Making Memories on the Mississippi

Pohlad Family Foundation teams with Wilderness Inquiry   (11/20/2009)

For many of us, who work or live near Minneapolis, the Mississippi River is too often overlooked. Rarely do we take time to experience the river’s natural wonders, even if it is in our own backyard. For a group of 15 Hmong girls, however, a canoe trip down the mighty Mississippi seemed to be the perfect adventure.

In August, staff from the Pohlad Family Foundation first caught wind of the girls’ wish to venture down the river when they attended a Cottage Park community event. The trip, at this point, seemed nearly impossible since all prior arrangements had fallen through. With help from the staff at Wilderness Inquiry, the Foundation was able to secure plans for day trip in two weeks time.

For most of the girls, this journey was the first time they’d ever been in a boat. The girls were part of a Thai refugee group that traveled to the United States from the Wat Tham Krabok camp four years ago. Their families had once fought with the US in the Vietnam War and were forced to leave Laos with the victory of communist North Vietnam. The girls, whose families subsequently relocated to the Jordan Park neighborhood in North Minneapolis, were not openly welcomed to the community- many were bullied at school, on the playground and at bus stops. In an effort to bridge the discord, several community initiatives were founded for Hmong students including the girls’ volleyball team. The team now meets on a regular basis for planned group outings, tutor sessions,and to build a support network.

The girls’ canoe trip began, complete with a few nervous smiles, near the University of Minnesota and traveled through bluffs and by barges to Hidden Falls in St. Paul. A mid-afternoon lunch break was the perfect setting to eagerly share papaya salad and detail their favorite sightings, mainly the fish, eagles, and other wildlife encounters.

“The girls want to experience the world around them and living in the urban core limits outdoor opportunities,” Terry Egge, who was along for the ride, explained. “Learning how to navigate the river in a canoe is just one way to experience nature and at the same time achieve greater independence. ”

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Pohlad Family Foundation Supports Another North Minneapolis Transformation  
(7/20/2009)

On July 10, the Pohlad Family Foundation joined forces with the Jordan Area Community Council and the Minnesota-based non-profit Tree Trust , to revitalize yet another once problematic pocket in North Minneapolis.

The crew of neighborhood volunteers spent the afternoon installing 200 plants on the northeast corner of 26th Avenue North and Knox Avenue North. Local residents may recognize this area as the 2002 scene of several riots. Fortunately, with the seven year anniversary fast approaching, this block will look very different. Watch Fox 9 News Clip

The Pohlad Family Foundation has in a sense “adopted” the nearby Cottage Park neighborhood- an area financially neglected for years. Their support of the Jordan Area Community Garden is one more way they are helping to improve North Minneapolis.

Other area initiatives financed by the Pohlad Family Foundation include the renovation of The Church of Gethsemane, the demolition of 1200 W. Broadway and an upcoming employee volunteer project.

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Jordan Community Garden Re-dedication 8/22/09

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April 15, 2009 Press Release

Pohlad Family Foundation pledges up to $20 million to support small business, improve neighborhoods and retain important nonprofit services

MINNEAPOLIS – (April 15, 2009) – To help those affected by the economic downturn, the Pohlad Family Foundation has pledged $20 million to help small businesses retain jobs and plan for future growth, improve neighborhoods hardest hit by the housing crisis, and ensure critical nonprofit services for families.

“Job loss, housing loss and lack of credit are the problems impeding the economic recovery,” said Jim Pohlad, Pohlad Family Foundation Director. “Our support targets all three.”

Specific nonprofit partners will administer most of the programs and determine which groups receive funds. Under the program, select small businesses can apply for funds to retain needed jobs or secure low interest loans to meet immediate capital needs or fund growth plans and services. Housing agencies will use funds to provide housing to families, purchase and rehab housing, and increase homeownership. Select nonprofit agencies can also apply for funds for needed services.

“As a family, we want to do our part to help people hurting during this economic crisis,” said Robert Pohlad, Pohlad Family Foundation Director. “Quality services provided by nonprofits are needed to help families recover and plan for their future.”

The Foundation is working with the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce Foundation/Grow Minnesota!, several housing agencies, and MAP for Nonprofits to ensure:

• Job retention in small businesses planning to grow and/or in need of working capital;
• Increased stability in two Twin Cities neighborhoods (Minneapolis zip code 55411 and St. Paul zip code 55106) devastated by the foreclosure crisis; and
• Services that meet families’ short-term needs and help them prepare for the future.

