ST. PAUL, Minn.– The Affinity Plus Foundation said it has partnered with the Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines to announce $1 million in Member Impact Fund grants to 41 nonprofit organizations across Minnesota.
The Member Impact Fund matches up to $3 for every $1 contributed by FHLB Des Moines member institutions, supporting affordable housing and community development initiatives statewide, the organization said.
“Through this grant program, we are able to significantly expand our local charitable impact and support the incredible work of nonprofits serving our communities,” Affinity Plus Foundation Chair Jacquie Twedt said in a statement. “Whether it’s building transitional housing, delivering financial education, or improving food security, these organizations are the backbone of a stronger Minnesota.”
The Grant Recipients
The grant recipients include:
- Joy Collaborative ($140,000): Construction of a mobile “Joy Zone” for sensory-friendly respite at events for youth and adults with disabilities or life-limiting diseases.
- Lutheran Social Services ($100,000): Statewide re-activation of Train the Trainer financial education for nonprofit educators.
- New Pathways ($100,000): Funding towards a new, state of the art transitional housing center for families in Isanti County, including on-site resources for families experiencing homelessness.
- Kitchen Coalition/Second Harvest Heartland ($45,000): Providing additional culturally connected “heat & eat” meals for food-insecure Minnesotans, expansion of local meal distribution partners.
- Minnesota Council for Economic Education ($15,000): High School Personal Finance workshops certify high school educators to deliver required personal finance curriculum, making these life skills more accessible to students. The donation will expand the organization’s capacity to offer this workshop to 15 additional educators.
Community & Regional Grant Recipients
Grants were also awarded to nonprofits making a difference in affordable housing, housing stability, and food security, including:
Housing Stability Grants ($25,000 each)
- One Roof Community Housing (Duluth), St. Vincent de Paul dba St. Phillips Conference (Bemidji), ServeMinnesota (statewide), Northwoods Habitat for Humanity (Bemidji), Neighborhood House (St. Paul), Habitat for Humanity of Morrison County (Little Falls), Women’s Shelter & Support Center (Rochester), Relationship Safety Alliance (Brainerd), Life House (Duluth), Habitat for Humanity serving Winona County (Winona), Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity (St. Paul), Community Action Center (Northfield), Partnership for Affordable Housing (Mankato), Fergus Falls Habitat for Humanity (Fergus Falls), Habitat for Humanity of Douglas County (Alexandria), Committee Against Domestic Abuse (Mankato).
Food Security Grants ($10,000 each)
- Feeding Our Community Partners (Mankato), Open Arms of Minnesota (St. Paul), Duluth Community School Collaborative (Duluth), North Country Food Bank (East Grand Forks), Kaitlyn’s Kloset (Eagan), Open Hands Midway (St. Paul), The Sanneh Foundation (St. Paul), Neighbors, Inc. (South St. Paul), Outreach Food Shelf (Alexandria), Bridges of Hope (Brainerd), United Way of Bemidji Area (Bemidji), Open Cupboard (Oakdale), Emergency Community Help Organization (ECHO, Mankato), Valley Outreach (Stillwater), Channel One Regional Food Bank (Rochester), Rural Enrichment & Counseling Headquarters (REACH, Moorhead), People’s Church (Bemidji), The Food Group Minnesota (Minneapolis), The Open Door Pantry (Eagan), Second Harvest Northland (Grand Rapids).
