Frey Foundation Kicks Off Campaign To Help End Homelessness Frey Foundation president Jim Frey announced the grant at a press conference with Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty. Photo: Patricia Goodwin The Frey Foundation will commit $5 million over five years to spur the further development of housing and services as the lead gift of a targeted $50 million in philanthropic/nonprofit funds designed to end long-term homelessness in Minnesota. Over the next five years, the Frey Foundation will grant $250,000 each to the Family Housing Fund and the Corporation for Supportive Housing, along with a $1 million gift to the Partners Fund to End Long-Term Homelessness. In addition, the foundation will provide $3.5 million in direct funding to Twin Cities nonprofit supportive housing organizations. To apply for the funding, providers should submit a letter of inquiry by March 1. The deadline for 2006 grant requests is March 31. For detailed grant submission guidelines, visit freyfoundationmn.org. In March 2004, a broadly based working group established by the legislature at the request of Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty completed a goal-oriented, reform-minded business plan to end long-term homelessness by 2010. The plan calls for multi-disciplinary (housing, human services, corrections), multi-sector (government, business, nonprofit) and multi-jurisdictional (federal, state and local) strategies to address long-term homelessness. The plan is being implemented with the leadership of a state Director of Ending Long-Term Homelessness and a broadly representative Advisory Council. The business plan goals for creation of new supportive housing opportunities were exceeded in each of the past two years. Frey Foundation's $5 million gift is the largest private gift to date. "The Frey Foundation sees the Business Plan as a cost-effective means to support families and have a significant return on investment on public and private dollars," said foundation president Jim Frey. "The goal to end long-term homelessness in our state is absolutely critical to the well-being and vitality of our neighborhoods and communities. Supportive affordable housing can help a particularly vulnerable population of Minnesotans move from homelessness to increased independence, long-term stability, employment and self-sufficiency. We look forward to having other foundations and corporations join us in this effort." According to a statewide 2003 study by the Amherst H. Wilder Foundation, there are an estimated 20,000 homeless and precariously housed individuals, youth and families with children in the state of Minnesota on any given night. Over the course of a year, 3,300 persons experience long-term homelessness, including nearly 500 children. "We are very fortunate to have the Frey Foundation's leadership in advancing this key state initiative," said Pawlenty. "We can achieve the business plan's goal of ending long-term homelessness in Minnesota with partnerships such as the commitment announced today by the Frey Foundation." In the media: $5M Pledged For Homeless St. Paul Pioneer Press*, 2/16/06 Homeless Plan Gets A $5 Million Boost Minneapolis Star Tribune*, 2/16/06 > More headlines

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