Job funds and working capital support for small businesses

Small businesses will have access to grants to retain valued employees while planning and adjusting for their futures. Access to short-term, low-interest working capital and capital improvement loans also will be available to help continue business operations and finance improvements consistent with a company’s future growth plans. It will be administered by the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce Foundation and Grow Minnesota!, the Chamber’s business retention and economic development initiative. The POHLAD Foundation OR THE CHAMBER and Grow Minnesota! will distribute $5 million – 60 percent for job retention/future growth planning, and 40 percent for loans.

Eligible small businesses must be privately held, have fewer than 50 employees, generate annual sales of $10 million or less, and participate in Grow Minnesota!

Grow Minnesota! operates in partnership with 43 local chambers of commerce and reaches businesses in more than 50 Minnesota communities. A committee of small business owners will assist the Chamber in approving grants and loans.

Housing support to improve neighborhoods

Nonprofit housing organizations will receive support to provide long-term, service-enriched housing to homeless families; purchase and rehab homes around the state; and increase homeownership in the two Twin Cities areas with the highest rate of foreclosures in the state: Minneapolis (55411) and St. Paul (55106).

Partners with the Pohlad Family Foundation in its housing effort are:

• Neighborhood Housing Services of Minneapolis and Dayton’s Bluff Housing Services, which will receive $2 million to increase homeownership in two neighborhoods with the greatest number of foreclosed properties;
• Minnesota Housing Finance Agency, which will distribute $2.4 million to agencies providing long-term, service-enriched, transitional housing to families;
• Family Housing Fund, whose Home Prosperity Fund will receive a $1 million PRI* to help nonprofit housing groups purchase and rehab foreclosed homes.

Funds for nonprofit organizations

The Pohlad Family Foundation is providing $5 million to help Twin Cities’ nonprofit agencies struggling to meet demands for services retain, or temporarily add, employees providing direct services to families in need. Administered by MAP for Nonprofits, at least 80 percent of grant funds will be used to retain jobs and up to 20 percent will create temporary jobs. A committee of nonprofit experts will assist MAP in making the awards during April and May. Seventy-one (71) nonprofit agencies have been invited to apply.

Matching funds for additional needs

Because the need is anticipated to exceed available funds, the Pohlad Family Foundation is also making up to $1 million available to match contributions to funds set up for these purposes at the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce Foundation and MAP for Nonprofits. Contributions from all types of givers are welcome.

“In his inaugural address, President Obama reminded us that it is the ‘risk-takers, the doers, the makers of things’ who have always helped move our country forward,” said Pohlad Family Foundation President Bill Pohlad. “Our support of small business alone cannot meet the need or realize the opportunity. So we ask others to join us in supporting this work that also helps families and neighborhoods, and retains needed nonprofit services.”

See below for additional information on programs and participating agencies.

Partner Nonprofit Program Administrators

Minnesota Chamber of Commerce Foundation

Jennifer Byers, Vice President, 651.292-4673 and

Bill Blazar, Senior Vice President, Grow Minnesota! 651.292-4658

$3 million for job retention during growth planning (awarded by July 29, 2009)

$2 million PRI* low-interest working capital/capital improvement loans

$1 million matching grant for additional funds for effort

Neighborhood Housing Services of Minneapolis

Rony Davis, Executive Director, 612.521-1884

Dayton’s Bluff Neighborhood Housing Services of St. Paul

Jim Erchul, Executive Director, 651.774-6995

$2 million to provide $8,000 to homebuyers purchasing homes in the 55411 or 55106 zip codes

Minnesota Housing Finance Agency

Dan Bartholomay, Commissioner, 651.296-2172

$2.4 million for rental assistance and services to homeless families for up to 24 months

Family Housing Fund

Tom Fulton, President, 612.375-9644

$1 million PRI* for Home Prosperity Fund which helps nonprofits purchase and rehab housing

MAP for Nonprofits

Judy Alnes, Executive Director, 651.632-7227

$5 million for job retention and temporary jobs (distributed by June 1, 2009)

$1 million matching grant for additional funds for effort

For additional information about the programs above, call the agencies directly.

Other Pohlad Family Foundation Program Support

$1.2 million to retain jobs in nonprofits ineligible for MAP for Nonprofits funds

$1.25 million for energy efficiency upgrades in affordable housing located in 55411 or 55106

Up to $250,000 for program administrative support

*PRI (Program Related Investments) – investments made by foundations to support charitable activities that involve the potential return of capital within an established time frame.