The Minneapolis Foundation Awards $1.57 Million in OneMPLS “Rebuild” Grants

The Minneapolis Foundation today announced more than $1.57 million in OneMPLS grants to 16 nonprofit organizations that are supporting Minneapolis businesses led by Black, Indigenous, and people of color who were in financial distress due to COVID-19, and who are now facing additional hardships as a result of the civil unrest following the killing of George Floyd.

“The businesses that these grants will support are led by Black, Indigenous and people of color who share the pain, faith, determination, and resilience of their communities,” said Jo-Anne Stately, the Minneapolis Foundation’s Director of Impact for Economic Vitality. “They’re working to rebuild and ensure their communities thrive, and we’re thankful for their continued dedication during these uncertain times.”

In addition to the 16 grants announced today, which were awarded through a competitive process, the Minneapolis Foundation made five rapid grants of $100,000 apiece in mid-June to five nonprofits that were on the ground providing technical and financial assistance to small businesses in the immediate aftermath of George Floyd’s killing. Those grants supported the Latino Economic Development Center, the Lake Street Council, the Neighborhood Development Center, the Northside Economic Opportunity Network, and the Northside Funders Group.

These OneMPLS “Rebuild” grants build on four previous rounds of OneMPLS grants totaling nearly $2 million that were distributed this spring to help local communities cope with the initial economic consequences of COVID-19.

Businesses and members of the public are encouraged to contribute to the OneMPLS Fund, a collective impact fund that was launched in 2018 to expand The Minneapolis Foundation’s capacity to respond to emerging community needs. Contributions are welcome in any amount and can be made online.

“We are very grateful to the generous community members who contributed to this fund and were instrumental in getting these resources out to address needs to businesses in recovery following the civil unrest,” said Chanda Smith Baker, Senior Vice President of Impact at the Minneapolis Foundation. “Unprecedented acts of generosity are still needed as the pandemic persists and our communities continue to wrestle with significant racial tension.”

Organizations and individuals who would like to receive updates about OneMPLS grants and other funding opportunities at The Minneapolis Foundation can sign up for email notifications here.

• African Development Center of Minnesota. $85,000 to provide loans and grants to Minneapolis businesses owned by African immigrants that were impacted by the pandemic and recent unrest.
• African Economic Development Solutions. $100,000 to support technical assistance and financial assistance for Minneapolis businesses owned by African immigrants that were impacted by COVID-19 and the recent unrest.
• Community Reinvestment Fund, USA. $100,000 to support a citywide effort to deploy patient capital and leverage lending expertise, technology, and services to Minneapolis businesses owned by Black, Indigenous, and people of color.
• Friends of the Global Market. $100,000 to relocate damaged and displaced businesses owned by Black, Indigenous, and people of color to the Midtown Global Market, and to provide direct financial assistance to current business owners for operational needs.
• Hmong American Partnership. $100,000 for technical and financial assistance for Minneapolis businesses owned by immigrants and refugees.
• Lake Street Council. $85,000 to provide technical assistance to businesses owned by Black, Indigenous, and people of color, and to support the council’s capacity to ensure an equitable rebuilding process for the Lake Street corridor.
• Latino Economic Development Center. $100,000 to maintain current levels of technical assistance and train volunteers to assist new and returning South Minneapolis businesses with rebuilding.
• Local Initiatives Support Corporation. $250,000 for a citywide effort by Minneapolis cultural district partners to support Black, Indigenous, and people of color who own property that was damaged during the unrest and faced pressure to sell.
• Metropolitan Consortium of Community Developers. $75,000 to offer more in-depth technical support for small Minneapolis businesses owned by Black, Indigenous, and people to color, and to create an emergency grant program.
• Metropolitan Economic Development Association. $100,000 to support a citywide effort to repair and rebuild Minneapolis businesses owned by Black, Indigenous, and people of color with technical assistance, lending, and matching support.
• New American Development Center. $85,000 to support African-owned businesses in Minneapolis that were impacted by the pandemic and recent unrest.
• Northside Funders Group. $50,000 to coordinate efforts to ensure that North Minneapolis businesses owned by Black, Indigenous, and people of color can access financial assistance, legal advice and develop reopening plans.
• Philanthrofund Foundation. $100,000 to support technical assistance and direct financial assistance for BIPOC/LGBTQ-owned Minneapolis businesses that were impacted by the pandemic and violence following the killing of George Floyd.
• Seward Redesign, Inc. $90,000 to support technical assistance, reconstruction, relocation, acquisition, and financing of Minneapolis businesses owned by Black, Indigenous, and people of color.
• Somali Community Resettlement Services. $72,000 to support a collaborative of seven Somali-owned grocery stores as they repair damage, share resources, and reopen their businesses in the Lake Street area.
• Whittier Alliance. $85,000 to support a collaborative response to provide microgrants to South Minneapolis businesses owned by Black, Indigenous, and people of color.

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