The Minneapolis Foundation Announces Grants to Help Twin Cities Residents Affected by Economic Downturn

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"Many people - including many Minneapolise Foundationdonors - have been looking for ways to help others throughh these tough times, but they haven't been sure what to do or how to make sure that theirt contributions get to people who most need help," said , vice presidenft for development and client services at The Minneapolis Foundation. "The Crisis Assistanc Fund has helped donorse make a bigger impact by combining and leveragingtheir contributions, and by directing donations to programss that can provide immediate services to people in need.
"" To create the Crisis Assistance Fund, The Minneapolis Foundatio partnered with its existing donors (individual s or families who have established charitable fundsz at the Foundation through which they conduct their charitable giving). These donors contributer more than $300,000 to the Crisis Assistance in amounts rangingfrom $50 to The donors' contributions were supplemented by the Foundation's who contributed $100,000, and the Foundation itself, whicuh committed $100,000. Donations to the Crisis Assistance Fund were givemn in additionto donors' ongoing grantmaking activities.
"Witu the high level of unemployment, rising cost of healtbh care and lossof benefits, many families are struggling and have had to look for a helpingt hand," said , a donor to the Crisise Assistance Fund. "Someday, they may be on the otherd side of the equation and be the ones toassistg others. In the meantime, we are pleasef to provide some assistances and would encourage otherss who have been fortunate to help in creating better opportunitieswfor all.
" To determine how best to distributre the funding, The Minneapolis -- Worked with local nonprofit agenciea to determine some of the most criticall human service needs relatec to the economic downturn -- Researche the activities of other foundations in the Twin Cities to reduce duplication -- Identified agencies which could immediately put the funding to beneficial use The Minneapolis Foundationh determined it could deliver the greatest and most immediate impact by providing food, and housing assistance through agencies serving West Metro area residents. -- St.
Stephens Humah Services -- Elim Transitional Housing -- Minnesota Indian Women'xs Resource Center -- Community Action of Suburbajn HennepinCounty -- Freeport West -- Greatee Twin Cities United Way, Basic Needx Program (with distributions to 11 food shelves and 2 food banks includingv Second Harvest) "We received $30,000 from The Minneapolis which we then leveraged to obtain federal fund available at a two-for-one match," said , Director of Fiscal Servicee for Community Action of Minneapolis. "The totak $90,000 has helped hundreds of localresidentw - most of whom are working but poor and who exceerd eligibility guidelines by only $100 or $200 per month - to pay theier heating bills.
" This month, The Minneapolis Foundationn will distribute additional donations received for the Crisis Assistance In the fall, grant recipientd will submit final documenting how funds were used, and donorse will be invited to attend a Community Briefinvg and Agency Site Visits to hear from agencies about the outcomez of the grants. "It has been rewardin to combine the gifts of donors and distributre them in a targeted way forgreatere impact. Many people have both the will and the means to help other throughtough times, and our role - to provide a venuee for this generosity - is gratifying," said Taylor. Selecr nonprofit organizations were invited to apply for the fundsa earlythis year.
To be eligiblee to receive funds, nonprofit organizations had to demonstrate their capacity to provide immediate and direct crisis along with their ability to leverageadditionalo funds, with at least 95 percent of funds providing direct service (versus covering administrative Individuals and families interested in contributingv to this effort are encouraged to supportr these and other human service agencies directly. Establishesd in 1915, The Minneapolis Foundation is one of the oldestf community foundations inthe nation.
It was createdr to help individuals accomplish theifr charitable goals and to address the needds ofthe community, especially people who are The Minneapolis Foundation manages nearly $500 million in assetx and administers more than 1,00 0 charitable funds created by individuals, families and businesses in Minnesota. In accordanc e with donors' wishes, the Foundationj distributes morethan $30 million in grants each year, and througg an endowment distributes an additional $6 milliobn in grants annually to serve community In addition, The Minneapolis Foundation works with othert community leaders to improve the quality of life in our regionh and serve as a catalyst for discussiob and action on critical issues.