Ward 8 Community Benevolence Fund Update June 2023:


The Board of The Ward 8 Community Benevolence Fund is pleased to announce that it has completed the review and awarding of financial grants to businesses, community organizations, and 501(c)(3) organizations that enhance the community at 38th and Chicago in Minneapolis in specific ways.


Since the grant application process began in early January 2023, the Board of The Ward 8 Community Benevolence Fund received dozens and dozens of requests for grant considerations and wanted to give each applicant thoughtful and careful consideration to determine if and how the submission lined up with the guidelines and Fund objectives. The Fund received grant requests far in excess of the amount of money available.


The Board received and reviewed each application individually, ensuring the limited funds would be put to good use within the community and meet the Fund’s stated goals, and has awarded financial grants of various dollar amounts to businesses and organizations in Ward 8 that: support children’s mental and emotional well-being through social services and literature, teach children entrepreneurial skills, are family-owned and community-based restaurants that provide jobs and gathering places, independent businesses and retailers that provide jobs  and skills training, visual and performing arts organizations that add cultural value and expression to the community.


With the awarding of grants in summer 2023, The Ward 8 Community Benevolence Fund has met its objectives and is no longer accepting or awarding any further grant requests. The Board thanks all applicants for their interest and hopes the funding of grants provides a legacy of meaningful investment in the community that enhances the quality of life for all residents, workers and visitors for years to come.

THE FUND

The tragic events of May 25, 2020 not only took the life of George Perry Floyd, but created a worldwide awakening and reckoning about deep-seated racial injustices in American society. The Minneapolis, Minnesota neighborhood near the intersection of 38th and Chicago, the city’s Ward 8, became the epicenter of that movement, demonstrating the need, the frustration and the hope in the predominantly Black community.


The Floyd family has been intensely moved by the outpouring of affection and support and is committed to creating last change in that community and beyond. The family has committed to supporting that change with the donation of $500,000 to provide uplifting and strategic grants to businesses and organizations in the community that are equally committed to positive change. The family, with the support of their civil litigation team  including Attorneys Ben Crump, Antonio Romanucci, and Jeff Storms, have formed The Ward 8 Community Benevolence Fund (The Fund) to provide economic/financial support to the community. 


The Fund is a Minnesota non-profit public charity organization, has applied for 501 (c) (3) status, and board members of The Fund include members of the Floyd family, community leaders, and members of the Floyd family civil litigation team.

OUR MISSION

The Ward 8 Community Benevolence Fund is committed to raising up and giving breath to the businesses, individuals and organizations in Minnesota that have been detrimentally impacted by systemic racism.

CONTACT US

All inquiries to: info@theward8fund.org

Grant Program for businesses and community organizations

PREFERRED ACTIVITIES

The Fund prefers projects that have a local impact, and organizations must show evidence of the significance of the program to local community and that it raises up and gives breath to the businesses, individuals and organizations in Minnesota that have been detrimentally impacted by systemic racism.


The Ward 8 Community Benevolence Fund is interested in giving grants for:


  • The creation or expansion of a local business
  • Support of a non-profit organization that serves the community 
  • Artwork or other permanent tributes to inspire the community and visitors
  • Programs that educate business owners or potential business owners


The Ward 8 Community Benevolence Fund will not fund grant applications for:

  • Projects with no connection to the community of 38th & Chicago in Minneapolis or to community benefits broadly 
  • Ongoing operating expenses of a business or organization
  • Political campaigns, election activities or other political activities that are inconsistent with the organization’s tax-exempt status. 
  • Fundraising benefits or mass appeal solicitations (However, the Fund reserves the right to participate in organizations’ fundraising when it deems necessary or appropriate). 

GRANT EVALUATION CRITERIA

Proposals submitted to the The Ward 8 Community Benevolence Fund will be evaluated based on the following criteria:

The alignment of the program to the Fund’s mission

The impact of the program

The management efficiency of the requesting organization and its ability to conduct the program

CONDITIONS OF GRANTS

CONDITION 1

All materials submitted to The Ward 8 Community Benevolence Fund become the property of the Fund and will not be returned. Information contained in the proposals submitted may be shared with third parties and outside organizations as part of the Fund’s review process.

CONDITION 2

The Fund, in its discretion, may request a site visit and/or additional information to assist in its review and evaluation of the proposal. 



CONDITION 3

The Fund reserves the property rights, copyrights and all other rights of reproduction with respect to any intellectual property for which service is provided as a condition of this grant. 



CONDITION 4

Grant awards must be used strictly in accordance with the proposal and budget submitted in applying to the Fund. A grant recipient must petition the Fund for permission to make any changes or alternate use of grant funds.

CONDITION 5

If there are significant changes in a grant recipient’s mission, structure or personnel (especially management staff) during the grant period, that grant recipient must notify the Fund immediately.


CONDITION 6

Grant recipients are responsible for the proper use of funds and for maintaining adequate supporting records and accounting to demonstrate funds have been used for their intended purpose.

REPORTING REQUIREMENTS

All grant recipients must submit a report to the Fund when the grant money has been used for its intended purpose. Please submit reports via e-mail to grants@theward8fund.org so that the Fund can demonstrate it has effectively carried out its mission.

CHECKLIST OF REQUIRED CONTENTS

Completed Application

IRS Tax Determination Letter or other proof of an established business, non-profit or other organization

A budget for the organization, including most recent tax return or financial statement, preferably completed by an accountant

A budget for the project requested for funding by a grant

Resumes, biographies or LinkedIn profile of organization owner/leader

Completed Application

IRS Tax Determination Letter or other proof of an established business, non-profit or other organization

A budget for the organization, including most recent tax return or financial statement, preferably completed by an accountant

A budget for the project requested for funding by a grant

Resumes, biographies or LinkedIn profile of organization owner/leader

A detailed explanation of the project, including how it will benefit the community at 38th & Chicago (This portion of the application can be submitted in writing or in a video of no more than 5 minutes.)

A detailed explanation of the project, including how it will benefit the community at 38th & Chicago (This portion of the application can be submitted in writing or in a video of no more than 5 minutes.)

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