Collaborative Leadership Grant (Ames Fund)

Collaborative Leadership Grant (Ames Fund)

Geographic Scope: Northfield, Minnesota area

Funder: The Ames Fund of The Minneapolis Foundation (administered through Northfield Shares)

Contact:

Phone: 507-403-9755

Email: info@northfieldshares.org

Address: 158 N Water St., Suite 1, Northfield, MN 55057

Program Overview

Northfield Shares sets aside funding from the Ames Fund each year to award a special Collaborative Leadership Grant. This grant supports organizations working on community-engaged initiatives that demonstrate collaborative leadership and generate significant multiplier effects in the Northfield community.

Award Amount

$25,000 (as of 2018-2019 cycle)

Focus Areas

The grant supports projects that:
• Create long-term solutions to pressing community problems
• Demonstrate collaborative approaches involving multiple stakeholders
• Encourage volunteerism and community engagement
• Generate leveraging of other funds and resources
• Address core issues affecting the Northfield community

Example Recipient

Community Action Center (CAC) of Northfield received the 2018-2019 Collaborative Leadership Grant for its Community Engaged Housing project—a multi-income community of homes, transitional housing, and emergency shelter for homeless youth, homeless families, low-income families, and working-class families seeking affordable housing. The funding was used to hire a project engagement coordinator to mobilize volunteers and community resources.

Background

The Ames Fund of The Minneapolis Foundation has been a major supporter of Northfield Shares' work:
• Initial capacity-building grant: $140,000
• Community grants to local nonprofits: $45,000
• Technology research for online volunteer platform: $5,000
• Three-year unrestricted operational grant (2019-2021): $150,000 ($50,000 annually)