FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is a grant from the MicroGrants organization?
It is a financial sponsorship of a $1000 to an individual who is on their way to becoming self-sufficient.
How are MicroGrants awarded?
MicroGrants candidates are interviewed and selected based upon their need, their use of the grant, and their qualifications as an individual of potential; i.e. someone who is determined to be on their way to a self-supporting income/career.
Who receives the $1000 grants?
Individuals working with partner agencies, primarily in the Minneapolis and St Paul neighborhoods.
Do these $1000 grants from MicroGrants need to be paid back?
No. As the name implies, they are grants, with no expectation that any part of the money will be paid back. MicroGrants wants to help recipients learn to build equity, not acquire debt.
How much of every donation to MicroGrants is paid out?
At least $.92 of every dollar donated is invested in the recipients. Low overhead is one of the important precepts of our organization.
Will my donation remain anonymous?
Yes. Donations enter into a pool of MicroGrants funds for anonymity purposes. All donors are listed in our Annual Report as a donor unless the person requests anonymity.
Can I make a donation for more than $1,000?
Yes. The total amount donated will be granted to as many recipients as it can financially assist.
How do potential recipients apply to MicroGrants?
Due to the high volume of applications and the desire to keep overhead at a minimum, MicroGrants has chosen to implement the following referral process. Applications will only be accepted by e-mail on a typed MicroGrants application, and the application must come approved from an approved agency.
These submissions will be from individuals that are involved in programs at the following agencies.
An applicant must work through one of these agencies in order to qualify for an application:
- WomenVenture
- Project For Pride in Living (PPL)
- Summit Academy OIC
- Jeremiah Program
- Daily Work
- Midtown Global Market
- African Development Center (ADC)
- People Responding in Social Ministry (PRISM)
- Twin Cities Rise!
- Wilder Foundation
- Minneapolis Consortium of Community Developers (MCCD)
- Metropolitan Economic Development Association (MEDA)
These agencies have policies, practices, and mentorship programs that are in harmony with the values, goals, and management capabilities of MicroGrants. The agency then emails the approved application directly to MicroGrants where it is approved.
They keep in mind the following when making referrals:
- MicroGrants funds committed recipients who will be mentored and evaluated.
- The non-profits that are working to make low-income people more self-sufficient are best qualified to play that supportive role.
- Referrals don’t come directly from our partner non-profits but through an agent at these organizations because anyone can say, “PPL referred me.” We need to know our recipients are working along with these various agencies and who at each agency is referring each applicant.
MicroGrants is not an entitlement program, but a private effort to help a very specific type of applicant with an opportunity for advancement. This usually involves an opportunity to make more money and become more self-sufficient. Thank you for your understanding.
Does MicroGrants maintain a relationship with the recipients? Yes. MicroGrants is connected with their recipients through their non-profit partner agencies. The non-profits who send us referrals:
- Select the worthy recipient
- Mentor the recipient throughout his or her involvement with the financial grant
- Evaluate each recipient as to how well the goals were realized
A little more about the non-profit partner agencies* that work with MicroGrants:
They are organizations specializing in helping lower-income individuals and families become self-sufficient. These organizations provide us with referrals: PPL, Summit Academy OIC, Twin Cities Rise!, and Women Venture and a few other select non-profits that help the poor become self sufficient.
Women Venture (WV) — is a leader in providing the tools and support to help women (and men) start and grow their business, find a new job, or develop a new career path. In its three-decade history, more than 90,000 women and men have been served.
Project For Pride in Living (PPL) – Founded by Joe Selvaggio in 1972, PPL has served thousands of low-income people build brighter, stable futures and stronger communities as a result of PPL’s innovative approach of helping people help themselves. PPL’s mission is to work with lower-income individuals and families to achieve greater self-sufficiency through housing, employment training, support services, and education.
Summit Academy OIC (SAOIC) — is a nonprofit educational and vocational training center that empowers and prepares adults residing in the most economically depressed neighborhoods in the Twin Cities to become educated, employed, contributing members of their community. SAOIC graduates are skilled and motivated workers who can start taking care of their families, paying taxes and helping to stabilize and vitalize their communities.
Jeremiah Program (JP) — At JP, access to safe, affordable housing and quality childcare enables single mothers to complete post-secondary education, launch successful careers, and create a stable, prosperous future for their children. At Jeremiah Program, access to safe, affordable housing and quality childcare enables single mothers to complete post-secondary education, launch successful careers, and create a stable, prosperous future for their children.
Midtown Global Markets (MGM) — is an internationally themed public market featuring fresh and prepared foods, restaurants, and a selection of arts and crafts from around the world. MGM develops and maintains a public market that builds upon the economic, social and cultural assets within the surrounding community and welcomes the diverse ethnic entrepreneurs/business owners of this vibrant community to share and celebrate together the healthy foods, arts, crafts and other aspects of their heritages.
Daily Works (DW) assists inadequately served jobseekers find employment and advance toward financial independence.
African Development Center (ADC) works within the African communities of Minnesota to start and sustain successful businesses, build assets and promote community reinvestment. ADC is dedicated to the economic empowerment and success of African immigrants, and actively works to create a path for African immigrants to achieve financial success.
People Responding In Social Ministry (PRISM) is a community-funded social service agency that provides families in need with food, financial assistance, transportation and other services in times of financial hardships. It provides support-based programs that encourage self-sufficiency.
Twin Cities Rise (TCR) was founded in 1994 as an anti-poverty program for low-income adults – particularly men of color – living in generational poverty. It provides employers with skilled workers by training under-and unemployed adults for jobs that pay a living wage of at least $20,000 annually.
Wilder Foundation is a non-profit health and human services organization founded by a wealthy Saint Paul businessman, Amherst H. Wilder and his family. For more than 100 years, Wilder has combined direct service, research, and community development to address the needs of the most vulnerable people in greater Saint Paul.
Metropolitan Economic Development Association (MEDA) Our Mission is to help entrepreneurs of color succeed. Through accomplished and experienced professionals, MEDA offers one-on-one business consulting, training, leadership development, government contracting assistance, access to financing, networking with peers, assistance with minority certifications, strategic planning, and more.
Minneapolis Consortium of Community Developers (MCCD) is an association of community development organizations committed to expanding the wealth and resources of neighborhoods through housing and economic development initiatives. Members have worked together to increase opportunities for development of quality, community-based projects through collaborative action on public policy issues, loan fund development, public education efforts, and long-term strategic planning.
If you have questions that have not been answered her on our website, call the MicroGrants office phone at 612-823-2077
