Resources and Ways to Help
Information
The Star Tribune’s website is regularly updated with giving and direct engagement opportunities.
MPR has an ongoing list of immediate Twin City needs and ways to help.
Uprising and Reclaim the Block are regularly updated sites with tangible steps on how to support the Black-led fight for police abolition in the Twin Cities.
Map of food and other donation sites. Click on specific sites on the map for detailed information.
This TwinCities.com article has information about efforts to support small businesses in St. Paul with relevant links for additional information about specific efforts or to become involved.
Here is a list of businesses and collectives that offer numerous options for donating directly to causes, organizations or small businesses. Many affected groups have set up their own crowd-sourcing donation options (i.e. Go Fund Me).
From Alumni
Asma Mohammed Nisami ‘14, Advocacy Director for Reviving the Islamic Sisterhood for Empowerment, frequently posts about ongoing needs and opportunities for direct service and giving throughout the Twin Cities, as well as other commentary https://twitter.com/asmaresists
Matt Privratsky of Ward 4 in St. Paul, has regular updates on his Twitter feed about ongoing needs, opportunities, and events with updated information and commentary.
Julian Applebaum ‘23 started a GoFundMe campaign to assist with rebuilding after property damage: gf.me/u/s5ij67
Donations to Rebuild Businesses and Communities
Lake Street Council is a long-term Macalester nonprofit partner raising funds to help rebuild Lake Street businesses, many of which are family-owned by immigrants and people of color. Matt Kazinka ‘11 is the Senior Strategic Initiatives Manager. Donations are accepted here.
Union Park District Council is a longtime partner of Macalester and has been a site for Macalester’s Off Campus Student Employment Program and has partnered on academic projects. Union Park District Council and Hamline-Midway Coalition, which has also worked with Macalester classes, are raising funds to help restore St. Paul businesses on the University Avenue corridor via the Neighbors United Funding Collaborative. Donations are accepted here.
The Open Door Learning Center, a Lives of Commitment partner at 2700 E. Lake Street in Minneapolis works with immigrants and refugees providing free classes in ESL and work preparation.
Hallie Q. Brown Community Center – An African American, nonprofit social service agency open to all, primarily serving the Rondo community of Saint Paul.
Migizi Communications advances a message of success, well-being, and justice for Native Youth and the American Indian community.
NEON (Northside Economic Opportunity Network) has compiled a helpful resource of organizations and initiatives assisting Northside businesses and community organizations. See the resource here. Also NEON’s Twitter feed has updates on events, articles and needs.
West Broadway Business and Area Coalition is helping to coordinate a fund to assist and restore North Minneapolis businesses and community organizations. You can donate through the Northside Funders Group here.
The WFPC Mutual Aid Project is designed to share a collection of mutual aid funds and community resources, as well as provide local mutual aid networks with tools to employ political education and activism.
Partner Organizations Organizing for Racial Justice
Black Visions Collective (BLVC) is developing Minnesota’s emerging black leadership and building movements from the ground up. Site is accepting donations.
Voices for Racial Justice: Building power and strategies for racial justice using organizing, leadership training, community policy and research.
CTUL (Centro de Trabajadores Unidos en la Lucha): Long-term Mac partner org focused on workers’ rights, based in South Minneapolis; Facebook and Twitter accounts link people to information, events, and actions.
CUAPB (Communities United Against Police Brutality): Mac partner org–involved in many public events and work on issues.
ISAIAH: A multifaith community organizing group that has partnered with Macalester on community organizing development, trainings, and projects. Vivian Ihekoronye ‘13 and Ollin Montes ‘17 are field organizers. Isaiah’s Facebook and Twitter pages link people to information, events, and actions.
Showing up for Racial Justice is a network of groups working to undermine white supremacy and to work toward racial justice.
Stand With Minneapolis: We Can’t Breathe Fund Local, black-led, grassroots organization inspired by the life of the Prophet Muhammad, providing the North Minneapolis community with food and other essentials.
Pimento Relief Fund provides relief to black businesses without insurance after white supremacists set them on fire during the protests.
Food Donations
The Midway Food & Empowerment Project is an initiative of the Hamline-Midway Coalition in St. Paul, lists current opportunities for donations and direct involvement.
Bethlehem Lutheran, a center of food distribution in the Midway neighborhood of St. Paul (436 Roy St.) is accepting food and financial donations and volunteer help. Facebook page is updated with needs. Venmo: blcmiday
Ongoing, food drops offs on Lake Street at the Midtown Global Market (South Minneapolis) and on West Broadway Avenue and Emerson (North Minneapolis) 11 am – 4 p.m. daily. This is considered a pop-up food pantry for people in need who have lost access to neighborhood grocery stores on Lake Street or in North Minneapolis. https://twitter.com/daniellemkali/status/1266798456997318657/photo/1
Division of Indian Work is a longtime partner of Macalester that supports and strengthens urban American Indian communities. Cash donations preferred for the food shelf. If you want to drop off food or hygiene items, please call ahead of time.
Little Earth Residents Association is seeking food shelf donations. You can make donations here. Call ahead to confirm if you would like to drop off items.
Second Harvest Heartland Food Bank: listing of food shelves and emergency needs throughout the Twin Cities.
Organizations Focused on Police and Incarceration
Roots and Restore is a St. Paul coalition dedicated to community-based solutions to public safety.
Children of Incarcerated Caregivers: Macalester professors and students have supported this organization, which addresses the effects of mass parental incarceration on children.
Support the call to defund the Minneapolis Police Department: Black Visions Collective and Reclaim the Block: bit.ly/defundmpd
George Floyd Memorial Fund (set up by his brother) https://gofundme.com/f/georgefloyd
Color of Change petition to end violent policing against black people
NAACP Legal Defense Fund fighting for racial justice