Philanthropy Taking Action After the Murder of George Floyd

Standing Together, We Are MCF

The Minnesota Council on Foundations is committed to advancing diversity, equity and inclusion in our own work, and within the field of philanthropy. This work is guided by belief in a just, anti-racist society, free from the systemic and pervasive harm caused by racism.

We’re grieving with the community over the senseless and unnecessary murder of George Floyd, as well as other unarmed Black and Brown people, and know how far we have to go to realize that vision. We honor George Floyd’s life and memory, and stand with those fighting for a world where Black lives are treated with the respect and dignity they deserve.

The community has come together to put their values in action. Read statements from MCF and our members.

Emerging Initiatives from MCF Members

Crowd-sourced List of Funder-led Initiatives
MCF is developing a crowd-sourced list of initiatives, focused on Minnesota’s communities, that are responding to the crises of COVID-19 and the Movement for Black Lives. These cooperative actions are some of the many ways that funders across the state are banding together to build cooperation, focus joint efforts and increase impact. Reach out to Paul Masiarchin to add to the list.

Twin Cities Rebuild for the Future Fund
Greater Twin Cities United Way, The Minneapolis Foundation and the Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation have teamed up to establish the Twin Cities Rebuild for the Future Fund, designed to provide immediate support to micro- and minority-owned small businesses that were destroyed as a result of the unrest in the aftermath of George Floyd’s death. Funding will cover repairs, equipment, technology, building materials, relocation expenses and more. Learn more and give here.

Minnesota Philanthropic Collective Committed to Racial Equity and Justice
The Philanthropic Collective to Combat Anti-Blackness & Realize Racial Justice, a coalition of foundations and philanthropic organizations formed in response to the killing of George Floyd, has issued a statement denouncing anti-blackness and racism in Minnesota, and announced it will raise $25 million for a Black-Led Movement Fund.

The collective has a three-part vision for Minnesota philanthropic institutions:

1. Invest in the MN Holistic Black-Led Movement Fund;
2. Sign on to a bold and courageous joint statement positioning philanthropy’s responsibility in anti-racism work;
3. Join a long-term transformation table to establish and enhance policies, procedures, and practices to address anti-Blackness and work towards racial justice.

Visit the collective's website to learn more about it and ways you can contribute.

Transformation Fund
Headwaters Foundation for Justice created this fund to make grants to grassroots organizations that provide protesters and community members with immediate needs and to groups that demand change and hold law enforcement and elected officials accountable. Learn more and give here.

Fund for Safe Communities
Minneapolis Foundation has created the Safe Communities Fund, designed to address systemic inequities and translate community anger into actions that repair the city - preventing further violence, addressing systemic inequities and reform within the criminal justice system and providing healing to individuals and communities. Learn more and give here.

MCF’s Integrated Capital Recovery Program
MCF’s Integrated Capital Recovery Program encourages foundations to provide loans, PRIs and other types of patient capital to CDFIs to get resources flowing to small businesses and nonprofits. The program gives a priority to supporting small businesses and nonprofits led by women, people from Black, Indigenous, or People of Color (BIPOC) communities, community members who identify as LGBTQ or disabled, and people from rural communities. Learn more and get involved.

Minnesota Business Coalition for Racial Equity (formerly Twin Cities Corporate & Community Coalition) convenes corporate foundations and corporate giving programs. The Coalition aims to align the work of Diversity and Inclusion, CSR, Government Affairs, and Corporate Philanthropy. Please reach out to Reba Dominski at US Bank Foundation to learn more. Through the initiative, involved corporations will be able to engage in collaborative workgroups to move forward issues around equity in Minnesota’s communities.

Northside Funders Group has partnered with West Broadway Business and Area Coalition to support Northside businesses that have been impacted by COVID-19 and the recent uprising.