The McNeely Foundation funds organizations that create a more vibrant and sustainable East Side of St Paul. It will consider applications from organizations outside of the targeted geography and age group for innovative work that could be integrated or replicated on the East Side. Our four grantmaking focus areas are Youth Development Through Enrichment, Youth Development Through Employment Training, Environment, and Family & Neighborhood Stability.
Current grantees may submit another application before the existing grant is over, but only if the existing grant expires before the next grant would begin. A preliminary final report on the existing grant must be submitted with the grant application.
Middle-grade youth living on the East Side will develop their abilities so they can successfully make the transition to adulthood and achieve their greatest potential.
Expand access to community-based enrichment and life skills programming outside of the regular school hours with preference for middle school youth and consideration for high school youth.
Middle-grade youth living on the East Side will develop their abilities so they can successfully make the transition to adulthood and achieve their greatest potential.
Support quality community-based youth employment and job training programming during or outside of regular school hours for middle grade and high school aged youth.
Parks, natural open spaces, land, water and sacred sites on the East Side are protected, restored and accessible.
Increase connections between East Side neighborhoods and existing parks and natural open spaces.
Increase stewardship, development and usage of natural open spaces on the East Side with attention to cultural and historic land and water use.
Strategically support families and small businesses to promote financial stability and economic growth that contributes to East Side community wealth.
Strengthen capacity of entrepreneurs, nonprofits, small business owners and individuals to build economic wealth and stability through training, technical assistance and access to capital.
Support job creation and employment connections, education and training.
Maintain community development and community building organizations that support expansion of individual, business, nonprofit, and community assets.
The McNeely Foundation considers a number of criteria in our review process for the four place-based goal areas. Applicants increase chance of success by considering these examples:
Deliberate program structure, design & delivery
Intensity of contact during programming and over time
Intentional focus on range of youth employment skill building, exploration of careers and searching for a job
Foster youth's physical and emotional well being
Build connections & relationships between youth and adults
Program provides voice and choice
Youth actively involved in decision making
Youth leadership opportunities evident
Support for reflection
Serves neighborhood people
Residents are engaged and express a desire or need for the project
High impact
Timeliness
Stewardship component
Potential to catalyze other work
Priorities, strategies and assessments are data-driven
A plan and the capacity to measure progress towards community and individual change
High impact
Timeliness
Potential to catalyze other work
Partnerships to accomplish goals and outcomes are valued
The McNeely Foundation has been giving grants in the areas of neighborhood development, youth development, the arts, education, and the environment since the 1960s.
