Affinity Plus Foundation Announces first $90K in 2022 Community Grants

ST. PAUL, Minn. (June 23, 2022) – The Affinity Plus Foundation, a 501(c)(3) established by Affinity Plus Federal Credit Union dedicated to enriching lives and communities, announced the first of its 2022 community grant recipients. Six Minnesota nonprofit organizations will each receive $15,000 grants to further their efforts to make a positive impact in communities across the state. 

“Through these grants, Affinity Plus aims to advance the missions of those organizations that already work tirelessly to do good in their communities and give them added financial support to further their efforts or springboard new initiatives,” said Adam Layne, Senior Community Engagement Specialist at Affinity Plus. “We are excited to announce our latest community grant recipients whose work aligns with our mission to build a better future for all Minnesotans.”

The first wave of 2022 community grant recipients are as follows:

• The Show (St. Paul): The nonprofit, dedicated to creating accessibility in the arts and promoting and uniting artists of all abilities, will use its funding to support two of The Show’s exhibitions, showcasing their work at St. Paul Saints games and the St. Paul Farmers Market. They will also upgrade the nonprofit’s website to create online sales for their artists.
• The Du Nord Foundation (Minneapolis): The community-driven organization will use the grant to support its Community Market—a barrier-free food shelf that engages the community in healthy eating by providing fresh fruit and vegetables at no charge.
• Foundation for Essential Needs (Minneapolis): Funding will aid the organization’s food shelf engagement program that works with food banks to increase community impact and improve organizational health.
• Cars for Neighbors (Blaine): The vehicle repair program will use the funding to further its efforts to inspect and fund critical safety repairs for low-income residents of Anoka County where public transit options are limited.
• Jefferson Elementary Parent Teacher Association (Rochester): As the home to the Autism Spectrum Disorder Program for Rochester Public Schools, Jefferson Elementary School seeks to build a new and inclusive playground. 
• Lakes & Prairies Community Action Partnership, Inc. (Moorhead): The grant will support the nonprofit’s Career Connect Program, which connects low-income workers with training for high demand careers like nursing, mechanics, etc. 

Since its founding in 2000, the Affinity Plus Foundation has donated more than $1 million to Minnesota communities and continues to seek ways to boost its grant program in response to current challenges facing communities. In 2022, individual grant amounts have been increased to $15,000, up from $1,000 to $3,000 in previous years, to help organizations achieve more meaningful outcomes. The foundation also recently launched an opt-in, member-supported initiative called Friends of the Foundation to expand giving with small, recurring donations from member checking accounts.

The Affinity Plus Foundation community grants are awarded to nonprofits with programs that build more inclusive communities, create pathways to careers and college, provide basic needs or support entrepreneurs. The 2022 application period is open through Oct. 31, 2022 with additional recipients to be announced later this summer.

Become a Friend of the Foundation
Launched this year, Affinity Plus members can become a Friend of the Foundation to join forces with other members and play a role in funding community grants and scholarships that will make a difference in their own backyard. It’s the only program of its kind in the country, where members opt in to choose an amount they’d like to donate each month to be part of a larger, collective community giving initiative.

For as little as $1 per month, members make recurring, monthly contributions that are combined with support from other members before being donated back into the areas where they live and work.

“At Affinity Plus, we are passionate about giving back and know it is important to our members as well,” added Layne. “Friends of the Foundation demonstrates how even small donations can add up to a big impact and with the help of our members we hope to give even more grants to help our communities thrive.”