Target Foundation – hometown

Committed to advancing racial equity in the Twin Cities region.

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At Target, we believe that the health of our business depends on the vitality of our hometown community, and that a vibrant and growing economy is only possible when economic opportunities are available to all our neighbors. The Target Foundation is committed to advancing racial equity that enables shared prosperity and opportunity for all​.

 

grants and initiatives

In addition to supporting the overarching Minneapolis-St. Paul philanthropic ecosystem and addressing persistent and immediate community needs, through our hometown program, the Target Foundation concentrates its investments in organizations working to address the specific systemic and structural barriers facing Black, Indigenous and People of Color communities. We do this in four priority areas: entrepreneurship and small business, workforce development, housing and asset building.

  • Entrepreneurship and Small Business: The Foundation supports entrepreneurship initiatives that address current ecosystem gaps, drive inclusive practices and create access to knowledge, services, networks and capital for entrepreneurs at all stages.
  • Workforce Development: The Foundation supports employment and technical training opportunities to ensure the workforce development system operates effectively and connects job seekers and workers with the skills they need to succeed.
  • Housing: The Foundation supports efforts that increase housing availability, stability and access—creating pathways to greater opportunity.
  • Asset Building: The Foundation supports organizations that improve the asset-building opportunities available to traditionally marginalized communities, especially those that are engaged in work to increase financial inclusion, wealth-building and overall financial health.

The Target Foundation is proud to share its 2020 hometown grant recipients, providing more than $5 million to over 70 nonprofit organizations. And in this extraordinary year, these grants provide general funding, allowing recipients to use the funds to bolster their efforts in whatever way needed in these challenging times.

View our 2021 Target Foundation grant recipients

 

how to apply

The 2021 Hometown racial equity grant cycle is now closed. We'll update applicants on funding decisions in the fall.

Learn more about our funding guidelines

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“We have immense pride in our hometown, and we know there is a lot of work to be done to advance racial equity in the Twin Cities and the state of Minnesota. In an effort to do our part to address the specific systemic and structural barriers facing Black, Indigenous and communities of color, we’re both excited and humbled to provide grants to more than 70 nonprofit organizations who serve and support these communities.”

Amanda Nusz
senior vice president of corporate responsibility and president of the Target Foundation

hometown grantee spotlights

 

InquilinXs UnidXs Por Justicia | United Renters for Justice (IX)

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The Target Foundation's financial support of our work has been integral to our ability to grow as an organization. In the past year, we have been able to increase our organizing staff by over 30%, dramatically increasing the number of renters we are able to reach. With this increased capacity, we have been able to advance the Rent Stabilization Charter Amendment to the ballot, begin building powerful cultural connections and community structures in the Sky Without Limits Cooperative, and take on one of the most neglectful and abusive landlords in North Minneapolis, Havenbrook Homes. We are building a movement of renter power that has the potential to truly transform the Minneapolis housing system into one that works for all of us. Thank you, Target, for your support of tenants in our city and the work of IX!

Jennifer Arnold
Director, InquilinXs UnidXs Por Justicia | United Renters for Justice (IX)

We’re proud to support InquilinXs UnidXs Por Justicia | United Renters for Justice (IX) and its vision to create a housing system that works for everyone.

Founded to build tenant power and change the Minneapolis housing system, IX works for permanently affordable democratic housing and structural changes through tenant unions, rent stabilization, stronger enforcement and cooperatively owned housing.

The Target Foundation’s general operating grant supports IX’s efforts to educate, organize and empower tenants, create policy and work to transform the housing system.

Mni Sota Fund

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The Target Foundation’s investment in Mni Sota Fund has given us the capacity to drastically deepen the support we provide our clients. The Foundation’s general operating grant shows tremendous trust in our team. We’re honored to be on this journey with such a thoughtful partner.

Kit Fordham
Executive Director, Mni Sota Fund

We’re proud to support Mni Sota Fund, an Urban Native CDFI, and its mission to provide training and access to capital in order to promote home ownership, entrepreneurship, and financial capabilities among American Indian men and women throughout the state of Minnesota.

Founded in 2012, as a spin-off of the American Indian Community Development Corporation, Mni Sota Fund (formerly Bii Gii Wiin Community Development Loan Fund), was created in response to community conversations about key tools that had been missing from the Native community development ecosystem in the Twin Cities.

The Target Foundation’s general operating grant supports Mni Sota Fund’s efforts to create a thriving ecosystem of American Indian entrepreneurs throughout the Twin Cities with a vibrant Native-business district on the American Indian Cultural Corridor, as well as widespread American Indian homeownership and financial empowerment.

Youthprise

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We applaud the Target Foundation’s commitment to tackling the systemic barriers that have existed for too long in our community. Target Foundation’s benevolence and increased flexibility during the pandemic has positioned Youthprise to be more nimble and courageous in our response to the social and economic challenges facing youth.

Marcus Pope
Vice President, Youthprise

We’re proud to support Youthprise and its mission to increase equity with, and for, Minnesota’s indigenous, low-income and racially diverse youth.

A philanthropic intermediary, Youthprise’s impact areas include promoting the learning, leadership and social-emotional development of youth and creating opportunities for economic prosperity by supporting programs and initiatives that build workforce skills, promote youth entrepreneurship and expose youth to career pathways. It also promotes the holistic health and safety of young people by meeting basic needs and ensuring young people are safe.

The Target Foundation’s general operating grant supports Youthprise’s efforts to create a Minnesota where outcomes for youth are no longer predictable by race, geography or socioeconomic status.