January E-Newsletter

• New Staff at HFJ
• Announcing New Community Innovation Grant Recipients
• Giving Project Grant opportunity
• In the Community

New Staff at HFJ

Mary Delorié, Kristin Gilbert, and Crystal Wabnum recently joined the Headwaters staff. They bring key skillsets, relationships, and perspectives to each of their roles.

Operations and Development Associate Kristin Gilbert started at Headwaters in October 2019. She’s often the first person you see when you visit us. “Kristin has the heart of an organizer—she also has a big job with many moving parts! We’re lucky she’s here to make sure our daily operations run smoothly,” says Chief Operating Officer Julie Remmelts.

Kristin has extensive nonprofit experience and currently lives in North Minneapolis with her wife Kristen. She’s passionate about connecting people with opportunities to live out their values in community.

As an experienced community and cultural organizer, grants manager, and researcher, Crystal Wabnum joined the Program Team in November 2019. “It’s so exciting to welcome a new program officer—especially as we introduce the new Giving Project participants to each other,” says Program Director Melissa Rudnick.

Crystal is an enrolled citizen of the Kickapoo Tribe in Kansas, an affiliate of the Prairie Band Potawatomi and Cherokee nations who also identifies as Mexican. She basks in her roles as auntie, grandmother, and godmother.

Mary Delorié is our Director of Individual Giving. She joins Headwaters as 2020 begins. Mary will oversee and manage our relationships with donors of all giving levels. Her extensive fundraising and leadership background make her the ideal person for this new role. “Mary’s already thinking about how to encourage everyone to see themselves as a donor who can influence change across Minnesota,” says Executive Director Maria De La Cruz.

Beyond her roots in Minnesota, Mary has family in Australia and the Seychelles Islands. She is a fan of local theater, camping in Minnesota State Parks, and international travel.

Read more about Mary, Kristin, and Crystal on our website.

Announcing New Community Innovation Grant Recipients

HFJ awarded $130,000 to 13 organizations through its Community Innovation Grant program. The one-year, project-based grants were supported by an ongoing partnership with the Bush Foundation.

The investments will help Minnesota’s communities find more effective, equitable, and sustainable solutions to their challenges and opportunities. “Five years of Community Innovation grantmaking proves how important it is for funders to truly invest in communities and community leaders,” said Program Director Melissa Rudnick. “Headwaters will keep centering their voices in everything we do; we know they have the wisdom and power to solve challenges, leverage opportunities, and strengthen communities.”

The 13 Community Innovation Grant recipients (and their headquarter cities) are:

• All Parks Alliance for Change, Saint Paul
• Appetite for Change, Minneapolis
• Asian American Organizing Project, Saint Paul
• Centro de Trabajadores Unidos en la Lucha, Minneapolis
• Exposed Brick Theatre, Saint Paul
• Good Food Purchasing Policy Twin Cities, Minneapolis
• Hispanic Outreach Program of Goodhue, Red Wing
• Navigate MN, Minneapolis
• Somali American Women Action Center, Minneapolis
• South Sudanese Foundation, Moorhead
• St. David's Center for Child and Family Development, Minnetonka
• Urban Homeworks, Minneapolis
• Voices for Racial Justice, Minneapolis

While we list headquartered cities above, several grantee organizations serve communities throughout Minnesota.

Applicants were asked to define their community, identify a challenge or opportunity, and outline their proposed solution. After an initial review, a committee of volunteer grantmakers reviewed applications against program criteria and made funding recommendations to the Headwaters Board of Directors.

Starting in 2020, Headwaters will offer Community Innovation grants two times per year. The first round of 2020 will open on Tuesday, February 18^th at 9 a.m.

Applications are due at 5 p.m. Central Time on Tuesday, March 17^th, 2020. Organizations can request between $500-$15,000 in funding.

For more information, please visit our website or contact Program Director Melissa Rudnick, [email protected], 612-400-6266.

Giving Project Grant opportunity

Headwaters is offering Giving Project grants to support organizations that are led by and for Black people, Indigenous people, and People of Color (BIPOC) and use a community organizing approach to address root causes of injustice.

The 2020 Giving Project Grant supports BIPOC community organizing work across Minnesota. Organizations can apply now online. Eligible organizations must have an organized constituency base; a clear understanding of what causes their communities' challenges; and specific goals and strategies that build power and change systems.

Participants of the 2020 Giving Project will raise all grant funds. The cross-class, multiracial cohort are spending six months raising money from their friends, families, and communities. They also lead the Giving Project grant grantmaking process.

We will accept applications Thursday, January 9th through 5 p.m. on Thursday, February 6th. The Program Team are hosting three information sessions on January 15th, 21st, and 28th. For more information please contact Program Director Melissa Rudnick: 612-400-6266 or [email protected]

In the Community

BIPOC Consultant Directory from Nexus
“Over the years Nexus has fielded many requests about various types of BIPOC* consultants. This database is our response to the many requests, and we hope it is helpful to both consultants and people/organization seeking knowledge and expertise from BIPOC communities. This being said, please note our disclaimer below. Enjoy!

