Voqal is excited to announce nine grants to organizations working in the Twin Cities and across Minnesota to create a more racially and socially equitable community. The grants of $28,000 to Nexus Community Partners, Black Visions Collective, Unidos MN, Centro de Trabajadores Unidos en la Lucha (CTUL), Comunidades Organizando el Poder y la Accion Latina (COPAL), Reviving the Islamic Sisterhood for Empowerment (RISE), Voices for Racial Justice, TakeAction Minnesota and Awood Center represent Voqal’s commitment to supporting organizations working in the community to engage a diverse citizenry in democracy.
Nexus Community Partners
Nexus Community Partners supports strong, equitable and just communities in which all residents are engaged, are recognized as leaders and have pathways to opportunities. Voqal’s support is assisting Nexus Community Partners in building the capacity of community-based organizations, individuals and networks to advance equity in the Twin Cities.
Black Visions Collective
Black Visions Collective is putting into practice the lessons learned from organizations who came before it in order to shape a political home for Black people across Minnesota. Voqal’s grant is helping Black Visions Collective continue to grow its organization and expand its impact as it becomes a more established institution capable of changing the policies, culture and leadership of Minnesota’s progressive movement in order to transform the lives of Black Minnesotans across the diaspora.
Unidos MN
Unidos MN aims to elevate the collective vision of immigration and education justice into political power building and intentional pro-immigrant political organizing. Voqal funds are supporting Unidos MN as it mobilizes people power and invests in leadership development and popular education.
Centro de Trabajadores Unidos en la Lucha (CTUL)
CTUL is an organization by and for low-wage workers, a hub where workers of diverse industries and backgrounds come together to develop their leadership, build community and lead transformative campaigns for justice. Voqal funds support CTUL’s continued work to fight for fair pay, safe conditions and more inclusive labor standards in Minnesota.
Comunidades Organizando el Poder y la Accion Latina (COPAL)
COPAL unites Latinxs in Minnesota in active grassroots communal democracy that builds racial, gender, social and economic justice across community lines. Voqal’s grant is supporting COPAL’s effort to build digital organizing and membership development capacity.
Reviving the Islamic Sisterhood for Empowerment (RISE)
RISE amplifies the voice and power of Muslim women. Voqal’s support is assisting RISE as it continues to build the collective power of Muslim women to bring about radical social change and reflective systems of power.
Voices for Racial Justice
Voices for Racial Justice advances racial, cultural, social and economic justice in Minnesota through organizer and leadership training, strategic convenings and campaigns, and research and policy tools. Voqal’s grant is supporting Voices for Racial Justice’s work to nurture a healthy ecosystem of racial justice organizing by developing practices, training tools and opportunities for shared learning to end racial disparities.
TakeAction Minnesota
TakeAction Minnesota is a statewide network of people working to realize racial and economic equity across Minnesota. Voqal’s support helps TakeAction Minnesota build the capacity needed to incubate and sponsor community-based organizations, particularly those from communities of color and indigenous communities.
Awood Center
The Awood Center is a community organization whose mission is to build economic, political and organizing power among workers in the East African community of Minnesota. Voqal’s grant is supporting Awood Center’s efforts to ensure Amazon workers in Minnesota have a voice and ensure that jobs at Amazon are quality, safe and reliable jobs.
“During this historically important time, we are excited and proud to stand with diverse communities and build power together to improve the lives of present and future generations,” said Voqal board member Luchelle Stevens.
Learn more about Voqal’s grants to organizations in Minnesota and across the country on our grants page.