By Emma Olson, PSEI VISTA Leader In thinking about why I joined AmeriCorps VISTA, and why I specifically picked the PSEI VISTA program, I catch myself reflecting more about why,…

BY Annie Krapek, Program Coordinator at Nonprofits Assistance Fund In 2014, the Foundation began working with staff at the Nonprofits Assistance Fund on the development of a program that would…

By Joel Luedtke and Patrick Troska We’re a little fish in a big pond. We get that. Our annual grantmaking budget is less than some large foundations award in a…

By Salena Acox The start of a new term of service is always bittersweet. Saying goodbye to a wonderful group of  talented young people who have made significant impacts to…

By Patrick Troska and Joel Luedtke Nearly five years ago, The Jay & Rose Phillips Family Foundation of Minnesota established its current set of funding priorities. These priorities were based…

BY DANE SMITH AND MAUREEN RAMIREZ OF GROWTH AND JUSTICE Most news media reviews of the 2015 legislative session have focused on general disappointment in the process and unrealized expectations,…

BY PATRICK TROSKA, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Twenty-one years ago, representatives of the Foundation and the Minnesota Private College Council (MPPC) got together to explore ways the Foundation’s previous 30+ years of…

Dear Colleagues and Stakeholders, After 15 years with the Foundation, four and a half as Executive Director, Patrick Troska will embark on a 12-week sabbatical beginning June 25, 2015. He…

The following blog, re-posted with permission, was originally posted on the Voices for Racial Justice website. The Foundation has supported the work of Voices of Racial Justice (formerly Organizing Apprenticeship…

By Tyler Hubler Workforce Access and Diversity Specialist, Summit Academy OIC As you weigh the option of embarking upon a year of service as an AmeriCorps VISTA member it is…