 The City's Partnership Engagement Fund is now open for applications. Community organizations, groups and individuals can apply for funding for small-scale, meaningful projects to make Minneapolis communities more socially connected, healthy and safe.
To start the process, send in your short interest form by Feb. 19 and the full application due March 3.
Applicants will need to work with one of the City’s 68 neighborhood organizations for their project engaging underrepresented residents in Minneapolis.
Previous community projects have included youth mentorships, public events, garden infrastructure, civic leadership development, entrepreneurship training, addressing health disparities, employment support, youth peace building, corridor development, resource support for unsheltered neighbors, community building, youth media and storytelling, arts programming and placemaking.
Learn more on the City website.
Online information session
You can watch a recorded webinar about how to apply on the Partnership Engagement Fund City webpage.
Community reviewers needed
If you are not applying for funding, you can be part of the team that reviews Partnership Engagement Fund applications.
Sign up to be a community reviewer.
If you have any questions or need accommodations to participate, email PartnershipFund@minneapolismn.gov or text (612) 321-8649.
 The City of Minneapolis is grateful to the over 1,300 people who came together to make the 2025 Community Connections Conference a success.
We thank the over 250 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 afternoon community conversations on health and food systems.
We thank our community partners Youth Legacy, the Minneapolis American Indian Center, The Arc Minnesota, Minnesota Immigrant Movement, and the Lao Assistance Center; and conference partners Whittier Alliance, Speak MPLS, 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.
A welcoming city: Resources for immigrants
Minneapolis is a welcoming city, one that fosters inclusivity, respect and safety for all, regardless of immigration status. We work to connect our neighbors and residents with services and opportunities so that everyone – including those born outside of the United States – feels a sense of belonging and can achieve their highest potential. This is and will remain our goal and commitment.
The City does not participate in immigration enforcement. There are many important distinctions between local and federal government. The City stands with and in support of its residents, including those born outside the U.S.
The City of Minneapolis has an ordinance that states it will not operate programs for the purpose of enforcing federal immigration laws.
Below are links for residents to be aware of their rights and responsibilities:
In the City of Minneapolis, we know that many are impacted by immigration developments and many are committed to welcoming and fostering a sense of belonging for residents born outside of the United States. Working together has never been more important than now.
Please visit the City’s Office of Immigrant & Refugee Affairs webpage to learn more.
NCR bids a fond farewell to Language Services Program Coordinator, Pa Dao Yang. Pa Dao joined NCR from the City of Bloomington in November 2023. As coordinator, she trained City employees about language services, conducted a 10-year assessment of the City’s language access work and supported residents with translation and interpretation needs. NCR thanks Pa Dao for her service at the City of Minneapolis and wishes her well in her future endeavors.
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 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 is seeking qualified applicants to serve on the Community Commission on Police Oversight. The independent body allows the public a forum to have meaningful engagement in police oversight and review. Members of the commission serve on the Police Conduct Review Panel as civilian panelists making recommendations about whether MPD policies and procedures have been violated and making recommendations about discipline.
Applications are open now for three current vacancies plus eight seats that will open in May. Applications are due by March 16.
Read more on the City website.
Watch the video.
Apply by Feb. 28 for Healthy Worksites Microgrants
The Minneapolis Health Department is excited to announce a new opportunity for worksite wellness funding. The Healthy Worksites Microgrants Program offers financial support and technical assistance to small businesses in Minneapolis, aimed at enhancing employee physical and mental health through wellness initiatives.
Through the mspWellness Microgrant Program, organizations can receive up to $2,500 to implement projects that promote:
- Healthy eating
- Physical activity
- Breastfeeding support
- Mental wellbeing
This funding is made possible through the Minnesota Department of Health's Statewide Health Improvement Partnership grant (SHIP). Applications are currently open and will be accepted until Feb. 28.
Find out more and submit your application today.
 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 17 on the City website.
 Minneapolis property owners can now enter the City Trees lottery through March 14. Each property is eligible for up to three trees for $30 each. More than 15 varieties of shade and evergreen trees are available, and the trees are 3 feet to 7 feet tall.
If you’re successful in the lottery, you’ll get an email to order your trees March 17-31 and pick them up May 30-June 1.
Benefits of trees
Planting trees can:
- Save you money on utility bills.
- Shade and cool your property.
- Collect stormwater runoff.
- Provide habitat for wildlife.
- Improve our health and well-being.
- Increase property values.
Meet some people picking up their trees last year in this video.
Enter the lottery by March 14.
 Join us Feb. 25 at the final open house for the New Nicollet Redevelopment. New Nicollet is a 10-acre parcel of land between the Midtown Greenway and Lake Street. It was home to Kmart for many years. The City is developing a plan to make it a walkable area that meets the needs of nearby neighborhoods. Community input is at the heart of that plan.
Community priorities
The New Nicollet team gathered community input in 2024. They did this through surveys, online meetings and in-person conversations. Residents, businesses and community members said what they hoped to see here. Top priorities include:
- Affordable housing with supportive services.
