Documenting Philanthropy’s Response to Operation Metro Surge
When U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) launched Operation Metro Surge (OMS) in December 2025, the deployment of 3,000 federal agents deeply impacted communities across Minnesota. Beyond detentions and deportations, OMS caused severe statewide disruptions — including housing instability, major business losses, and widespread interruptions to healthcare and education.
In response, the Minnesota Council on Foundations (MCF) launched a rapid response coordination effort in February 2026. MCF convened philanthropy and coordinated with cross-sector partners across three core focus areas: Basic Needs, Economic Impact, and Strategic Response.
Key Highlights from the Report:
Mobilized $70.5M+: Over a five-month period (December 2025 – April 2026), Minnesota's philanthropic sector mobilized more than $70.5 million in response and recovery resources.
Pooled Fund Impact: MCF tracked 33 distinct pooled funds totaling over $58.9 million, successfully distributing 87.3% ($51.4 million) by the time of the report to support rental assistance, legal aid, mental health services, small business grants, and more.
The Power of Infrastructure: The speed and scale of this response was built on years of intentional, long-term investments in organizing infrastructure, community relationships, and cross-sector coordination.
Shifting to Long-Term Recovery: As immediate pooled funds exhaust their resources, the sector is actively shifting from crisis relief to long-term recovery — including accelerated learning plans for students, economic mobility programs, and state-backed housing gap funding.
About the Report: This Rapid Response Report serves as a testimony to how Minnesota’s philanthropic ecosystem organized during a critical moment in state history. It offers vital lessons, structural insights, and strategic considerations for peer institutions, philanthropy-serving organizations, and other states navigating future moments of crisis and recovery.
Guide to Fiscal Sponsorship
As fiscal sponsorship continues to become a more widely used tool for charitable impact, it is important that 501(c)(3) organizations acting as a fiscal sponsor are doing it right.
Immigrant Rapid Response Fund: Briefing Series
Between Christmas 2025 and February 2026, Operation Metro Surge brought roughly 2,000 federal immigration agents to the Twin Cities. More than 4,000 people were arrested. Two Minnesotans were killed.
Giving Campaigns: Corporate Benchmarking
View benchmarking results about employee giving campaigns from MCF corporate members.