Micro Grants to Address Community Trauma and Promote Wellness
Quick-turn funding from the Minneapolis Foundation’s Fund for Safe Communities will support local organizations that are hosting gatherings and activities for Minneapolis youth and adults.
The Minneapolis Foundation today announced a new funding opportunity for local organizations that are working to address community trauma and promote wellness as Minneapolis approaches the anniversary of George Floyd’s death and the trial of a former Minneapolis police officer charged in his killing.
Starting March 15, the Foundation will begin accepting applications for micro grants of $2,500 to $5,000 from its Fund for Safe Communities. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis this spring, with decisions communicated to applicants within roughly two weeks.
“The horrific events of last year are still very much with us, and we know that our community is hurting. During this difficult time, we want to help ensure that people have places to gather safely and resources available to promote connection and healing.”
The Foundation will award a total of up to $250,000 to 501(c)(3) nonprofits, schools and religious organizations that support youth, adults and families in Minneapolis neighborhoods. Proposals serving areas of Minneapolis that were directly affected by last summer’s social unrest will be prioritized.
Examples of funded activities may include, but are not limited to:
- Healing spaces that provide a safe place for community members to cope as the trial unfolds.
- Activities that promote wellness and help manage stress and trauma.
- Art, poetry, writing and other creative actions that provide opportunities to process, reflect and consider our path forward as a community.
Organizations that apply for funding are also encouraged to consider what they need to host gatherings that support social distancing and safety as the community continues to grapple with the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Minneapolis Foundation established the Fund for Safe Communities in 2018 to support tangible, specific, and meaningful actions to address and prevent violence. The micro grants announced today follow more than $500,000 in grants that the Foundation distributed from the Fund last year to support violence prevention, criminal justice reform, and individual and community healing in the aftermath of George Floyd’s killing.
Businesses and members of the public are encouraged to contribute in any amount to the Fund for Safe Communities.
Visit our Fund for Safe Communities page to learn more about this funding opportunity, apply for a micro grant, or make a tax-deductible online donation.
