| Funding Available for Programs in Education, Economic Development and Housing |
| St. Cloud, Minn.— The Central Minnesota Community Foundation (CMCF) announced today that the opening of the 2018 Minnesota State Opportunity Grant will take place on December 1, 2017. CMCF will be administering this grant and the purpose of the funding is to enhance long-term self-sufficiency for central Minnesota communities of color by improving education, housing and economic outcomes and to create positive long lasting impact on the community. This funding is made available pursuant to 2017 Laws of Minnesota, Chapter 94, Section 2, Subd. 2 (ee). To learn more about the grant, visit www.communitygiving.org/grants and select “2018 Minnesota State Opportunity Grant”. Caryl Turnow, executive director of the Central Minnesota Community Foundation stated, “The greater St. Cloud region has many economic opportunities that are unfulfilled. We are grateful to the state for entrusting us with funds to grant to entities who provide programs that support our diverse population.” Two informational meetings will be held for those organizations interested in applying for this grant. The meetings will be held on December 5 from 6:00-8:00pm and December 6 from 3:00-5:00pm. To register to attend one of these meetings, visit www.communitygiving.org/events. The 2018 Minnesota State Opportunity Grant is a competitive grant round. Eligible organizations must be a 501(c)3 nonprofit, school or government entity and must serve people of color in the Benton, Stearns or Sherburne County. Grant applications will be accepted December 1 through January 31 at 11:59 PM. Applicants will be informed of their status approximately 100 days after the grant deadline. The Central Minnesota Community Foundation (CMCF), in affiliation with CommunityGiving, is a public charity that attracts and administers charitable funds for the benefit of the local community. Since 1985, CMCF has grown to over $89.6 million in assets and awarded over $93.1 million in grants to local non-profits. CommunityGiving is a collaboration of community foundations united under a single framework to create efficiencies that maximize the impact of our donors. The core foundations working with CommunityGiving include the Alexandria Area Community Foundation, the Brainerd Lakes Area Community Foundation, the Central Minnesota Community Foundation and the Willmar Area Community Foundation. Collectively, CommunityGiving administers more than 700 funds totaling more than $129 million. Learn more at CommunityGiving.org/CentralMN |