The Jay and Rose Phillips Family Foundation of Minnesota has awarded more than $800,000 in grants to 19 nonprofits and schools that support young people as they shape their futures in high school and beyond.
These grants mark the Foundation’s first major public investments in its new grantmaking strategy, which focuses on helping North Minneapolis youth make successful transitions to college and careers. They are the result of a community-led proposal review process involving Northside youth, parents, and educators. The Foundation is grateful for their efforts and proud to implement their recommendations.
The funding supports local organizations that serve young people ages 14 to 24 through mentoring and coaching, career-relevant learning, and youth-led activism and leadership development. Together, these investments reflect the Foundation’s commitment to expanding opportunity, advancing equity, and championing community-led work that builds on the strengths and aspirations of North Minneapolis.
“These grants reflect what we’ve heard directly from young people and community partners—that relationships, real-world experience, and opportunities to lead are critical to success after high school,” said Joel Luedtke, a Program Director who guides the Foundation’s grantmaking. “We are proud to partner with organizations that are deeply rooted in North Minneapolis and are walking alongside youth as they define and pursue their own futures.”
One grant will allow All City Music to deepen access to culturally responsive music and dance education for youth in North Minneapolis. “Through the marching arts, we’re helping young people build their identity, vision, and access to their future,” said Shonte Carter, the organization’s founder and Executive Director.
Funding for Juxtaposition Arts will support the organization’s role as a launchpad for young creatives in North Minneapolis and beyond. “This partnership deepens our ability to offer hands-on training, professional experience, and paid apprenticeships that open pathways forward and equip young people to transform the built environment through their own creativity and skill,” said Nesra Cummings, the organization’s Development Director.
Cookie Cart will also receive support to fuel brighter futures for local teens by expanding access to meaningful first jobs, leadership development, and real-world skills. “This support strengthens our community and energizes our mission—creating lasting momentum for young people who are building their futures one shift, one skill, and one opportunity at a time,” said Jacquelyn Carpenter, Executive Director of Cookie Cart.
Most of the grants announced today provide support over two years. Here’s the complete list:
- 100 Black Men of the Twin Cities: $60,000 for the Junior 100 Mentoring Academy.
- All City Music: $30,000 for HBCU show-style marching band music instruction.
- Appetite for Change: $25,000 for the organization’s Youth Training and Opportunity Program.
- Asian Media Access: $60,000 for e-Magine Trainings.
- Avenues for Youth: $50,000 for the organization’s Career and Education Department.
- Cookie Cart: $25,000 in general operating support.
- EdAllies: $25,000 for the Northside Youth Rising program.
- Emerge Community Development: $50,000 for Northside youth career services.
- Good Trouble: $50,000 in general operating support.
- Juxtaposition Arts: $60,000 in general operating support.
- Legal Rights Center: $50,000 for the organization’s Legal Empowerment Pathway.
- The Link: $20,000 for a youth engagement program.
- Minneapolis Climate Action: $56,000 to support exploration of green career opportunities.
- North Community High School: $15,000 for the school’s Future Ready Initiative.
- Northside Boxing Club: $50,000 in general operating support.
- Phyllis Wheatley Community Center: $40,000 for youth programs.
- Pillsbury United Communities: $60,000 for youth programs.
- V3 Sports: $25,000 for The Discovery Project.
- YMCA of the North: $60,000 for the organization’s North Community Achievers program.
