Dear John,

This week we’re noticing a theme about money: money for our schools, workers, athletes, health, planet and more. Are our resources allocated to ensure our communities thrive? As fundraisers, we (Jessica and Laura) operate from a philosophy of abundance. We’re inspired by projects like the East Phillips Urban Farm in Minneapolis, that are moving our resources towards a cleaner, healthier future. What do you want public resources to go towards? Where do you want to see public dollars invested? Reply to this email and let us know.

Here’s what we’re reading, watching, and listening to this week.

1. $1 billion to clean up MN drinking water

“For decades, 3M dumped its chemical waste into unlined Washington County landfills, where it leached out, polluting 200 square miles of groundwater and four aquifers that provide drinking water to thousands of east metro residents,” writes Deena Winter in the Minnesota Reformer. The Minnesota Department of Health has identified 12 impacted cities where the toxins in drinking water are estimated to reach above the EPA’s recommended safe levels for consumption.

2. Millions saved for MN schools

The Minnesota Department of Education approved a plan to protect $219 million for special education funding from the U.S. Department of Education. This plan will need Minnesota legislative approval next session. But what will this new plan mean for teachers and students?

3. Millions on the table for states and schools

Earlier this year, Medicaid, the federal public health insurance program, announced new guidance about how states and schools can use resources to expand healthcare offered to students and communities. Read about how states and schools have left millions of dollars on the table, money that could be going to resources like mental health services and asthma and diabetes treatment.

4. Millions needed for the farm

East Phillips Neighborhood Institute, the nonprofit that won a historic battle to turn the Roof Depot site into an indoor urban farm, will have an extra two months to raise the $3.7 million needed to purchase the site from the city. Read on to see an architect’s vision on what the farm could look like.

5. Raises for condo workers

Unions in action! “Desk attendant and union organizer Josh Musikantow saw his wages rise 30 percent overnight — from $18.50 to $24 per hour — after he was hired by American Security and Investigations to do the same job he has done for 10 years,” reports Max Nesterak from the Reformer.

6. Spain prevails, amid fights for equality

Spain won the World Cup last weekend, topping off a record-breaking tournament where the competition was fiercer than ever before. That should be enough for the athletes to accomplish, though players in women’s athletics are often expected to do much more.

7. Parents' union

From one of our readers, check out this think piece about how the challenges of caregiving and meeting employer expectations have shifted this parent’s way of looking at society – and why they are compelled to organize for universal social safety nets.

8. Heat is Not a Metaphor

“I want to write a poem about how capitalism is a sinking ship and how the extreme wealth-hoarding and extractive polluting systems that benefit a few billionaires are destroying our planet and killing us all. But the orcas beat me to it,” writes Alexis Pauline Gumbs in this incredible article. I (Jessica) am a huge fan of Alexis Pauline Gumbs’ poetry, and this piece reflecting on the state of the planet – and the whales – is a “hot” one. For the Department of Homeland Security’s response to hot summer temps, check out this NPR feature.

9. Coral reefs saved by volunteer divers

If you could dive down and save the coral, would you help? This team of volunteer divers said yes! It’s been an emergency response of record proportions.

10. State Fair Bingo

Llama costume contest. Non-traditional pickle item. Check out this brilliant way to explore the State Fair from Racket MN.

And that’s a wrap!

Send us what you’re reading, watching and listening to.

Until next time,

Laura Kiernan (she/her)
Fundraising Specialist

Jessica Zimmerman (she/they)
Development Director