The donor cites a desire to honor the importance of AFC’s work in North Minneapolis, has long admired the vision and mission of staff and leadership
Appetite For Change, a nonprofit, social enterprise established with the mission to build health, wealth, and social change in North Minneapolis, has received the largest single donation in its 11-year history. The donor has chosen to remain anonymous, but indicated they have long admired the organization for the positive impact it has created within its community. They further expressed how they hoped to honor AFC’s hard work, mission-driven focus, and the dedication of their staff and volunteers with a donation that would help propel them into the future.
“This incredible gift is a dream come true for our whole organization,” says Tasha Powell, co-founder and President of Appetite For Change. “We have the freedom to dream big, and to expand on the programs we have in place that are now a part of the landscape of Northside neighborhoods.” She adds, “We have spent the last year really focusing on building infrastructure throughout the organization so the timing is perfect. This gift will move us to an even greater level of making the positive social change that is the reason we do what we do.”
In 2019, Appetite For Change conducted a focused Capacity Campaign and received crucial funding from the Cargill Foundation, Phillips Family Foundation, Otto Bremer Trust, Pohlad Family Foundation and the Northwest Area Foundation. Each of these partners and funders made significant commitments that positioned the organization to respond swiftly to the increased needs of their community during the first months of the global pandemic and the Minneapolis Uprising. The philanthropic support from the capacity campaign funders helped AFC gain stability as an organization and was a bellwether to a flood of philanthropic and public support in 2020 and 2021, allowing the nonprofit momentum to operate with increased impact.
“Grants and campaigns are building blocks that get the foundation in place to receive transformative donations like this $1.5 million we just received,” says Stephanie Malone, Vice President of Advancement at AFC. “We have the systems and strategies in place to make the most of these funds, and steward them thoughtfully and responsibly. Every level of funding and donations help us build out the future and shape of our programs,” Malone reports.
Programs operated by Appetite For Change include:
- West Broadway Farmers Market
- An outdoor market featuring neighborhood and BIPOC growers and makers, runs from June through October.
- Urban Agriculture
- AFC operates multiple garden sites in North Minneapolis and one of only two urban deep winter greenhouses growing thousands of pounds of chemical-free produce for the community.
- Community Cooks
- Weekly workshops for North Minneapolis residents that offer cooking classes and conversation around nutrition and social justice issues that impact our neighborhoods.
- Community Cooks Meal Boxes
- A project piloted during the pandemic and sustained through philanthropic support, Community Cooks Meal Boxes program delivers a dignified food experience to 400 households weekly and provides a solution to food inequities. Through a collaborative effort with partners from across multiple sectors, the program provides fresh and local produce + proteins; recipe cards, educational information and ongoing cooking and culinary support that guides families through meal preparations and food skill development.
- AFC Meals
- Fresh, restaurant quality and culturally familiar meals prepared and delivered by our staff and dedicated community partner organizations throughout the Twin Cities. AFC Meals is a proud partner of the Minnesota Central Kitchen community in partnership with Second Harvest Heartland.
- Breaking Bread Cafe & Catering
- A neighborhood restaurant on West Broadway Avenue that serves scratch-cooked, locally sourced food that celebrates the culinary legacy of Black Americans. Breaking Bread is an important part of AFC’s social enterprise and is an important community gathering place.
- Station 81 Drink and Eatery
- A restaurant in St. Paul’s historic Union Depot that serves a wide assortment of cocktails and other beverage offerings to accompany house-made appetizers, sandwiches, salads and soups along with burgers and sandwiches. In addition to providing jobs and training to community members, the proceeds from Station 81 go to support AFC’s programming.
- YTOP (Youth Training and Opportunities)
- Training programs and employment opportunities for teens and adults. Participants gain leadership skills, agricultural and culinary skills, advocacy & organizing experience, and job readiness in a space that provides the resources for them to become agents of change in North Minneapolis.
- Northside Fresh Coalition & Metro Food Justice Network
- AFC is weaving hyper local Northside partnerships and a Twin Cities Metro wide network of community members, organizations, and businesses working together for food justice. Uses the food system to create change in our community and beyond by forging relationships, sharing resources, and advocating for policy change.
“We are beyond grateful for the trust and incredible generosity of this donor, and the affirmation that AFC’s work is valued and appreciated, and that the organization has earned this kind of investment. AFC’s board of directors are excited and have already begun planning meetings with staff leadership to ensure that AFC makes the most of this truly transformative gift,” Appetite For Change Co-Chairs, Darlynn Benjamin and Lee Friedman.
