MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. (May 18, 2004)  Most youth-serving nonprofits in Minnesota report that recent declines in funding have forced them to reduce or eliminate programs and services to support the well-being and healthy development of thousands of youth in the state, according to a new report by the Minnesota Council on Foundations, a membership association for philanthropy. The report marks the Council's first comprehensive, qualitative research on youth development funding.

Based on personal interviews with Minnesota's largest private youth development funders and a survey of youth-serving nonprofits in the state, the report shows that only 12 percent of nonprofits say their youth development programs are well-funded from all sources. As a result, more than 90 percent of nonprofits say that recent declines in funding have forced them to cut staff and hours, eliminate programs and/or reduce service levels and quality for their youth development programs, and 25 percent say they have been forced to serve fewer youth.

Minnesota's youth are being impacted in many negative ways by these cuts in youth development funding and programming, according to nonprofits, including more idle time out of school, fewer interactions with positive adult role models and more negative societal behaviors.

The report also identifies the major perceived gaps in Minnesota's youth development support. Youth development funders and nonprofits believe the most serious funding gaps are for after-school programming, general operating support, transportation, prevention and early intervention programs, and family support programs, particularly parenting programs.

"We hope this report will help those who care about Minnesota's youth gain a better understanding of how grantmakers and nonprofits view the current funding environment for youth development in the state," said Council president Bill King. "We plan to use the report's findings to help advance the dialogue on how to best ensure the healthy development of Minnesota's youngest residents."

Financial support for the report was provided in part by the Cargill Foundation, The McKnight Foundation and The Minneapolis Foundation.

The full report, "Supporting Minnesota's Youth: The State of the State's Youth Development Funding," is available on the Council's Web site at www.mcf.org (select "Trends & Analysis"). Free print copies of the report are available (one per organization) from the Council (612/338-1989, info@mcf.org), while supplies last.

Founded in 1969, the Minnesota Council on Foundations' mission is to strengthen and expand philanthropy. The Council is a regional membership association of grantmakers working to improve the vitality and health of our communities. Council members include private foundations, community and other public foundations, and corporate foundations and business giving programs.

CONTACT: David Biemesderfer, vice president of communications and information services, 612/335-3597, dbiemesderfer@mcf.org.

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Link:

• Supporting Minnesota's Youth: The State of the State's Youth Development Funding.

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