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Minnesota Grantmaker News
and Notes
August 2008
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The Minnesota Timberwolves FastBreak Foundation will accept applications from nonprofit organizations for grants for the upcoming 2008-09 NBA season through Sept. 15, 2008.
Each month during the season, the foundation will focus on a
specific area of giving. The month will feature events, programs and a $10,000 grant to an organization that best fits the theme and fulfills the foundation's mission. In a new addition to the process, winning and runner-up organizations will receive tickets for a Wolves game, a booth to market their organizations, and a public address announcement at the game.
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Blandin Foundation awarded MinnPost.com a three-year grant of $225,000 to increase reporting and commentary on rural issues and communities, and to connect the online news service with more readers in Greater Minnesota. The Knight Foundation awarded $250,000 to help launch MinnPost last year. More information... |
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Thanks to a recent $100,000 grant, the Northland Foundation has
launched an initiative called “AGE to age — bringing generations
together.” This grant award represents the second phase of support
the foundation has received from the Community Experience
Partnership, which was developed by The Atlantic Philanthropies, a
private foundation. Community Experience Partnership aims to expand
opportunities for older adults to engage in work, lifelong learning,
and volunteer activities that better their communities. Northland
was among 30 community-based foundations in the nation to
participate in the first phase of the partnership, which assessed
opportunities and barriers faced by older adults seeking greater
levels of civic engagement. The foundation is one of 24 to
participate in the second phase, planning and implementing programs
to mobilize residents over 55 to help address local needs and
issues.
More information (PDF)... |
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According to a recent report by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of
Minnesota, nearly half of Minnesota’s adults are putting their
health at risk due to lack of physical activity. So as part of an
effort to encourage more physical activity, Blue Cross selected
eight Minnesota communities to receive its Active Living Minnesota
funding. The funding will support a variety of grassroots
initiatives designed to make towns, cities and counties across the
state more “active-living friendly” for walking and biking. While
awards are contingent on successful contract negotiation, most of
the Active Living Minnesota recipients are eligible for annual
funding of up to $75,000. Dakota County and Hennepin County, both at
a more advanced stage, will be eligible to receive up to $125,000
per year. Active Living Minnesota contracts may be renewed for up to
four additional years.
More information... |
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The Society for Healthcare Consumer Advocacy honored the United Health Foundation and Aging with Dignity for the 500,000 Wishes Campaign, a grassroots effort to distribute half a million copies of the Five Wishes living will document in 20 foreign languages. Five Wishes is an advance directive, or living will, which helps people make important decisions that address their medical, personal, emotional and spiritual needs ahead of a health crisis. The foundation also funded the distribution of free copies of the translations for individuals who could not otherwise afford it.
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General Mills, in conjunction with the Washington, D.C., Mayor's
Commission on Food and Nutrition, launched the Healthy
Communities program with $100,000 in grants to four schools and
organizations. The program is being piloted in an
area with one of the highest rates of childhood obesity in the
nation. The grassroots grants program targets schools and nonprofit
organizations that focus on helping children eat healthy and stay
physically fit.
More information... |
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The Epilepsy Foundation honored the Medtronic Foundation for its
ongoing dedication and determination to helping people with chronic
neurological conditions. The Medtronic Foundation has consistently
supported the Epilepsy Foundation's initiatives in reaching out to a
culturally diverse population of people with epilepsy, their
families and their caregivers. For example, Medtronic grants have
helped raise public awareness of epilepsy and also provided vital
care and outreach for African-American, Hispanic, senior and youth
populations. |
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Heading Home Minnesota is taking another step toward ending
long-term homeless with the launch of its website at
www.headinghomeminnesota.org. The website will help
Minnesotans learn more about the statewide initiative’s goals,
accomplishments, resources for getting involved, and connections to
local resources for ending long-term homelessness. An interactive
map provides easy access to individual websites for each of the
seven regional initiatives websites currently addressing ending
homelessness in their local communities. The website also provides
resources for getting a better understanding of the issue, including
firsthand stories, facts about homelessness, and information about
the plan that has been the driving force of much of the initiative’s
work: Minnesota’s Business Plan to End Long-Term Homelessness.
People wishing to get involved can find information about supporting
Heading Home Minnesota with donations, and sign up for its
e-newsletter. |
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