- Home ownership opportunities to prevent displacement and support wealth building.
- Well-connected public spaces for community connections and to promote public safety.
- A grocery store for access to healthy and affordable food.
The open house will showcase the ways extensive community input is shaping the project. Attendees can give feedback on the Development Framework and learn about next steps.
Final New Nicollet open house
5-7 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 25
Whittier International Elementary School, 315 W. 26th St.
Language interpretation will be available for Spanish and Somali. Free food and kids’ activities will be provided.
Find the Development Framework starting Feb. 25 on the New Nicollet Redevelopment webpage.
 The applicants for community partners to redevelop the Peoples’ Way site at George Floyd Square will give community presentations on their plans Feb. 26. Come hear their presentations and share your feedback. The City is looking for community input before advancing one of the groups to the mayor and City Council for approval.
Redeveloping the Peoples’ Way site for community use is a part of the City’s effort to work with community on a new vision for George Floyd Square. Years of feedback from community members has informed a shared vision for the area.
Four applicants responded to the City’s request for a community partner to redevelop the Peoples’ Way site at 3744 Chicago Ave.:
- Minnesota Agape Movement
- P3 Foundation (David’s Place)
- Rise & Remember
- Urban League Twin Cities
Peoples’ Way applicant presentations
5-8:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 26
Sabathani Community Center, 310 E. 38th St.
Food and refreshments will be provided.
If you cannot come to the applicant presentations, you can choose from several events to meet with staff. Read more on the City website.
Open Streets 2025 open for organizer proposals
Building on the tremendous success of the popular 2024 Open Streets program, the City of Minneapolis is now looking for four 2025 summer event organizers. New in 2025, the City is expanding the proposal process to allow organizers to select from several event dates and routes around the city.
Open Streets transforms major city streets into car-free places for one day. Open Streets shuts down car traffic during the event to allow people to walk, bike and roll down the street. Organizers plan programming and free activities for the day.
Since the City launched Open Streets in 2011, the events have brought nearly 700,000 people to different areas of town to enjoy all that the City of Minneapolis has to offer. In 2024, the City co-hosted three Open Streets events, partnering with the Uptown Association on Lyndale Avenue, with the West Broadway Business Coalition on West Broadway, and with the Lyndale Neighborhood Association on Nicollet Avenue.
Read more on the City website.
Grants for sewer repairs
The City is accepting grant applications to help pay for repairing failing private sewer pipes and connections to the public sewer. Homeowners can receive grants between $5,000 to $10,000 and may need a match to receive the funds. Funding will be awarded on a lottery-based system. This year’s funding is expected to provide grants to 32-38 property owners.
Apply by Feb. 24.
Find eligibility and more information on the City website.
City seeking partner to lease community space at Lake Street and Minnehaha Avenue
After months of community engagement, the City of Minneapolis is moving forward to redevelop the City-owned building at 3000 Minnehaha Ave. into a mixed-use democracy center. The center would house the City’s Elections & Voter Services and a large ground-floor space for community use. The City is now looking for a tenant to lease that part of the center.
Democracy center proposal
Throughout the summer, the City conducted open houses, conversations and surveys. The most residents favored the democracy center proposal and also showed interest in several uses for the community space, including:
- Social services
- Community-based cultural programs
- Business or commercial uses
Next steps
The City has requested proposals for a tenant who will program the community space. Proposals are due by March 14.
The City will proceed with design and renovation plans. The City intends to include the selected tenant in the planning, design and build-out of the community space.
To learn more, visit the City website.
 The City of Minneapolis is working to fight human trafficking and protect vulnerable people. January was Human Trafficking Awareness Month, and we encourage everyone to learn the signs and be aware.
Human trafficking thrives in silence, and survivors are often hiding in plain sight. Signs of trafficking include:
- Physical abuse or neglect.
- Missing school or work regularly.
- Telling inconsistent or rehearsed stories.
- Dating someone much older.
- A history of running away or being homeless.
- Sexually inappropriate pictures on social media.
- Unexplained gifts, new possessions or tattoos that represent ownership.
Read more about how we can all help on the City website.
Download the campaign materials to help spread the word.
Flu hospitalizations spike; get your flu shot today
It’s not too late in the season to get your flu shot. Minnesota is seeing its highest flu hospitalizations since the Minnesota Department of Health started tracking hospitalization data. Getting the flu vaccine can lower your chances of getting very sick and help protect others by keeping the virus from spreading.
Video
Minneapolis firefighter Mark DeLude knows this too well after losing his father to the flu. DeLude’s father, also a Minneapolis firefighter, was not vaccinated. Watch DeLude’s story: Fighting the Flu: Minneapolis Firefighter Saving Lives in Father’s Memory.
Protect yourself and your loved ones by getting the flu vaccine at a free flu clinic or with your health care provider.
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