Updates to Rapid Response Coordination

To strengthen Minnesota’s philanthropic ecosystem during this critical time of federal immigration and enforcement activities and subsequent recovery efforts across the state, MCF has launched the Rapid Response network and peer connection for MCF members. The Rapid Response network tracks changing community needs and resource strains, and increases shared visibility and structured information sharing across sectors.

Focus Areas

Coordination efforts, which include weekly meetings and email listservs, are structured around the following three key areas. 

• Basic Needs – Immediate and essential support for individuals and families, including housing and rental assistance, food access, health and mental health services, individual legal services, and support for schools and childcare systems serving parents and families. 
• Economic Impact – Impacts on commercial corridors and small businesses, including operational disruptions, revenue loss, and broader economic and workforce stability concerns. 
• Strategic Response – Strategic philanthropic efforts focused on building and strengthening the infrastructure needed to support overall rapid response and recovery efforts, including through pooled funds, legal strategies, narrative change, and supporting community organizing. 

The Rapid Response network is continues to track 32 active pooled funds across these key impact areas. Total funding has grown to just over $29 million, with approximately 65% of funds disbursed. Basic Needs funds continue to deploy the fastest, reflecting the urgency and immediacy of humanitarian needs across the state, while approximately 10% of funds have now paused or closed as funding has been depleted. 

The majority of funds are statewide, with others focused on the Twin Cities and specific communities. Funding sources span institutional philanthropy, corporate partners, donor-advised funds, small businesses, and individual donors — reflecting broad-based support and a shared commitment to moving capital quickly to those most impacted. 

Updates

Breakdown of Pooled Funds

• 61% of pooled funds support Basic Needs (exclusively or in some aspects)
• 30% of pooled funds focus exclusively on Economic Impact; 9% on Strategic Response
• Across all funds, 30% of funds are paused or closed due to funds being exhausted and/or are above 80% of disbursement

MCF is also tracking where philanthropic dollars are going. Based on available data across 303 individual grants: 

• 68% of funded organizations/initiatives located in/focused on the Twin Cities  
• 32% of funded organizations/initiatives located in Greater Minnesota or provide statewide services  
• 227 unique organizations/initiatives funded 
• $82,225 is the average grant size
• $50,000 is the most common grant size

As MCF members continue to respond to immediate needs, there is also growing attention to what longer-term stabilization and recovery may require. We’re seeing:

• Rising Disbursements: Economic Impact funds are closing their first rounds and will soon begin distributing funds, while the Immigrant Rapid Response Fund continues to provide weekly grants. 
• Funding Shifts: Some funds are experiencing a slowdown in donor activity, while others are gaining new local and national commitments.
• Future Meetings: Discussion topics will include legal tactics and strategies, partnerships with local government, and documenting Minnesota’s community resilience to guide other regions.

As interest in cross-sector collaboration grows, we continue to track disbursement shifts to support the move from immediate relief to long-term recovery.

Join the Rapid Response Network

MCF members can join any or all focus area coordination efforts. Weekly meetings and corresponding email listserv(s) are available by topic — Basic Needs, Economic Impact, and Strategic Response — and are led by Tiffany Xiong ([email protected]), MCF’s Rapid Response Coordinator. To subscribe to a listserv, please email Cary Walski, Member Engagement Manager, at [email protected].

Let us know what your foundation is doing. Complete the MCF Rapid Response form to help track rapid response and recovery updates. 

Pooled Fund Opportunities to Support Rapid Response Efforts

• Artist Emergency Relief Fund - Springboard for the Arts
• Community Response Fund - Eagan Community Foundation
• Economic Response Fund - Minneapolis Foundation
• Emergency Response Fund - PFund
• Immigrant Rapid Response Fund - Women's Foundation
• Latino & Immigrant Business Emergency Relief Fund  - Latino Economic Development Center (LEDC) & East Side Funders Group 
• Minnesota Immigrant Community Rapid Response and Long-Term Recovery Initiative - Wilson Foundation
• MN Arts Rise and Respond Fund - Springboard for the Arts & Jerome Foundation 
• OneMPLS Fund - Minneapolis Foundation
• Open for Tomorrow Fund - Main Street Alliance
• Rapid Response Fund - Constellation Fund
• Rapid Response Fund - Headwaters Foundation
• Rapid Response Fund - Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation
• Rapid Response Fund - Tiwahe Foundation
• Small Business Stabilization Grant (SBSG) - Hmong American Partnership
• Twin Cities Rapid Response Fund - Asian American and Pacific Islanders in Philanthropy (AAPIP)

Note: Application processes vary by fund (e.g., open application or invite-only). Some funds are place-based or community-specific. Please review each fund’s details for eligibility and application information.

About the Rapid Response Network

MCF’s Rapid Response network brings together members who want to quickly share information, coordinate, and mobilize collective action in response to unexpected situations impacting Minnesota’s philanthropic community.