“Everyone wants to feel good about using more renewable energy, but if you’re low-income, you just don’t have the option of saying ‘I’m going to invest in solar because it will pay off in 20 years,’” says Brandy Toft, Environmental Deputy Director for the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe in northwestern Minnesota. “When you’re struggling, …
In 2007, then 13-year-old Alec Loorz was inspired to join the burgeoning climate change movement but had difficulty gaining a foothold due to his youth and perceived inexperience. So, he took matters into his own hands, created his own slide deck, and started talking about it… and talking about it. He’s now spoken to over …
When Fairmont Estates, a manufactured home community in southern Minnesota, was suddenly put on the market after 25 years of ownership by a Wisconsin-based investor, residents of the 94-site community knew they needed to act quickly if they wanted a role in the future of the association. As several prospective investors immediately submitted their offers, …
Practical Farmers of Iowa (PFI) works to strengthen farms and communities through farmer-led investigation and information sharing, representing a diversity of farmers. Their members have conventional and organic systems, employ diverse management practices, run operations of all sizes, and come from a range of backgrounds. These farmers come together, however, because they believe in nature …
Pesticide Action Network (PAN) is part of a global network working to protect public health and the environment from the harms of pesticides, and to promote ecologically sound and socially just food and farming. PAN challenges the global proliferation of pesticides, defends basic rights to health and environmental quality, and works to ensure the transition …
Springboard for the Arts is an economic and community development organizations for artists and by artists. They work to build stronger communities, neighborhoods, and economies, believing that artists are an important leverage point in that work. They aim to cultivate vibrant communities by connecting artists with the skills, information, and services they need to make …
Saint Paul Neighborhood Network (SPNN) is a non-profit community media center that empowers people to use media and communications to better lives, use authentic voice to tell a story, and build common understanding. Founded in 1984 to offer a media voice to underrepresented people, SPNN has since become a national model in elevating community-based media …
Park Square Theatre opened in 1975 as a small, 80-seat theater in the Park Square building of downtown St. Paul. Since then, they’ve moved into a larger facility boasting a 350-seat proscenium stage and a 200-seat thrust stage. Park Square Theatre is now one of Minnesota’s top employers of local stage talent — 64 percent …
Paramount Center for the Arts is a community arts facility that provides opportunities for artistic production, creative exploration, arts education, and the enjoyment of arts and entertainment. Located in the historic, renovated Paramount Theatre in downtown St. Cloud, Paramount lends its stage to numerous community groups, as well as professional touring musicians and theatrical groups. …
The Minnesota Sinfonia is a professional, nonprofit chamber orchestra offering free-admission concerts and educational programs in and around the Twin Cities, playing for over 27,000 people each year. The only professional orchestra of its kind, The Sinfonia welcomes children to all of its free performances, and dedicates over half of its educational services to inner-city …