A special thanks to all of the consultants and organizations who helped inform us about this database, former intern Omar Leal for starting this work and to current intern Keliyah Perkins for getting this live!

 *NOTE: We use the term BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) to recognize the many identities in the community.”

CloseKnit is seeking board members! 
CloseKnit (formerly Minnesota Host Home Network) catalyzes systems change for youth facing homelessness by championing lasting relationships with the caring adults already in their lives who are not their service providers. They develop strategies to fortify these life-giving connections and advocate for investing in their transformative power. Interested in learning more? Click here or contact CloseKnit Board Member Aaron Zimmerman. 

Winter Feast & Storytelling
Thursday, January 16^th 6 – 8 p.m.
Bdote Learning Center: 3216 East 29^th Street, Minneapolis
Join Bdote Learning Center & Wicoie Nandagikendan School for a night of traditional food, Dakota & Ojibwe language activities, and storytelling. The feast begins at 6 p.m. and will be followed by storytelling and activities.

Martin Luther King Jr. Breakfast and Day of Service
Monday, January 20^th, 8 – 10:30 a.m.
River’s Edge Convention Center: 10 Fourth Avenue South, Saint Cloud
Headwaters grantee partner #UniteCloud is one sponsor of this year’s event. The keynote speaker is Valerie Jarrett, a senior advisor to the Obama Foundation. She advocates for equal pay and criminal justice system reform; and works to end sexual assault and gun violence.

We will recognize the service of veterans and first responders, as well as others who selflessly serve our community. A dialogue will follow the keynote and a community service project will round out the morning activities.

Special programming for children grades K-5 will take place during the keynote with a focus on intercultural literacy and community service. Every child who takes part will get a book to take home.

The program is free and open to the public. Registration is required.

Power & Privilege Series: An Evening with Robin DiAngelo
Tuesday, February 4^th 5 – 6:30 p.m.
Carlson Family Stage, UMN: Minneapolis
Robin DiAngelo is currently an Affiliate Associate Professor of Education at the University of Washington. Her area of research is in Whiteness Studies and Critical Discourse Analysis, explicating how whiteness is reproduced in everyday narratives. She has numerous publications and books, including Is Everybody Really Equal?: An Introduction to Key Concepts in Critical Social Justice Education, co-written with Özlem Sensoy, and the NYT Bestseller White Fragility: Why It’s So Hard For White People To Talk About Racism.

Mission Monday
Monday, February 10^th 4:30 – 5:30 p.m.
the Bridge for Youth: 1111 West 22^nd Street, Minneapolis
Are you curious about what The Bridge for Youth does and how we impact the lives of youth experiencing homelessness? Join us for a Mission Monday on the second Monday of each month. All are welcome for an open house and conversation about the mission, vision, and work of The Bridge for Youth. For more information and to RSVP, contact Tim at [email protected] or 612-230-6685.

Muslim and Jewish Women’s Day at the Capitol
February 18^th 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Minnesota State Capitol Press Conference Room B971
As Muslim and Jewish women, we're socialized to believe awful stereotypes about one another. When we come together in resistance to create change in our state, we actively combat systems of white supremacy and white nationalism. Join us at the Capitol this year to fight for things we all care about: a state free of violence against women, menstrual products in our schools, gun violence prevention, and more! We will provide training, food, and sisterhood. Please register here so we can make legislative appointments for you: https://forms.gle/bRHatQau7qLPV4bc9 We will start the day in Press Conference Room B971 and will go to appointments after speeches from some of our favorite legislators!

2020 Muslim Women’s Leadership Conference
Saturday, March 7^th 7:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Minneapolis: Minneapolis
The RISE conference centers Muslim women’s voices by building a social network, providing concrete steps for change, and inspiring women to use their own strengths to positively affect social issues. Our theme this year, Right Time. Right Now, is meant to inspire, motivate and galvanize you into action. This year's keynote is Dr. Jamillah Karim, an award-winning author, speaker, and blogger. She specializes in race, gender, and Islam in America.

Conferencia Alianza Latinx
Saturday, March 28^th 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Metropolitan State University: Saint Paul
Metropolitan State University, Indigenous Roots and Alianza Latinx Presents: 2020 Conferencia Alianza Latinx.

Our goal is to address a variety of topics that has an impact on the Latinx community, specifically for Latinx college students. In the past, students explored themes ranging from cultural awareness to leadership development. The intent is to have students and community leaders create resourceful workshops to develop awareness, sense of urgency, useful knowledge, and a meaningful experience through community collaboration. By having students challenge themselves to lead and share the workshops, it can help motivate others to build a stronger Latinx community. We hope to inspire students to support one another while developing vigorous relationships.

Support Headwaters Foundation for Justice! Donate here