Propel Nonprofits Intermediary Capacity Building Initiatives aim to provide funding and relevant infrastructure to support Minnesota nonprofits organizations. Propel’s Capacity building initiatives are built on the assumption that a hybrid of self-determined, individualized capacity building activities coupled with cohort learning and relationship-building is an effective, efficient, and capacity building model. Capacity building initiatives are often developed through our strong connections with community partners. Each initiative is designed to meet a specific need in a community and to help nonprofits build their knowledge, skills, and capacity to thrive in a connected ecosystem of well-resourced nonprofits.
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The Nonprofit Infrastructure Grant Program (NIGP) is aimed at supporting the missions of small, culturally led organizations by strengthening their infrastructure. Increasing the capacity of small organizations that work with historically underserved cultural communities helps position these organizations for greater impact in their community. The NIGP provides grants, as well as ongoing support to grow the organizational capacity of small Minnesota nonprofits.
Seeding Cultural Treasures is an initiative to nourish and cultivate the landscape of emerging arts and culture organizations run by and for Black, Indigenous, and other People of Color (BIPOC). Thirty two organizations in Minnesota and 68 artists, culture bearers, and organizations in North and South Dakota have received unrestricted general operating grants and access to trainings, convenings, and technical assistance through 2025. An application round closed on August 24, 2023, for organizations located in and serving Greater Minnesota – find more information and apply here.
Capacity Building Initiative for Family Engagement: The 2-year Capacity Building Initiative (CBI) for Family Engagement cohort engaged 12 nonprofit or fiscally sponsored organizations in a participant-driven capacity building model to empower families in K-12 educational systems. The goal of CBI was to help participants deepen their efforts to engage families, and ultimately, create more culturally responsive, welcoming, and hospitable schools for BIPOC families by strengthening their internal capacity.
Capacity Building Initiative: Greater Minnesota: The intent of CBI-GM was to help expand the capacity of organizations located in Greater Minnesota to advance their mission and goals.
Equity Builder Loan Program: This program engaged with 21 arts and culture nonprofits around Minnesota to give them the financial freedom to think bigger, take risks, and thrive as cultural leaders in their communities.
Healthy Nonprofits, Healthy Communities – Itasca County: The Healthy Nonprofits, Healthy Community program supported nonprofits in Itasca County as they strengthened their financial management, developed strong boards of directors, and learned to forge collaborations with other organizations to serve the community more effectively. This initiative provided nonprofits several opportunities to identify and act on their highest priorities for capacity building.
Social Enterprise Accelerator Cohort: Propel Nonprofits, with support from Otto Bremer Trust, developed a social enterprise accelerator program in 2022 for Minnesota nonprofits that were developing an earned revenue stream to support the mission of their nonprofits.