Funding
As a funder collaborative, NFG believes that racial equity is about shifting concentrations of power and resources. We strive to be accountable to community and carve out spaces for community voice to be centered in strategy development and grantmaking decisions.
By focusing private, public, and corporate funders on a shared vision of success, we actively work to reduce economic and educational disparities, and lift up the natural assets that exist in North Minneapolis. Working with partners and the community, we strive to act as catalysts for real change – both impactful and sustainable.
Our work sparks ideas, amplifies investments, and inspires neighborhoods.
What We Fund
Economic Development
Economic Development efforts that grow a thriving local economy where Northsiders own and operate successful businesses, hold good paying jobs, have ample housing choices, and experience a higher quality of life. Since 2021, NFG has directed flexible dollars to Black developers, resulting in more than 20 real estate projects that have created new office spaces, housing and retail storefronts.
Northside Youth Enrichment Fund
The Northside Youth Enrichment Fund supports efforts that expand learning by connecting young people to exceptional enrichment opportunities in and outside of the classroom. Since 2023, NFG has awarded grants through a youth-led grantmaking process, working directly with Northside youth to review grant applications, understand what “enrichment” really means to young people, how we know if something has a lasting impact, and what mutual accountability looks like when we make funding decisions collectively.
Event Sponsorships
NFG offers events sponsorships of up to $2,500. Our annual sponsorship budget is $20,000. To submit an event sponsorship request, please email the following details to ecococonsulting@outlook.com:
Name of event
When and where the event takes place
Event budget
Amount raised
Description of the event (who, what why)
How We Work
Changing the way philanthropy works in North Minneapolis is about more than what we do, it’s about how we do it.
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NFG is deeply committed to the idea that community members have critical opinions and perspectives that should shape and direct the collaborative’s work. Whether influencing program design or participating in a grant review committee, NFG has steadily deepened its practices and actions to ensure community voice is embedded in our work.
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NFG strives to make the grant seeking and application process low barrier. Our grant applications are refined every year based on stakeholder feedback and usually use simple platforms such as Outlook or Google Forms or a simple “Word” document submission to our managing consultant.
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NFG works diligently to ensure our resources are flexible and quick to deploy. Generally, it takes about three to four weeks between when a request is made to when the resources are transferred to the grant recipient. We recognize that quick access to resources is critical for community projects.
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To be responsive to emerging opportunities and have the biggest impact, we utilize a strategic screen that includes centering racial equity and justice, with a primary focus on Black/African Americans; leveraging or building capacity in a Northside organization and/or partner(s) for long term sustainability; and investing in projects that have the potential for multi-sector partnerships.