This research project continues the analysis of trends in funding to Minneapolis neighborhood associations and St. Paul District Councils. In 1998,  researcher Joel Spoonheim (NPCR/CURA) worked with the Center for Neighborhoods, the Lyndale Neighborhood Association and a steering committee of representatives from 8 neighborhood organizations in Minneapolis and St. Paul to conduct an analysis of public and private funding trends to neighborhood-based organizations from 1993–1996. (View the report in PDF form)

The second phase continues that effort by providing insight into the resource development efforts undertaken by neighborhood organizations. Five case studies document the best practices undertaken by neighborhood organizations or project collaborations to generate resources at the neighborhood level. Additional analysis assesses what’s changed in the funding environment over the past five years. Research included a series of interviews with foundation representatives and an analysis of the correlation between private funding and public funding. Does the presence of one diminish the likelihood of the other? Is the pool of funders supportive of neighborhood work expanding or diminishing?

 A PDF version of the report is available here.

The project was undertaken in partnership with the Longfellow Community Council, East Phillips Improvement Coalition, and the Corcoran Neighborhood Organization. Work was guided by a steering committee consisting of representatives from a range of St. Paul and Minneapolis community councils and neighborhood organizations.

This project was made possible through resources provided by the Neighborhood Planning and Community Revitalization (NPCR), Center for Urban and Regional Affairs (CURA) at the University of Minnesota.

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