The City's Partnership Engagement Fund supports small-scale, meaningful projects to make Minneapolis communities more socially connected, healthy and safe.
If you did not apply for funding, you can be part of the team that reviews Partnership Engagement Fund applications this March.
Community reviewers help read and score applications.
Sign up to be a community reviewer by March 3.
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 The Urban Scholars application for internships this summer is open. This program invites college students and graduate students who want to work in the public sector to apply.
These paid internships match interns based on:
- Career goals.
- Skills.
- Experience.
- Academic work.
- Interests.
The Urban Scholars program pursues equity. It works toward an equitable workforce with leadership that reflects our community. Its goals are to provide:
- Leadership and professional development training.
- High-quality, resume-building work experience.
- Guidance and opportunities to grow a meaningful professional network.
Read more, hear about the experience from program alumni, and apply by March 4 on the City website.
 The City of Minneapolis is grateful to the over 1,100 people who came together to make the 2024 Community Connections Conference a success.
Thank you to the 195 groups that featured their work in the exhibit hall, the performers who welcomed everyone to the space, the outstanding lunch vendors, everyone who volunteered and everyone who led the informative, enriching breakout sessions. A special shout-out to everyone who participated in our community dialogue on being a safe, healthy and child friendly city.
We thank our community partners Oromia 11, the Minneapolis American Indian Center, Trellis, the Lake Street Latino Business Association, the Disability Law Center and the Lao Assistance Center; and conference partners CenterPoint Energy, Metro Transit, Medica and Xcel Energy.
If you would like to be notified about future opportunities to get involved, leave us your contact information through our online form.
Get involved in next year’s Community Connections Conference.
Neighborhood Revitalization Program (NRP) Policy Board election results
During the Community Connections Conference on Feb. 17, the City hosted the new Neighborhood Revitalization Program (NRP) Policy Board selection process. The NRP Policy Board oversees the Neighborhood Revitalization Program and approves NRP funding plan changes for neighborhood organizations called plan modifications.
The board has representatives from:
- The mayor
- City Council president
- Park and Recreation Board
- Board of Education
- Hennepin County Board of Commissioners
- State House of Representatives
- State Senate
- Minneapolis neighborhood residents
Minneapolis neighborhood electors selected eight people for the board according to their district. See NRP Policy Board districts.
- District 1: Joy Smallfield
- District 2: Nate Lockett
- District 3: Ron Schlatter
- District 4: Noah Cameron
- District 5: Kate Gens
- District 6: Becky McIntosh
- At-large: Pamela Taylor-Berry and Mary Watson
The first meeting of the NRP Policy Board is tentatively scheduled for the last week of March. Find meeting schedules and agendas in the City’s LIMS database.
The Office of Immigrant & Refugee Affairs is hosting community office hours. Office hours provide basic information about immigration legal services, shelter resources, health care and more.
Office hours
Stop by South Minneapolis CareerForce, 777 E. Lake St., at one of the following times:
- Wednesday, March 6, 2-4 p.m.
- Wednesday, March 13, 2-4 p.m.
- Wednesday, March 20, 2-4 p.m.
- Wednesday, April 3, 2-4 p.m.
Learn more on the City website, email Michelle Rivero, or call 612-394-6018.
Twin Cities monthly immigration forum meets Thursday, March 14
The City of Minneapolis Office of Immigrant and Refugee Affairs (OIRA) in partnership with the City of Saint Paul Immigrant and Refugee Program hosts a monthly immigration forum to offer immigration-related updates to the community. The next meeting of this series will be on Thursday, March 14.
Twin Cities monthly immigration forum
Thurs., March 14, 4:30 - 6 p.m.
Join online over Microsoft Teams
Or call in (audio only) at +1 612-276-6670 with meeting ID 365504388#
The topics covered include:
- Federal immigration news and resources.
- City, community and advocacy organization updates.
- Other topics important to immigrant, refugee and new American communities.
Watch previous forums on the City's YouTube channel.
Find dates and links to join the meetings on the OIRA events calendar. Learn more about the Office of Immigrant and Refugee Affairs (OIRA) at minneapolismn.gov/ncr/oira or contact the office directly at oira@minneapolismn.gov.
OIRA Director Michelle Rivero and immigration attorneys recognized for support of Driver's License for All
OIRA Director Michelle Rivero was recently named one of the 2023 Minnesota Attorneys of the Year by Minnesota Lawyer. Director Rivero was included in a group of immigration attorneys recognized for work to support passage of Driver's License for All, a law enabling Minnesotans to obtain a driver's license, instruction permit, or identification card, regardless of immigration status. This historic and transformative law is the result of 20 years of dedicated community effort and leadership. It took effect on October 1, 2023.
The complete list of attorneys recognized in this group also includes Julia Decker, Marissa Hill-Dongre and Veena Iyer of Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota; Linus Chan of the University of Minnesota Law School; Susana De Leon of De Leon & Nestor; Michele Garnett McKenzie of The Advocates of Human Rights; Edmundo Lijo of City of St. Paul; Ana Pottratz Acosta of Mitchell Hamline School of Law and Virgil Wiebe of the University of St. Thomas Law School.
Radio and TV show schedule
The City of Minneapolis shares important news and updates in English, Spanish, Somali, Oromo and Hmong over community radio stations and two television programs.
