Minneapolis Parks Foundation (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 continues to experience a growing number of visitors after opening in 2021. Activities continue around riverfirst with planning for an additional phase of park growth at waterworks, the trail extension connecting ole olson park to the overlook, as well as a planning for a possible pedestrian bridge connecting north to northeast Minneapolis over the Mississippi in the same area as the overlook.north commons parklike riverfirst and through 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 2023, mpf entered into a fundraising agreement with mprb to support funding for the north commons project with a $20m comprehensive capital campaign. Our work included 1) securing leadership funding; 2) planning and hosting engagement events with community collaborators; 3) initiating a capital campaign committee, and 4) promoting engagement and advocacy 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 2023, we (1) initiated the fund's third grant cycle, distributing grants to local nonprofits and agencies; (2) documented the outcomes of 2023 grants with profiles on our blog; (3) hosted the posters for Parks show, a fundraising event co-hosted by lovemplsparks with proceeds supporting the people for Parks fund; (4) partnered local restaurants 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 2023, mpf became a participating organization and passed the convener of rcc on. Our work is still guided by the values of rcc.fostering engagementmpf seeks to connect people to each other and nature through our Parks. In 2023, we (1) hosted two new walk & talks and published coordinating self-guided tours; and (2) re-stocked 50+ little free libraries with more than 1,500 culturally relevant adult and children's books, (3) hosted an earth day clean-up engaging more that 100 volunteers to clean up minnehaha falls park and (4)co-hosted a community design charet around the north commons park project with the park and recreation board.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 2023, mpf hosted three in person next generation of Parks events, welcoming mikyoung kim in march, jos gonzlez in may, and superintendent al bangoura in december.posters for parksposters for Parks is an annual fundraising event that supports the people for Parks fund. In 2023, 44 artists created original works of art which were sold at an in-person gallery event on october 14, followed by a week of online sales. Nearly 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 7, for our annual breakfast benefit, sunrise on the Mississippi. We welcomed nisha botchwey, dean of the humphrey school of public affairs, who talked about the significance and importance of Parks in our public realm. We also welcomed harmonee harrison and zavien neal, both youth apprentices from juxtaposition arts, to highlight the making of and inspiration behind the newly created riverview art installation along 26th ave. n.sunset in the parkswe hosted over 140 guests for a new fundraiser at longfellow gardens. It was a night of community joy, good food, and music. This was a new event that we hope will feel more inclusive, drive community-based fundraising for the people for Parks fund and grow in subsequent years.