Works with entrepreneurs to provide connections, framework and education to help them overcome challenges. - Collider Coworking: Offers collaborative space and conference rooms for members and guests. Guests can drop in for a day or week to use desk space, and rent small and large conference rooms. Members can have monthly access to use office space, desk space and access quiet rooms and conference rooms. Fiber internet access, drinks and snacks provided. - Ecosystem Navigator Program: Lowers barriers to entrepreneurship in Rochester. Provides entrepreneurs and prospective business owners with networks and frameworks to improve their chances of business success. Initial focus is the Latino, Black and female entrepreneurial communities in Rochester. 3 navigators meet 1:1 with entrepreneurs and people interested in learning more about starting a business in Rochester. Navigators work to understand the needs of these individuals and connect them to business resources. - Education: Provides an 8-week Basics of Entrepreneurship course which helps an entrepreneur start with an idea, validate it and find their first customers. Works regionally with universities and colleges as well as other entrepreneurial support organizations to connect individuals to educational opportunities.

Provides professional development training for educators, early childhood education providers, and human service workers. Helps participants improve cultural competencies and increases understanding about how to better serve children, families, and communities of African heritage. The purpose is to strengthen the connections between home, school, and community. Professional Development Training Services: - Professional development training workshops - Networking and peer-learning opportunities - Site-based consulting services

- Information and resources on prevention of alcohol, tobacco and other drug abuse; violence and other health problems - Information and resources on building assets and healthy communities - Technical assistance to community organizations and partnerships - Training and networking opportunities - Simple Steps Walking Program: Individuals can sign up to earn rewards for walking. Participants are eligible to earn lunch boxes, pedometers, and gift cards.

Fosters a sense of community and shared vision through facilitated dinner conversations where people across the community build a social network and engage together as a community, working together to solve issues.

Offers various events and activities to ensure African immigrants have a voice in the community. Activities may include community events, leadership conferences, and networking opportunities.

- Organizes community and networking events - Promotes and markets businesses - Takes positions on legislations and policies that might influence business

Plans and develops with local partners a variety of home and community-based services for older people so that older people can stay in their own homes and communities - Consults on a wide range of topics from demographic changes and needs of older people to programs and services for a variety of organizations, individuals, and businesses - Leverages resources and grant or contract funds to local providers - Provides demographic and service need analysis that informs policy makers, the public and media - Provides TA to Age-Friendly communities, a concept so that communities in the region are responsive and sensitive to the needs of older adults and their caregivers - Provides technical assistance for local service development projects, including state Live Well at Home funds under the Eldercare Development Project

The Minneapolis Foundation is a community foundation serving the metro area and the state of Minnesota. In addition to grant making to nonprofit organizations, the Foundation provides leadership in the areas of convening and collaboration, advocacy and public policy initiatives. Major areas of interest for grant making include: - Climate initiatives - Environmental justice grants working in and for underserved communities - Fourth generation rising leaders - Giving and investing opportunities - Main street economic revitalization in rebuilding Minneapolis - Reimagining education and empowering change in schools - Responding to emerging needs - Safe communities to address and prevent violence

- Information and resources on prevention of alcohol, tobacco and other drug abuse; violence and other health problems - Information and resources on building assets and healthy communities - Technical assistance to community organizations and partnerships - Training and networking opportunities - Simple Steps Walking Program: Individuals can sign up to earn rewards for walking. Participants are eligible to earn lunch boxes, pedometers, and gift cards.

Advances social justice in Minnesota through interfaith advocacy, research, and public engagement on key legislative issues. Offers the following: - Conducts research and policy analysis on social justice topics - Develops a legislative agenda each year before the opening of the Minnesota Legislature - Hosts the annual Day on the Hill during the legislative session, briefing participants on social justice issues and facilitating visits with legislators - Mobilizes advocates through email alerts, published issue papers, and annual lobby events - Leads forums, workshops, and provides speakers on topics such as poverty, health care, housing, children's issues, criminal justice, environmental stewardship, and tax policy NOTE: Does NOT provide individual legal advice or advocacy support and does not have an attorney on staff

Helps businesses succeed by influencing public policy, improving the business environment and building a better community. Provides networking, educational, business recruitment, and social opportunities. Works on business retention and expansion through Grow Minnesota, a statewide Minnesota Chamber initiative.

The purpose of the Advisory Committee on Aging is to represent the views of older adults, conduct public hearings, review and recommend local proposals for funding under the Older Americans Act, review and comment on policy, and advise and assist AAA staff in planning. ?Plans and develops with local partners a variety of home- and community-based services for older people so that older people can stay in their own homes and communities - Consults on a wide range of topics from demographic changes and needs of older people to programs and services for a variety of organizations, individuals, and businesses - Leverages resources and grant or contract funds to local providers - Provides demographic and service need analysis that informs policymakers, the public, and media

Provides assistance and support to member programs and training to allied professionals throughout Minnesota by offering services such as: - Advocacy Support: Assists in developing practical tools and resources to support advocates. Supports advocates through technical assistance including, training, resources, sharing of information, expertise, and making connections. - Medical Forensic Compliance: Aims to improve consistency regarding medical forensic exam access, quality, and payment processes for sexual assault victims across the state of Minnesota - Prevention: Works with communities, organizations, and individuals throughout Minnesota to eliminate the root causes of sexual violence, including the norms, behaviors, and environments that contribute to a person causing harm - Public Policy: Works towards identifying and strengthening sexual violence prevention approaches, supporting adequate funding for victim service advocacy programs, and building a strong justice system response to sexual violence through effective laws and policies - Sexual Exploitation and Trafficking: Leadership in statewide Safe Harbor initiatives and legislation - Sexual Violence Justice Institute: Works with communities to create a comprehensive, victim-centered response through multidisciplinary collaborations, leadership development, training, and technical assistance NOTE: MNCASA does not provide direct advocacy services, and cannot guarantee confidentiality. Individuals seeking free and confidential advocacy services can find one using a locator tool online at rapehelpmn.org.

Provides mentor training and program management assistance. Mentor Minnesota has a Training Institute that works with mentor programs, workplaces, professional associations, and community collaborations, as well as educational, government, and faith institutions, to ensure that they have the information and resources to support more young people and to enhance the mentoring experience for all. Services include: - Assessment, consultation, and support for new mentoring initiatives - Professional development, public education/awareness events, and networking opportunities for mentoring program providers - Training, consultation, and resource development for mentoring program staff - Training development for mentoring program participants