As part of its continuing commitment to economic empowerment and education equity in North Minneapolis, The Jay and Rose Phillips Family Foundation of Minnesota approved grants of $321,000 this week and will grant another $422,000 in July.
Two of the largest grants just awarded will continue operating support of the City of Lakes Community Land Trust and create a revolving commercial loan fund at Northside Economic Opportunity Network (NEON), which Phillips seeded last month with $1 million. Pillsbury United Communities also received continued funding to support North News.
Other grants include ongoing support for two long-running programs supported by the Foundation: the Phillips Scholars Program through the Minnesota Private College Council and the Jay Phillips Center for Interfaith Learning at Saint John’s University and Saint Thomas University.
Along with these investments, Phillips will be providing $422,000 in July to support the fourth year of ambitious partnerships with Olson Middle School and Patrick Henry High School, which are showing strong positive impacts on grades, graduation rates, student retention and staff retention.
Phillips will continue to center its education efforts on Minneapolis Public Schools in North Minneapolis and Joel Luedtke, who has led Phillips’ education portfolio, will continue that work as part of the Foundation’s strategic operating partnership with the Minneapolis Foundation.
“Now, more than ever, it is important for our Foundation to stay focused on building equitable communities, especially in north Minneapolis,” said Phillips board member Hutton Phillips. “These grants are one more demonstration of our commitment, which will continue in our new partnership with the Minneapolis Foundation.”
–
Special thanks to Northside Economic Opportunity Network (NEON) for providing photos.
