Equity and the Saint Paul and Minnesota Foundation

Collectivity has had the honor of working with The Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation over the past 1.5 years to award grants to 42 nonprofit organizations and businesses that were impacted by COVID-19 and the social uprising through the East Metro Main Street Economic Revitalization Program. This was in partnership with the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED).

As of May 15, 2023, a total of $7 million in state funding was awarded to projects in the Snelling-University-Rice Cultural District, the East Side community and along West Seventh Street in Saint Paul. An additional $2.15 million was raised and distributed to further support applicants to meet program matching fund requirements and complete projects.

Statistics on the Impact of the Main Street program

We are proud to celebrate the success of this community-led grantmaking program and the contributions of our many partners through our impact report. Congratulations to all grantees!

Additional monies are available through the PROMISE Act in late 2024. This grant and loan program is primarily to support disadvantaged small businesses and social sector organizations located in certain neighborhoods in Saint Paul, Minneapolis and Greater Minnesota that were hit hard by the pandemic and civil unrest. The program funding was authorized by the Minnesota State Legislature and signed into law during the 2023 legislative session by Governor Walz. Click here to find out more! Read the Impact Report below.