• Organizations and leaders advancing racial justice are under intense pressure from legal, political, and narrative attacks aiming to drive despair and diminish resources for programs that uplift Black communities and communities of color. But in the face of these challenges, The Collective calls on philanthropy, business - along with all who hold the power and will to act - to double down, not back down.

    Lulete Mola, President and Co-Founder of the Black Collective Foundation MN

WHAT IS MN LEAD

MN LEAD (Legal Education, Advocacy, and Defense for Racial Justice) is a statewide initiative of the Black Collective Foundation MN, focused on strengthening our racial justice ecosystem through building resilience. We aim to combat fear and ensure that race-conscious programming endures in the face of legal and political challenges.

MN LEAD is part of a national movement inspired by the Black Freedom Fund’s LEAD for Racial Justice Initiative in California, with similar efforts growing in Washington, and Oregon. Together, we work to protect and amplify racial justice movements nationwide. 

What does mn lead do

MN LEAD equips racial justice organizations with legal resources, in-person and virtual training, and strategic grantmaking  to navigate shifting conditions. We focus on providing nonprofits and foundations the tools and support they need to stay grounded in their commitment to racial equity, even as external pressures increase.

FIRST YEAR HIGHLIGHTS

Trained

Trained nearly 200 nonprofit and philanthropic leaders on race-conscious programming and legal risk

SHARED

Shared a risk assessment tool to help organizations identify legal vulnerabilities

HOSTED

Hosted virtual calls with 150+ participants to deepen analysis and build community

MOBILIZED

Mobilized Minnesota’s legal community in defense of racial justice

Why MN LEAD?

MN LEAD fills a critical gap by providing accessible legal information on complex topics to community-based organizations and creating spaces for connection and peer learning. As threats to race-conscious work grow, we bring funders and nonprofits together to align resources, share knowledge, and strengthen the ecosystem—ensuring that recent gains in racial justice work are not lost.

News & Resources

GENERAL RESOURCES

The Racial Equity Advancement and Defense Initiative (READI)

A collaborative effort led by ABFE, in partnership with Asian Americans/Pacific Islanders in Philanthropy, Hispanics in Philanthropy, and Native Americans in Philanthropy

Advancing DEI: The Meltzer Institute:

The Advancing DEI Initiative is a project of the Meltzer Center for Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging, committed to making information on the intersection of law and DEI accessible to supporters of DEI.

RESOURCES FOR LEGAL SUPPORT

FAQ: Racial Equity Legal Guidance

(Othering and Belonging Institute)

Nonprofit Legal Services Initiative

Free legal support for Minnesota nonprofits navigating compliance, governance, and emerging legal threats. Services include a real-time help desk, legal clinics, 1:1 support, and access to tools and referrals. Offered through a partnership between the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits and LegalCORPS.

Join Us Today

Thanks to your support and partnership, we’ve begun to build something rare: a cross-sector, multiracial, values-driven effort to protect and sustain race-conscious programming. Together, we are making it possible for nonprofits and funders to act with greater clarity, confidence, and solidarity.

If you are a funder, donor, or community organization interested in participating in MN LEAD, please complete the following form. We appreciate your interest and look forward to collaborating with you!

THANK YOU TO MN LEAD INITIATIVE ANCHOR FUNDERS

Margaret A. Cargill Foundation Fund of the Minneapolis Foundation