LISC Twin Cities

12/16/2024

LISC Twin Cities is so happy to share a new report from Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) Community Research and Impact: "We take care of each other": The power and promise of TLGBQIA+-owned spaces.

TLGBQIA+ communities have long creatively claimed space to find supportive community, provide essential resources like housing, food, and healthcare, and build power to fight for liberation. Yet more than 50 years after the movement for q***r and trans liberation began, TLGBQIA+ ownership of space is still relatively rare, particularly for organizations led by TGNC people of color. A brief increase in funding in the wake of 2020 racial justice uprisings and pandemic relief enabled some TLGBQIA+ organizations throughout the country to realize decades-long dreams of community ownership and purchase their first buildings, an important step toward a future in which all communities can live with dignity and safety. But a drop-off in funding since 2020 threatens organizations’ ability to sustain and grow this work at a time when it is urgently needed.

Our new report, supported by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, explores TLGBQIA+ community ownership as a strategy for building community and economic power, and the financing and organizing resources needed to expand this work. We explore the wealth, asset, and capital disparities for TLGBQIA+ people and organizations; lessons from established and emerging organizations, including how longstanding practices of mutual aid and community care inform TLGBQIA+ community ownership efforts; and short- and long-term grant, capital, and capacity-building needs and opportunities.

Please share, and keep an eye out for an upcoming flash webinar with CRI on this topic!

This report from the LISC Community Research and Impact team explores LGBTQIA+ capital access, community ownership as a strategy for building q***r and trans community and economic power, and the financing and organizing resources needed to expand this work.

12/12/2024

"The unrestricted funding that LISC provides to our community partners is undeniably crucial for advancing their missions. But investing time and resources in organizational capacity building is equally important. Striking the right balance ensures that our partners have not only the financial resources but also the tools and support they need to achieve their goals."

As capacity builders, we hope to help strengthen grassroots organizations so they can effectively—and independently—drive progress in their communities. To do that, argues LISC senior program officer Tatia Ash, we must not only guide but also listen deeply, show respect, and share power.

12/09/2024

Please join us for the final “Bricks without Mortar” conversation of 2024, where we will be joined by friends from 825 Arts (Victoria Theater) for an AMA/Ask Me Anything.

Dantes Ha, Board Chair (he/him/his) and Sarah Snapp, Treasurer (she/her/hers) will join us to talk about the recently re-opened historic theater, the long road to re-opening, and the work ahead of them.

LISC TC staff will also share some of what’s in the works for 2025, as we map out the road for next steps.

The registration link can be found here: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZcpc-GuqD0vHNCflTcCFXKJx3mXdVcE3Y0d #/registration

See you online!

- LISC Twin Cities, w/ Propel Nonprofits, Springboard for the Arts.

12/02/2024

Good morning!

Lake Street Lift is ready to receive applications for activation projects along the corridor!

Lake Street Lift’s goal is to directly support the hyper-local economy, businesses and artists on Lake Street, and to remind Minneapolis that Lake Street is the most vibrant corridor in the City.

We will target five main areas:
- Activation and beautification of underutilized spaces
- Installations of new murals and public art
- Hosting, sponsorship, and promoting community events and festivals
- Marketing campaigns to promote the corridor to visitors
- Addressing community safety through graffiti mitigation, lighting, and outreach teams.

Arts & Places — Lake Street Lift: https://www.lakestreetlift.org/arts-and-places

The first round of applications are due December 20th. Please check this out and feel free to pass along!

Community Activation, Beautification, and Safety Activations in the corridor Arts & Places Community activation, beautification, and safety. The Graves Foundation is committed to leveraging Lake Street Lift to make Lake Street the arts and events epicenter of Minneapolis this year. With our partner...

11/27/2024

Any of our friends and partners in search of space?

Saint Paul Ballet, CAAM Chinese Dance Theater, Young Dance, and Smiling Drum have come together to partner and build a one-of-a-kind creative and performing arts venue inside Fairview Business Center. The space includes long-term lease opportunities for rehearsal/practice space, studios, creative office, etc. The partnership is seeking partners to make this vision a reality.

