When restaurants quietly stepped up for the Twin Cities during Operation Metro Surge, Stephanie March made sure someone stepped up for them. Her Salt Cure Restaurant Recovery Fund – launched with the Minneapolis Foundation – has now put over $1 million back into local restaurants.
When Operation Metro Surge hit Minnesota, this community was being targeted. And in the middle of all of that, I got a call.
The Somali American Bar Association needed help reaching people through something the community would actually watch, share, and trust.
The challenge: Written materials were not moving people. What worked was video. Something you could send on WhatsApp. Something you could forward to your auntie. Something that felt like it came from inside the community.
With support from the Minneapolis Foundation, we produced a bilingual PSA series in English and Somali.
The results: 100,000+ views. Zero paid advertising. All organic reach through community trust. Content shared daughter to parent, neighbor to neighbor.
What this taught me: Communication IS infrastructure. When you remove the language barrier, when you meet people in the format they already trust, when you let the community tell its own story, the reach multiplies on its own.
Grateful to the Minneapolis Foundation for believing this kind of work was worth investing in.
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Directed by: Abdi Mohamed
DP: @spiltcocoa
Creative Producer/Editor: @somalicuriosity
Grip/Editor: @moscenery
Nomadic Arc Media
Commissioned by: @somalibarassoc
Supported by: @mplsfoundation
#Minnesota #CommunityStories
Thanks to everyone who joined us for our first-ever Fundholder Exchange! We loved the energy and ideas you brought to this gathering.
From the arts to education to civic engagement and housing, our fundholders support a wide range of causes. We created this space for people with shared interests to connect, share ideas, and explore ways to collaborate.
We can’t wait to see how you grow your impact together!
We’re so grateful for the generosity of our fundholders. Month after month, they put their Donor Advised Funds to work—lifting up communities in Minnesota and far beyond.
In April alone, their grants reached hundreds of organizations—from local changemakers like @bethatneighbor to global leaders like @oramrefugee . And through nonprofits like @remoteareamedical , @readingcentermn , and @goalsonrivers , their support is advancing health, education, youth leadership, and much more.
Your giving can spark this kind of impact, too. Learn more at GiveAdvised.org.
A meaningful morning at our All College Meeting.
We heard a powerful video message from Minneapolis Foundation CEO R.T. Rybak and an inspiring message from Minnesota State Interim Vice President for Equity and Inclusion Dr. Eda Watts—both centered on community, purpose, and the real impact of what we do.
Moments like this ground us in who we are and why we do this work.
#MplsCollege #HigherEd #PurposeDrivenWork
Thanks to everyone who joined us for the kickoff of the 2026 RMD Giving Circle! It was great to connect and begin this shared journey toward meaningful impact in Minnesota communities.
We’re excited that the group selected Justice, Equity & Civic Engagement as this year’s focus—an area ripe for thoughtful, collective action.
We look forward to meeting again on May 18 as the group continues to learn, reflect, and give together.
There’s still time to join us! If you or someone you know (age 70+) is interested in turning an IRA required minimum distribution into a force for good, we’d love to welcome you. Reach out to Julia at [email protected] to learn more.
Happy Earth Day!
From investing in renewable energy to empowering the next generation of climate leaders, our fundholders use their Donor Advised Funds to support work to fight pollution, conserve resources, and advance sustainability.
Here are a few snapshots of their giving, featuring Wolf Ridge Environmental Learning Center, Minneapolis Climate Action, Eagle Bluff Environmental Learning Center, the Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy, and the Environmental Defense Fund.
Are you ready to turn your charitable intentions into impact? We can help.
Learn more: GiveAdvised.org
Meet Fourth Generation’s 2026 grant partners! All are doing important work to expand access to nourishing food and build a more just, sustainable food system.
- Division of Indian Work
- Community Emergency Service
- TC Food Justice
- Route 1
See their impact up close at Graze 4 Good:
May 13 | 6–9 p.m.
Brother Justus Whiskey Company
Celebrate their work, connect with community, and learn how collective giving groups like Fourth Generation are driving real change.
Click the link in our bio to register.
When Operation Metro Surge brought fear and silence to the Cedar-Riverside neighborhood of Minneapolis, Pillsbury United Communities stepped up—delivering food to families at home and expanding critical services at the Brian Coyle Center.
Supported by a OneMPLS grant, their response reflects more than a century of showing up in moments of need.
We are truly grateful to have partners like PUC. Click the link in our bio for closer look at their work.
We just opened our latest grant round!
Our Economic Mobility grants support local organizations that advance equity and justice in the systems that shape economic opportunity.
This year's grant guidelines reflect important updates designed to meet evolving community needs—particularly challenges stemming from Operation Metro Surge.
Our 2026 grants will focus on nonprofits that provide small business support and play a vital role in strengthening entrepreneurship and the local economy. To deepen our impact, we will concentrate investments in a smaller cohort of grantees, offer larger awards, and extend the grant period to two years.
All applications must be submitted by 1 p.m. on May 15, 2026.
Click the link in our bio to learn more and apply today.
Spread the word! We are in search of a Controller to join our team of community builders.
The Controller is a key position on our Finance team, ensuring that we follow Generally Accepted Accounting Principals (GAAP), provide accurate and transparent reporting, and maintain and safeguard the assets of the Minneapolis Foundation. This position supports the CFO in all financial matters and oversight of the Finance team’s daily work. Additionally, the person in this role will manage our annual audit and tax return process.
Are you—or do you know—this person? Learn more and apply today: mplsfoundation.org/careers
RECEIPTS. It's a little zany to admit, but in the shortish span of 45 days, we have awarded $1,054,500 to 199 local foodist small businesses, with $726,500 of that already delivered to bank accounts! That we were able to spread that out over 31 towns in our seven county metro area is, well, 🌞.
That's you guys, supporting your home, taking care of your people 💙
And here's the other good news: we've partnered with @osbenefits to add a very vital layer of support with free mental health benefits for ALL MN RESTAURANTS. Even if y'all didn't apply to Salt Cure, we know what you're carrying.
We see you. 🩵
For more info, head over to thesaltcure.substack.com and peep the More Resources page, or send a lil' DM or note to [email protected] and we'll get you rolling.
We'll be over here raising a crisp cold Salt Cure beer from @modistbrewing in your honor. THANK YOU ALL LETS KEEP GOING K? 🍺🧂💛
PS: none of this would have been possible without the team at @mplsfoundation ♥️♥️
