MPS School and Department Funds
About School and Department Funds
As the nonprofit foundation for Minneapolis Public Schools (MPS), Achieve Twin Cities manages a dedicated fund for each MPS school and department that has been approved by the district, in addition to grants for specific initiatives. We receive private donations for these funds and make approved payments and reimbursements for special projects and activities.
100% of donations go to the MPS fund designated by the donor. Achieve does not take administrative fees on contributions, but does pass along credit card processing and stock transfer fees. * Please note: grants are subject to an administrative fee as determined by MPS and Achieve Twin Cities each year in our official partnership agreement.
Donors: Make a gift to MPS
Online Gifts
Make a secure on-line gift to a MPS school or department, designating the name of the school or department in the donation form.
Checks
Make your check payable to Achieve Twin Cities and be sure to include the school or department designation. Mail to Achieve Twin Cities, 404 South 8th Street, Suite 105 | Minneapolis, MN 55404.
Gifts of stock, planned gifts or other donation options
Reach out to the Achieve development team for guidance on making other kinds of gifts to MPS.
Note: Achieve Twin Cities cannot accept payments on behalf of MPS schools or departments. We can only accept donations.
MPS Staff: Make a deposit or withdrawal from your fund
MPS staff can make deposits into their school or department fund and access funds for payment or reimbursement with proper MPS authorization.
Learn how to deposit donations, access funds, and gather required documentation and approvals.
Note: Achieve Twin Cities cannot accept payments on behalf of MPS schools or departments. We can only accept donations.
Mini-Grants and Awards for MPS Educators and Classrooms
About Mini-Grants and Awards
Achieve administers three pools of small grants to support educator professional development opportunities, classroom activities and field trip transportation.
These include Links to Learning grants, Minneapolis Educator Leadership Awards and other small grants that are funded by community donations.
MPS staff: Minneapolis Educator Leadership Awards
Minneapolis Educator Leadership Awards (MELA) provides financial support to MPS teachers, principals, paraprofessionals and support staff in designing creative learning opportunities for students. A program of the John & Denise Graves Foundation and administered by Achieve Twin Cities, the MELA nomination and selection process is entirely teacher-driven. In 2023, over $95,000 in MELA grants were awarded to 10 recipients. Nominations for 2024 MELA awards are now closed.
MPS staff: Links to Learning Grants
Achieve manages Assistance League of Minneapolis/St. Paul Links to Learning grants, which award up to $1,000 to fund MPS classroom enrichment projects that fall outside of the standard curriculum.
Check back in September 2024 to apply for the 2024-25 school year. Funding for selected projects will be available by late November or early December 2024.
MPS staff: Other Mini-Grants for Educators and Classrooms
Achieve Twin Cities also manages some small grants for educators and classrooms that are funded by community donations, Achieve discretionary funds and MPS staff through the We Give campaign. Grant availability varies by year.
Reach out to our staff for more information on these grants and how to apply.
MPS College Scholarships
About MPS College Scholarships
Achieve Twin Cities partners with Minneapolis Public Schools to administer and award over 70 college scholarships each year to MPS seniors and recent graduates for postsecondary education. Each year, Achieve awards over 70 college scholarships totaling more than $170,000.
* Please note that Achieve Twin Cities does not award scholarships for students in Saint Paul Public Schools.
MPS students: Apply for a scholarship
Contact Achieve Career & College Center coordinators or counselors at your MPS high school for more information. They manage all questions and applications for these scholarships.
* Please note that Achieve Twin Cities does not award scholarships for students in Saint Paul Public Schools.
MPS graduates: Renew your Lillian J. Lindsten Scholarship
If you received a Lillian J. Lindsten renewable scholarship, reach out to our Achieve Twin Cities main office team to find out about next steps.
Donors: Fund a new scholarship
The Achieve Twin Cities development team welcomes the opportunity to work with you to support current scholarships or create new opportunities for MPS students.