The possibilities are endless but potential partners could include: performing and visual arts, photography, marketing, PR or advertising interested in creative co-working spaces, nonprofit, charter schools, art gallery, tech/web, event planners, yoga, bodyworkers, art therapists, pop-up coffee shops, etc.

More about the building:
- High traffic on evenings and weekends
- All ages, lots of children, educational
- Open to the community

Location - 641-655 Fairview Ave N, St Paul, MN, 55104
Email - Erin Heelan, [email protected]

Smiling Drums photo to feed the algorithm. :)

11/27/2024

Love this write-up on Sumair Sheikh, our partner at Duluth LISC (Local Initiatives Support Corporation).

“I really like the idea of people having access to the resources they need when they need them. That’s my simple definition of equitable access.”

Read the full write-up here:

Sumair Sheikh is a community organizer, fierce leader for change, and the Executive Director of LISC Duluth

11/25/2024

December 2nd, please join us for the third in a series of conversations: Laying Brick Without Mortar.

Many of the local cultural and creative cornerstones in our community employ artists - as users of space, contractors, or part of their core staff teams. What happens when those organizations are struggling, the building is in need of support, and the people holding it together are also under-employed or in need of resources? What support is available for individual artists and freelancers?

We are incredibly fortunate to have a network of amazing artist support organizations in Minnesota, including Springboard for the Arts. Join us on Monday December 2nd at noon for an AMA (Ask me Anything) with Springboard's Wone Vang, Economic Opportunity Director and Andy Sturdevant, Artist Resource Manager.

Springboard for the Arts

11/23/2024

Did you know - LISC Twin Cities hosts an annual network for folks from Cultural and Creative Districts to share knowledge and information, building a pool of local experts and staff seasoned in supporting cultural and creative districts? And - all the sessions are FREE!

The 2024 learning network features dozen sessions about placemaking, district planning, budgeting, fundraising, public art & more - with amazing folks joining in from all across the states, from the National Endowment for the Arts to the Minnesota Citizens for the Arts, Olympia Artspace Alliance to Art on the Ave NYC.

For more information about all of the sessions and registration, check out the list here!

https://www.lisc.org/twin-cities/our-work/neighborhood-vitality/creative-placemaking/cultural-districts-learning-network/?edit_off=true

11/20/2024

Our friends at CLUES - Comunidades Latinas Unidas En Servicio are hosting a Digital Skills class on November 25! This is open to all skill levels; CLUES will have workshops and lessons to help you advance your tech skills.

2nd Session starts soon!
November 25 - December 11
12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.

FOR QUESTIONS &
REGISTRATION CONTACT:

Luis Michel: 651-379-4227
[email protected]

11/15/2024

We're excited to announce the job description for LISC Twin Cities Executive Director is now live! The full position guide can be found here:https://www.campbellcompany.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/LISC-ED-Twin-Cities-Position-Guide-11.15.2024.pdf

Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) has retained Campbell & Company to conduct the search, with this position to be located in the Twin Cities as part of the local team. The salary range is $165,000 - $190,000. Check out the pdf to find out more about the role, our programmatic work in the Twin Cities, and National LISC. Role-related questions can be directed to the team at Campbell & Company. Please send your best, brightest, and most collaborative!

(illustration by Magdelena Mora)

11/14/2024

MacKenzie Scott and her organization, Yield Giving, are setting a new LISC record! Scott has generously gifted our $65 million in unrestricted funding, which will enable LISC and our local partners to be more innovative, creative, and sustainable in our community work + impact nationwide. Learn more: https://www.lisc.org/our-stories/story/mackenzie-scott-donates-65-million-lisc/

This contribution builds on a $40 million gift from Scott in 2020, which LISC used to seed programs that narrow gaps in health, wealth and opportunity, particularly for communities of color. We are grateful for the continued partnership!