Writer: Chérie Lynn Canada
2 min read April 2024 — In the heart of Minneapolis-St. Paul, Twin Cities nonprofit organizations are on a mission to bridge educational gaps and empower students holistically. Through both direct and indirect impacts, these nonprofits address systemic challenges that affect students’ lives and their ability to achieve educational goals.
The education sector represents 14% of nonprofits in Minnesota, according to the 2022-2023 Minnesota Nonprofit Economy Report. This represents the third-highest share of financially active nonprofits by activity area. The Twin Cities region, including Anoka, Carver, Dakota, Hennepin, Ramsey, Scott, and Washington counties, employs 214,920 people in nonprofits, and 25,792 of those nonprofit employees are in the education sector.
Despite being placed as the fourth-best educated state in a recent U.S. News & World Report ranking, Minnesota has an alarming racial disparity problem in education. A 2019 report on Minnesota’s education achievement gap noted the U.S. Department of Education ranked Minnesota the worst in the country for racial disparities, with Minnesota Department of Education statistics pointing to Black and other students of color scoring 30 points or more lower on achievement tests compared to whites.
Working to address disparities in education, nonprofit organizations in the Twin Cities can directly and indirectly provide support by working from a holistic approach to help students and their families so they can achieve their full potential.
TFA Twin Cities is committed to providing quality education for all students, regardless of their socio-economic backgrounds. Its direct impact activities include providing resources, mentorship opportunities, college readiness programs, and after-school programs.
TFA Twin Cities ensures that classrooms have the necessary supplies, textbooks, and technology to enhance the learning experience. It connects aspiring educators with experienced mentors who guide them through their teaching journey. By offering workshops, college tours, and scholarship guidance, it prepares students for higher education. These programs extend learning beyond the classroom, providing enrichment activities and homework support.
“TFA Twin Cities has committed to a goal that by 2030, twice as many children in communities we serve will reach key educational milestones that build a path to economic mobility and a future filled with possibility,” according to its website. It impacts approximately 16,000 students across Minneapolis and St. Paul.
Greater Twin Cities United Way takes a universal approach to student success. Its indirect impact activities include advocacy, community awareness, and shelter and food services. By meeting students and families where they are at, it paves the way for academic success to take hold.
Greater Twin Cities United Way works to influence policies that promote equitable access to education. By advocating for funding, teacher training, and community engagement, it creates a supportive environment for students. Greater Twin Cities United Way also educates the community about the importance of education. Their campaigns highlight the role of education in breaking the cycle of poverty. Recognizing that basic needs must be met for effective learning, it provides shelter, food, and other essential services to vulnerable students and families.
Its impact includes “2,359 parents who deepened their parenting skills and resources, 5,000 culturally specific pantry packs filled with food essentials, 36,175 young people better prepared for the future, and 9,217 people who received housing related resources,” as cited from its website.
For more information, please visit:
https://www.teachforamerica.org/twin-cities
https://www.gtcuw.org/