You can see the upcoming schedule for these shows and find past recordings on the City website.
 The City of Minneapolis will update community members March 7 on new concepts for the New Nicollet Redevelopment Project. The concepts address the road and the public spaces. A once-in-a-generation opportunity, this project can help reshape the site for a better quality of life in the area.
The City plans to reconnect Nicollet Avenue between Lake Street and Cecil Newman Lane. We’ll work in partnership to develop the rest of the site into a walkable area with housing and retail. In November 2023, the City demolished the former Kmart building; the building had blocked Nicollet Avenue.
Based on community input, City policies and project goals, the project team selected concepts for the site. City staff will first present the recommended selections to the community. The recommendations will go to the City Council and Mayor Jacob Frey this spring.
New Nicollet Redevelopment Project Open House
5-7 p.m. Thursday, March 7
Abyssinia Cultural Center, 322 W. Lake St.
The open house will be a fun, family-friendly event to see the design concepts and talk with staff.
Community engagement on the development is expected to start in summer 2024.
Learn more about the New Nicollet Redevelopment Project and how to stay up to date on the project.
Minneapolis International Festival
The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board’s International Festival celebrates the different cultures in the City of Minneapolis and surrounding communities. Join in to celebrate with music, dance, art, cultural learning booths, exhibits and demonstrations. At this free event, learn about many amazing cultures that help make Minneapolis such a wonderful place to live.
Minneapolis International Festival
1-5 p.m. Saturday, March 9
Central Park Gym
Watch for updates and more details on the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board’s website.
We’re looking for community organizations to join the Minneapolis Tap Water Ambassador Program. If selected, you’ll receive training and up to $15,000 to help educate your community about the safety and quality of drinking our city’s tap water.
Drinking tap water has several health, environmental, and financial benefits. Let’s encourage people to drink more tap water instead of buying bottled water or sugary drinks.
How to apply
Applications are due by Monday, March 18 at 2 p.m.
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Opioid Response Team community survey
 The City of Minneapolis has received approximately $18M in settlement funds to address the opioid epidemic in our city.
Opioids include pain relievers, heroin, and fentanyl. Misuse of opioids can lead to addiction, overdoses, and even death. Minneapolis is about 7% of the state’s population, but it accounts for 22% of all opioid-related deaths.
We’d like your feedback on how to best support our community. Take our quick 15-minute survey to share your thoughts on:
- Unmet needs
- Barriers to get services
- How you would like us to use the money
Take the survey
Weigh in on the future of trains in Minnesota
The Minnesota Department of Transportation would like to hear from you. It’s asking Minnesota residents for feedback on public investment in transportation. Minnesotans can provide feedback by:
- Taking the five-minute survey about freight or passenger rail in Minnesota.
- Using the interactive map to give feedback on specific rail crossings, stations and locations.
- Attending an upcoming meeting or pop-up event.
Learn more about the Minnesota State Rail Plan update.
 The City of Minneapolis is seeking applications for parklets and street cafés for the 2024 season. These programs activate community corridors with fun public spaces that make neighborhoods more vibrant and support local businesses.
If you are interested in creating unique public gathering spaces in your neighborhood, now is the time to apply. Read more and share this article online.
Apply to host a GreenCorps member by March 13
The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) is accepting applications from organizations interested in hosting a Minnesota GreenCorps member for the 2024-2025 program year until 5 p.m. on Wednesday, March 13, 2024.
Minnesota GreenCorps is an AmeriCorps program that places members with organizations throughout Minnesota to spend a year of service addressing critical environmental issues while gaining experience and learning valuable job skills. Host sites don't pay a fee to participate in the program. Read more and apply on the Minnesota GreenCorps website.
 The presidential primary election is next Tuesday, March 5, but you can vote now at the Early Vote Center at 980 E. Hennepin Ave.
If you have a mail-in ballot that you have not mailed as of Feb. 27, the City recommends returning your ballot in person to avoid a late delivery. These can also be dropped off at the Early Vote Center during business hours.
- On Friday, March 1, the center is open 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Weekend hours are 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- Hours Monday, March 4 are 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The center’s last day of service is Monday, March 4, which is the day before the presidential primary election. Elections offices are open until 8 p.m. on Election Day, Tuesday, March 5, but only for dropping off mail ballots. To vote in person on Election Day, go to your polling place.
For information about registering and voting in Minneapolis, go to the City website.
City looks to open community safety center pilot on East Lake Street
A community safety center pilot is expected to open late this summer on East Lake Street. Commissioner of Community Safety Toddrick Barnette and Office of Community Safety Director of Design and Implementation Amanda Harrington recently presented an update to the City Council on the project. The center will allow neighborhood residents to have space in the neighborhood where they can access a select number of services and resources until the South Minneapolis Community Safety Center opens in 2025. Read more and share this article online.
Minneapolis property owners can now enter a lottery any time through March 31 to buy a $30 tree for their Minneapolis property. The City will offer 3- to 8-foot shade and evergreen trees. Since 2006, the City of Minneapolis has funded the City Trees program, a low-cost way for folks to help the city’s tree canopy grow and enjoy all the benefits of trees.
One entry is allowed per Minneapolis address. To register for the lottery, see what kinds of trees will be offered and get more information on the program, visit mpls-tree-sale.myshopify.com.
Read and share the full article online.
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