More Than $430,000 Awarded to Assist Minneapolis Residents Affected by Tornado

Source: The Minneapolis Foundation 06/24/2011

Grants given to date (June 23, 2011): $636,752

The following grants are the first to be awarded through an ongoing process by which nonprofits and public agencies providing services to North Minneapolis residents affected by the tornado are invited to request financial support from the Fund.

Additional requests will be reviewed and grants awarded on a rolling basis.

Grants announced on June 22, 2011: $430,629

See the June 23rd press release on The Minneapolis Foundation's website announcing these grants.

BASIC NEEDS - $66,042

• EMERGE Community Development - $19,834
  For costs associated with the Rapid Response Center and emergency support and to support ongoing tornado relief services throughout the summer. EMERGE’s Rapid Response Call Center received over 600 calls in four days – providing phone referrals and responding directly to assessment team requests to deliver emergency supplies/services including shelter assistance, meals, and transportation to 219 different households in the path of the tornado.
• Second Harvest Heartland - $31,701
  To work with North Minneapolis partner agencies to provide food and basic needs to those impacted by the tornado. Second Harvest Heartland will continue to partner with both the Salvation Army and NorthPoint Health and Wellness Center, Inc. by continuing food distributions to tornado affected neighborhoods.
• Project for Pride in Living (PPL) - $5,000
  For emergency tornado relief efforts in the days following the storm in North Minneapolis. PPL provided services to residents in their Camden neighborhood affordable housing site. PPL provided emergency supplies, certificates for food, transportation, and urgent needs while also connecting them to other resources available.
• World Vision- $9,507
  For tornado emergency relief efforts in the days following the storm in North Minneapolis. World Vision Twin Cities' staff have distributed over 29 pallets of essential basic needs product such as personal care and hygiene packs, coolers, blankets, cleaning supplies, new clothes, and toys to 1,975 children and 542 adults in the tornado impacted areas in North Minneapolis.

EMPLOYMENT - $59,152

• Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board - $35,000
  A youth summer employment program in the North Minneapolis’s tornado disaster zone that will allow youth to participate in a 9-week summer program where they can earn a wage, improve their reading and math ability, and gain life skills.
• Tree Trust - $24,152
  Youth job training program that will help repair and rehab homes and rental units damaged by the tornado. This experience will not only allow youth to earn a wage, but will also allow them to rebuild North Minneapolis and have a direct impact in their neighborhood.

HOUSING - $100,000

• Heading Home Hennepin - $100,000
  To establish a short-term rental subsidy program to assist families impacted by the tornado. Funds will provide short-term rental assistance for those affected by the tornado.

SMALL BUSINESS - $35,000

• Northside Economic Opportunity Network (NEON) - $35,000
  To assist small businesses impacted by the tornado. The grant will support at least 150 businesses with the following services: technical assistance, pro bono legal assistance, assessment and repairs to property damage.

YOUTH AND CHILDREN - $170,435

• Boys and Girls Clubs of the Twin Cities - $30,435
  Extend youth development programs serving youth and families affected by the tornado. The award will provide extended Club hours of operation to support 125-130 youth affected by the tornado, field trips, and meals to families affected by the tornado.
• Kwanzaa Community Church - $35,000
  To support the Trauma/Crisis Support program and increase the number of children, youth and families affected by the tornado served through its Summer Freedom School program.
• Minneapolis Beacons Network - $35,000
  Expansion of their Youth Enrichment Project services in neighborhoods in North Minneapolis affected by the tornado. Through partnerships with Minneapolis Public Schools Summer School, Beacons will offer programming to 200 youth and their families this summer by extending youth programming into August, targeting the neighborhoods hardest hit by the tornado.
• North Community YMCA - $35,000
  Expansion of summer program services and camp scholarships for youth impacted by the tornado. Support from The grant will provide a safe space for 125 youth that includes activities, breakfast, snacks, lunch and outdoor programming opportunities to give them a community based outlet.
• Plymouth Christian Youth Center - $35,000
  PCYC will support families by providing basic supplies and transportation service throughout the summer as families recover from the aftermath of this crisis. PCYC will also provide safe spaces and programs for children and youth over the summer through the Summer Friends program.

Grants Awarded in Early June: $206,123

• EMERGE Community Development - $30,881
  StreetWerks Youth Program, to assist local residents affected by the tornado in North Minneapolis in removing debris and beautification efforts.
• Minneapolis Department of Health and Family Support - $115,242
  The Disaster Recovery Center in North Minneapolis, which provided 2,200 households with emergency supplies.
• Urban Homeworks - $50,000
  The Northside Community Response Team, to make repairs to 30-50 homes and protect uninsured homeowners from further property damage.
• Urban Homeworks- $10,000
  Increase participation of Northside minority contractors in tornado response efforts and assist in their certification and quality control.