Responding to ICE Surge, Black Collective Foundation MN Distributes Nearly Quarter Million to 22 Minnesota Organizations 

Emergency funding brings the Foundation’s total investment to almost half a million to strengthen racial justice organizations statewide

April 15, 2026

MINNEAPOLIS, MN — The Black Collective Foundation MN has rapidly distributed $215,000 to 22 organizations serving multiracial communities that are facing urgent legal and community stabilization needs resulting from Operation Metro Surge, the largest Department of Homeland Security operation to date. These grants bring the Foundation’s total investment in strengthening Minnesota’s racial equity ecosystem amid the current political climate to almost $500,000, following the last round of $250,000 in grantmaking in December of 2025. 

The grants are one part of a broader mobilization from the Foundation to meet this moment. Alongside grantmaking, the Foundation has convened statewide and national briefings, led in the state's leading responsive coalitions, advanced public narrative and education efforts, and built collaborative infrastructure to strengthen coordinated response, recovery, and long-term ecosystem resilience across the Twin Cities Metro, Greater Minnesota, and statewide communities.

Distributed through the MN LEAD (Minnesota Legal Education, Advocacy, and Defense for Racial Justice) Initiative, the rapid response grants were awarded within a six-week period to support organizations navigating urgent legal threats, operational strain, and increased community need. Grant awards ranged from $5,000-$25,000 and were distributed to organizations serving multiracial communities across the Twin Cities Metro, Greater Minnesota, and statewide.

The funding prioritized three critical areas: 1) legal defense, 2) crisis response resources to stabilize communities impacted by enforcement activity, and 3) core organizational capacity to help frontline groups sustain operations under rapidly shifting legal and political conditions.

“This moment symbolizes the power of the Black Collective Foundation of Minnesota to support all Minnesotans. At a time when communities are facing heightened surveillance, legal vulnerability, and fear, it is essential that organizations on the frontlines have the resources to respond swiftly and sustainably,” said Lulete Mola, President and Co-founder of the Black Collective Foundation MN. “This fund reflects our commitment to ensuring that those doing critical, community-centered work are not left to navigate these challenges alone. It also underscores our belief that culturally grounded strategies strengthen outcomes for all Minnesotans.”

These investments enabled nonprofits, small businesses, and community organizations to rapidly adapt their operations, strengthen internal infrastructure, and expand trauma-informed support for community members directly impacted by enforcement actions. 

“This funding means we now have the resources to build the legal protections and digital security our immigrant families need to trust us again. This isn't just about the Immigrant Development Center surviving, it's about ensuring that 21 years of community building doesn't disappear because we couldn't protect the people brave enough to walk through our doors,” said grantee partner Fowzia Adde, Executive Director of the Immigrant Development Center, a Moorhead-based organization that supports East and West African immigrant communities. “This grant gives us the tools to tell our entrepreneurs: your information is safe, your dreams matter, and we're not going anywhere.”

The following organizations received funding as part of this initiative:

  • African Career Education & Resources Inc.

  • Art is My Weapon

  • Ayada Leads

  • Black Community Board

  • Black LGBTQ+ Migrant Project (BLMP)

  • Blackbird Revolt, LLC

  • Center for Broadcast Journalism

  • Centro Tyrone Guzman

  • East African Dream

  • Greater Minnesota Worker Center

  • Groundwork Network

  • Hayat Wellness Center

  • Immigrant Development Center

  • McKinley Community Center

  • Minnesota Indian Women's Resource Center

  • Mixed Blood Theatre

  • Prosperity for New America

  • Reviving Roots Therapy & Wellness

  • Reviving Sisterhood

  • Roots Wellness Center

  • Transforming Generations

  • 6th Woodrunners OSG

About MN LEAD

MN LEAD (Minnesota Legal Education, Advocacy, and Defense for Racial Justice), an initiative of the Black Collective Foundation MN, is a five-year, multiracial, statewide effort to provide critical infrastructure for legal education, operational training, and field-building resources to racial justice organizations.

About The Black Collective Foundation MN

The Black Collective Foundation MN is Minnesota’s first Black community foundation, investing in organizations and leaders to advance a more just Minnesota where Black people and all people live with dignity, power, and prosperity.

MEDIA CONTACT

Ruby Oluoch
612-293-7787
ruby@mnblackcf.org
mnblackcf.org