The Initiative Foundation has allocated a total of $30,000 in rapid-response grants aimed at assisting the Somali community in St. Cloud, Minnesota. This decision comes in light of increasing reports of harassment and threats directed towards community members, including intimidation faced by nonprofit organizations and local leaders. The announcement was made on December 31.
Four grants have been distributed to organizations that serve Somali, new American, and immigrant communities. These funds are intended to address urgent safety concerns and protect both staff and community members, according to the Initiative Foundation. An additional $45,000 is anticipated to be allocated in the near future.
In a statement regarding the initiative, Bob McClintick, the marketing and communications director for the Initiative Foundation, emphasized the need for confidentiality surrounding the grant recipients. He noted that “because of the current safety environment, we are being careful not to publicly identify grant recipients … we don’t want additional attention to put people at risk.” This caution reflects the serious nature of the threats reported in the area.
Reports of intimidation have emerged in various contexts, including workplaces and public spaces. The situation has raised alarms due to the prevalence of hateful rhetoric online and personal threats made against community leaders. The Initiative Foundation is collaborating with several partners to address these challenges, including the Morgan Family Foundation and the United Way of Central Minnesota. Statewide partners also include the McKnight Foundation, Minneapolis Foundation, and the St. Paul & Minnesota Foundation.
The grants are designated for several critical areas. They will support physical safety measures, crisis response and de-escalation training, as well as short-term basic needs such as food, housing stability, transportation, and healthcare. These efforts aim to restore stability and trust within the affected communities. Furthermore, the funding will also help provide access to accurate and culturally responsive legal information, which is essential for those facing harassment.
As organizations work to implement these measures, the Initiative Foundation remains committed to fostering a safer environment for the Somali community in St. Cloud and beyond. For more information on their initiatives, visit www.ifound.org.
