Community Fund

A Response to Community Need

The American Swedish Institute’s Community Fund began in 2020, in response to the seismic impact of both the COVID-19 pandemic and the civil uprising that followed the murder of George Floyd. The Fund was designed to be nimble and responsive to emerging neighborhood needs in the aftermath of these events. Four years from the inception of the fund, the needs of the community have evolved. As our neighborhood gains its footing and re-anchors, ASI is committed to welcoming our neighbors onto our campus, to being a resource for community builders and cultural keepers, and a place for generations of families to gather in every season. We look to partner and strengthen our ties with organizations of all kinds that serve our neighborhood. The Community Fund is only one part of ASI’s investment in these goals, and will focus on helping neighbors and peer organizations carry out well-defined programs and activities with a more immediate impact.

If you represent, or know of an organization primarily in the Phillips or adjacent neighborhoods of South Minneapolis that meets the following criteria and might benefit from access to the ASI Community Fund support, we encourage you to apply or share this information.

CLICK HERE TO APPLY

Process

The ASI Community Fund starts with $10,000 each fiscal year, which forms the bulk of the grants given out. The Community Fund committee is made up of a rotating group of staff volunteers for each granting cycle. Applications that receive funding usually describe a specific project or goal, rather than add to an organization’s operating budget. As a non-profit that also applies for several grants throughout the year, we want to get to know and support as many of our neighbors as we can in the Phillips West Neighborhood and beyond. We encourage all applications that fit our criteria, including from organizations that have already received a Community Fund grant, but keeping in mind the committee’s goal of enabling a multitude of projects and activities.

Fund Amounts and Application Deadlines 

• Gift amounts will generally range from $500 to $3,000.

• The next deadline to apply is Friday, March 15, 2024.
• Applicants are only eligible for funding once in a calendar year.

Focus Areas 

The American Swedish Institute is a gathering place for all people to share experiences around themes of culture, migration, the environment and the arts, informed by enduring links to Sweden. Funding priority will be given to projects or organizations working in or across three focus areas that connect deeply to ASI’s organizational history and mission, including: 

•  Projects or organizations that are immigrant-led and immigrant-serving. 

•  Projects or organizations that support and uplift cultural keepers and creators. 
•  Projects or organizations that center on environmental stewardship. 

Criteria  

• Project or organization connects deeply to one or more of the three focus areas listed above.   

• Project or organization has a clearly articulated and resonant mission.  
• Priority will be given to projects or organizations serving primarily Black, Indigenous and/or People of Color residing in Phillips or adjacent neighborhoods.  
• Priority will be given to projects or organizations addressing immediate needs.   
• Priority will be given to projects or organizations that demonstrate the impact of a small-scale gift on their work.  
• Applicant confirms that funds will be used only for charitable purposes and not for lobbying or political activities. 

Other Support Available  

If you do not receive a grant, there may be other ways ASI can support your initiative. In addition to fiscal support via the Community Fund, ASI hopes to support neighborhood and partner organizations or projects by offering free use of the grounds and campus on a case-by-case basis. ASI has several classrooms, conference rooms, and larger halls that are well-suited for hosting meetings or public events. We also have an extensive courtyard and parking lot area for outdoor programming or events. If your project or organization is seeking an event or meeting venue, please send inquiries to apriln@asimn.org.   

ASI also is glad to offer guest passes redeemable for museum admission upon request and discuss possible programmatic partnerships.  

The most recent round of ASI Community Fund recipients includes:

Winter 2023

• Bilingual Education Collective: The Bilingual Education Collective connects the five Spanish dual language schools as one community in Minneapolis. They promote and advocate for dual language programming, fundraise for international teaching assistants, celebrate students, and coordinate community-building events. The Community Fund supported direct mutual aid through the Newcomer Buddy Family Program, which pairs recently arrived families to the U.S. with established families within the Collective network.  
• MN Urban Debate League: The mission of the MNUDL is to empower Twin Cities middle and high school-aged students to become engaged learners, critical thinkers, and active global citizens who are effective advocates for themselves and their communities. The Community Fund supported the 10-year anniversary celebration of the Spanish Debate League initiative, their championship tournament, and the East African Debate Championship. 
• Semilla Center for Healing and the Arts: The Semilla Center for Healing and the Arts works to build community through quality arts programming that integrates arts with leadership and youth development, greening, and holistic health initiatives. They have especially tried to reach people who do not receive quality arts programming, including people with limited English language skills and with mental health issues. The Community Fund supported the construction of a traveling exhibit of 15 years’ worth of photos featuring the Phillips West Neighborhood.

Previous recipients include Tamales y Bicicletas, the Semilla Center for Healing and the Arts, the Somali American Women Action Center, Alley Communications, the English Learning Center, Joyce Preschool, the Phillips Community Free Store, Sisters’ Camelot, the Phillips West Neighborhood Organization, Banyan Community, Ebenezer Senior Care and the Corcoran Neighborhood Organization. Earlier initial donations also went to PICA Head Start and Open Arms of Minnesota. 

 

Donate to the Community Fund today!