We invest in collaborations and advocate for systemic change to reduce poverty and increase wealth in North Minneapolis.
North Minneapolis is home to 18% of the city’s population with 67,700 residents, but these residents earn only 12% of the city’s annual household income, resulting in one of the highest concentrations of low-income residents in the state.
With 13 neighborhoods blending long-established residents and newer arrivals from diverse cultures and ethnicities, the area has a history of strong community organizations and leadership. Yet poverty persists.
In 2001, North Minneapolis community members began working with the Northwest Area Foundation to examine local needs, assets and opportunities and to forge a common direction for the greatest long-term impact. The result was a community-developed action plan to reduce poverty and create wealth through community investment, resident engagement and business support.
To implement the plan, community members joined forces with the Northwest Area Foundation and The Minneapolis Foundation to create NorthWay Community Trust, which serves as a neutral facilitator to unite local energies, talents, resources and capabilities around this single, focused vision.
The Northwest Area Foundation gave NorthWay a $3 million grant to begin its work. Over the next decade, the Foundation may invest up to $10 million in NorthWay. Funds granted are under the control of the NorthWay Community Trust Board and will be used to staff the organization, promote its goals, develop community partnerships and sustain systemic reform. The funds will also leverage support and resources from community stakeholders and other local and national sources.
In 2004, the Board hired the agency’s first executive director, Wesley Walker, who in turn, brought on an administrative assistant, a program outreach manager, a research and evaluation program manager, and recruited a strong corps of community volunteers. In 2005, NorthWay established headquarters on West Broadway Avenue, historically one of the most significant commercial and cultural destinations in North Minneapolis.
Today, NorthWay continues to use its resources, skills and efforts to bring together people from all sectors of the community and fostering cooperation and collaboration in order to reduce poverty and increase prosperity among the poorest citizens in North Minneapolis.
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