, including the awards announced today. Applications continue to come in.

“The need is great, and we are grateful to the many individuals and businesses who have made these grants possible by supporting the OneMPLS Fund,” said Chanda Smith Baker, Senior Vice President of Impact at The Minneapolis Foundation. “These nonprofit organizations are essential to the fabric of our community, and we must all work together to help them continue providing services at this critical time.”

Businesses and members of the public are encouraged to contribute to the OneMPLS Fund, a collective impact fund that was launched in 2018 and seeded with funding from The Minneapolis Foundation and public contributions. Contributions are welcome in any amount and can be made online.

In addition to the OneMPLS Fund, The Minneapolis Foundation administers more than 1,400 charitable funds established by generous individuals, families and businesses—many of whom have increased their giving in response to the pandemic. In March, grant dollars from Donor Advised Funds at the Foundation increased by 104% as compared to the same time period last year, putting $11.6 million out into the community.

The complete list of organizations that will receive the OneMPLS grants announced today is as follows:

All Square

• $15,000 to support living wages for All Square Fellows to continue during the initial phase of the pandemic.

American Indian Housing Corporation

• $35,000 for hazard pay to provide supportive and homeless housing for Native individuals and families.

At Home Group Inc – Small Sums

• $10,000 to support struggling essential workers with work necessities.

Avenues for Homeless Youth

• $10,000 to support increased demand and services for homeless youth.

Basic Needs Inc. of South Washington County dba Stone Soup Thrift Shop

• $10,000 to support online food package ordering and pick-up.

Centro Tyrone Guzman

• $20,000 to support the delivery of home meals for Latinx elders and other emergency support for families.

Community Emergency Assistance Program

• $10,000 to support the distribution of emergency food and supplies.

Comunidades Latinas Unidas en Servicio

• $30,000 to support increased staff to provide emergency services to Latino families.

Dar-Us-Salaam Cultural Center

• $10,000 to support food and shelter assistance for individuals and families.

Good in the ‘Hood

• $10,000 to support food stability for individuals and families.

Help At Your Door

• $10,000 to support the delivery of food and supplies for seniors and differently-abled individuals.

House of Charity, Inc.

• $15,000 to support increased expenses and demand for meals for the homeless.

Launch Ministry

• $12,500 to support food, basic needs supplies, and emergency shelter for homeless youth in Carver and Scott counties.

Loaves and Fishes Too

• $20,000 to support mobile meals and groceries for individuals and families.

Minnesota Dawah Institute

• $10,000 to support meals and groceries for seniors, youth counseling/support via phone, temporary housing, and basic needs items in St. Paul.

Network for Better Futures

• $25,000 to support emergency assistance, meals, and support services for formerly incarcerated clients and social enterprise warehouse staff.

Pillsbury United Communities

• $30,000 to support food shelves, free prepared meals in Minneapolis, and artist stipends.

Prince of Peace Lutheran Church – Mission Outpost

• $25,000 to support food, clothing, and basic needs assistance for families in Dakota and Scott counties.

Ragamala Music and Dance Theater

• $27,830 to support local artists, teachers, and staff during pandemic-related cancellations of classes and new works.

Resources, Justice & Management

• $20,000 to support gig workers in the beauty industry.

Soo Visual Arts Center

• $12,000 to support virtual programming and commissioning short projects/work from local artists.

Southeast Seniors, A Living at Home Block Nursing Program

• $10,000 to support the home delivery of essential basic needs for older adults.

St. Stephen’s Human Services

• $10,000 to support expanded emergency shelter and street outreach for homeless individuals in Minneapolis.

The Dwelling Place

• $10,000 to support women and children leaving abusive situations.

The Neighborhood Hub

• $15,000 to support food, housing assistance, basic needs supplies, and employment search assistance in North Minneapolis.

Urban Ventures Leadership Foundation

• $25,000 to provide rent and utility assistance to undocumented families.

WomenVenture

• $15,000 for technical assistance for women-owned businesses impacted by closures.

To apply for a grant or make a tax-deductible online donation to the OneMPLS Fund, go here.