[#mnrising Dispatch] June 2023

June kicked off Pride month, recognizing that what starts as a riot can sustain into a colorful movement and transform into ongoing advocacy for inclusion. In the midst was Juneteenth, the recognition that not one of us is free until all of us is free and we must celebrate and carry on with Jubilee. The work remains as protections to support those most impacted by injustice are continually eroded and at risk, in order that we may all celebrate freedom across our nation on Independence Day. Wishing us to be the home of the brave!

Collective Abundance Fund

The NDN Collective Abundance Fund will support Indigenous individuals and families residing within the tri-state region of MN, ND, and SD in the rebuilding of Indigenous and generational wealth. Awarded Grantees will receive flexible grants of $25,000 or $50,000 to invest in and support their self-determined wealth-building activities. NDN Collective’s principles and strategies to Defend, Develop & Decolonize inspire all Collective work, therefore wealth-building plans must reflect sustainable, generational, regenerative values. Grant term start dates for selected grantees are scheduled to begin October 1, 2023. [Learn more.]

2023 Wellspring Fund Grant

Apply for a 2023 Wellspring Fund grant June 5, 2023 through July 18, 2023. The Wellspring Fund is dedicated to nourishing organizations that have deep roots and long horizons. Wellspring grants build meaningful capacity for BIPOC-led organizations to do long term power building and organizing for systems change. Grants will provide $90,000 of project-based support per year over four years, for a total of $360,000. These grants support projects that are developing innovative and impactful approaches to building community power and advocating for social change in Minnesota. [Apply online.]

2023-2024 Cohort

Elizabeth Kearney Women’s Leadership (EKWL) is a strengths-based leadership program with a gender and racial justice lens. The program takes a cohort of women through professional and personal leadership development. Participants identify their strengths, build skills, learn about community and civic engagement, network, hear from guest speakers, and leave prepared to address common leadership challenges facing women. The 10-month program begins September 2023 and ends June 2024. Applications are due in the first week of July. A limited number of partial scholarships are available. [Read more.]

Open Road Fund

The Open Road Fund was created to serve Black descendants of the Atlantic Slave Trade, especially formerly incarcerated folks, single parents, senior citizens, those living with disabilities, LGBTQ+, and more. Open Road Fund will award $50,000 grants to at least 800 Black residents in the region through 2031. These resources can be used for several wealth-building projects, including housing, education, financial well-being, healing, and economic justice—and we encourage all applicants to identify the area of focus that best suits their path to building Black wealth. Applications close for the fund on July 28, 2023. [Read more.]