Client Spotlight:Neighborhood Development Center
Throughout 2025, Collectivity continued its collaboration with the Neighborhood Development Center (NDC), who have been stewarding the PROMISE Act grant within the Twin Cities.
Minnesota launched the PROMISE Act to address the structural inequities that have hindered growth and community prosperity in specific neighborhoods of Minneapolis and Saint Paul post-pandemic and social uprising. The PROMISE Act is more than a funding model; it is a vehicle for positive systems change.
We spoke to Melissa Gutierrez Nelson, Program Manager for the PROMISE Act at NDC, to reflect on the power of partnership, community-based infrastructure, and what equity in action really looks like.
What is the PROMISE Act, and how did NDC come to lead this work?
“In 2023, the Minnesota Legislature enacted the PROMISE Act to provide targeted support for small businesses in key areas of Minneapolis and Saint Paul that have been disproportionately affected by long-standing systemic challenges including structural racial discrimination, civil unrest, limited access to capital, aging population, and economic underdevelopment.”
-Melissa Gutierrez Nelson
As part of this initiative, the State of Minnesota selected the Neighborhood Development Center (NDC) to administer the PROMISE Act Grant Program for the Twin Cities region. This honor reflects NDC’s 30-year legacy of empowering local entrepreneurs, particularly those from underserved communities.
Collectivity believes NDC was an ideal choice to lead this work due to its wealth of experience supporting local entrepreneurs and advancing community development, . We are proud to work alongside NDC and other partners in developing the program’s architecture.
Round 1 of the PROMISE Act made a meaningful impact, especially for entrepreneurs who’ve historically been left out of traditional funding opportunities.
“ The numbers tell a deeper story: the fact that 80% of applicants required and received navigation support affirms why strong infrastructure and intentional program design are crucial. Equity-centered systems aren’t just about who gets funded, they’re about how people are empowered and supported along the way.”
-Melissa Gutierrez Nelson
At the heart of the PROMISE Act is a commitment to empowering communities through collaboration and equity.
This program’s success would not have been possible without the invaluable contributions of 17 community partners. These organizations played a pivotal role in ensuring that the program was accessible, equitable, and deeply rooted in the needs of the neighborhoods they serve.
Round 1 of PROMISE Act grant distributions has since been completed (read Impact Report); however, with funds still available, on September 23rd, NDC launched Round 2, and has continued accepting applications on a rolling basis until funding runs out.
Throughout both rounds 1 and 2, there has been a tension between applicant accessibility and ease of application and the need for stringent documentation and fraud mitigation. NDC, in partnership with Collectivity and other partners, have invested in a stronger technological infrastructure to streamline applications and increase technical assistance. Our teams worked to ensure future rounds would enhance user friendliness and utilize better communication methods while also maintaining robust fraud prevention practices.
Throughout 2025, NDC improved…
Access to the Eligibility Quiz and Application Portal
Additional FAQ and Resources for Applicants on the website to educate and inform potential applicants
Technical Assistance Pipeline technology to make technical assistance more responsive and streamlined for applicants
Application Labs to help prepare organizations for the MN PROMISE Act application.
Whether building backend infrastructure, co-creating technical assistance models, or convening partners, each of these practices is strengthened by an equity-centered approach.
Our ultimate goal is for the community to meet this moment. Building systems alongside community is the secret ingredient for success.
Learn more about the PROMISE Act and find out if you are eligible for grant support
Talk to a Collectivity team member about equitable program design and systems thinking
Explore the impact of the Neighborhood Development Center on our community
