Program areas at MPF
See schedule o.major multi-year capital investmentsriverfirstthe riverfirst initiative is a 20-year vision for transforming 5.5 miles of heavily industrialized Mississippi riverfront from downtown Minneapolis to the city's northern limit with a series of interconnected Parks and trails. The Minneapolis Parks Foundation (mpf) collaborates with the Minneapolis park & recreation board (mprb), the city of Minneapolis, and other public and private partners to realize the riverfirst vision of restoring a relationship between under-resourced communities in north Minneapolis and the region's greatest natural asset the Mississippi river. Mpf's role is to advocate for innovation, raise private philanthropy for riverfirst projects, and engage the community to keep this vision a priority for the city, implementing agencies, policymakers, and funders.mpf built awareness and use of water works at mill ruins park and the overlook at 26th ave n, which experienced a growing number of visitors in 2022 after newly opening in 2021. Activities included: (1) making the overlook at destination for a new walk & talk and well as a series of community slow roll events; (2) hosting events at water works and promoting its recognition by national organization like american institute of architects and james beard; (3) creating a digital storytelling series about the multi-cultural and intersecting stories this sacred space has itself hosted; and (4) participating in the design process for the trail extension connecting ole olson park to the overlook.north commons parkthrough the long-range master planning process, north commons park has emerged as a top priority for both the north Minneapolis community and the Minneapolis park and recreation board. In 2022, mpf entered into a memo of understanding with mprb to support planning, community engagement, and funding for the north commons project. Our work included 1) completing a capital campaign feasibility study; 2) planning and hosting engagement events with community collaborators; 3) initiating capital fundraising, and 4) promoting engagement events and amplifying park and project awareness. Equitable investments throughout Minneapolis parksthe Minneapolis Parks Foundation is the only independent donor-supported nonprofit that contributes across the entire Minneapolis park system. We collaborate with community to unlock projects and programs that promote equity and cultural inclusion, health and wellbeing, connections to the natural world, climate resilience, and economic vitality.people for Parks fundcreated in 2020 through our consolidation with people for Parks, the people for Parks fund carries forward a 40-year legacy of grant making for small neighborhood-based projects and programs in Minneapolis Parks. In 2022, we (1) initiated the fund's second grant cycle, distributing grants to local nonprofits and agencies; (2) documented the outcomes 2022 grants with profiles on our blog; (3) hosted the posters for Parks show, a virtual fundraising event co-hosted by lovemplsparks with proceeds supporting the people for Parks fund; (4) partnered in three brewery runs with proceeds supporting the fund; and (5) administered the fund under guidance from the advisory committee, consisting of mpf board members and representatives from the community.reimagining the civic commonsreimagining the civic commons (rcc) is a collaborative effort of national foundations and local partners working to transform public spaces in ways that advance engagement, equity, environmental sustainability, and economic development. In 2022, mpf continued as convener of rcc in Minneapolis. In 2022, we (1) hosted an interagency planning session as part of design week at north commons; (2) participated in national learning network initiatives, including helping to produce a community engagement tools for practitioners; (3) hosted "studio 6," an in-person symposium of 120+ national Parks and city planners and designers; and (4) supported community-led initiatives to engage youth and adults in community-building events.fostering engagementmpf seeks to connect people to each other and nature through our Parks. In 2022, we (1) hosted three new walk & talks and published coordinating self-guided tours; and (2) re-stocked 50+ little free libraries with more than 1,750 culturally relevant adult and children's books.eventsnext generation of Parks event seriesthrough mpf's always-free next generation of Parks events, global design innovators and thought-leaders demystify the intersection of Parks and the important issues of the day, including equity, climate change, physical and mental health, and value creation. In 2022, mpf hosted its first hybrid event, featuring ambreen tariq for a two-part talk-then-walk that drew hundreds of registrants. The event was hosted on february 5, 2022, in partnership with the great northern festival. Posters for parksposters for Parks is an annual fundraising event that supports the people for Parks fund. In 2022, 41 artists created original works of art which were sold at an in-person gallery event on october 22, as well as online. More than 1,000 posters were sold, with half of each sale going to the artist and proceeds from the remaining half supporting the people for Parks fund.sunrise on the mississippinearly 250 people gathered under the big tent on thursday, september 8, for our annual breakfast benefit, sunrise on the Mississippi. Minneapolis Parks superintendent al bangoura shared his vision for Minneapolis Parks, saying, "because Parks offer something for everyone like nothing else in our society it's not enough to be good enough, we have to be amazing." Donors responded in kind: giving the first standing ovation in eight years of sunrise and raising funds to support transformative Parks projects and programs.