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Philanthropist MacKenzie Scott awards MN nonprofits with millions
Twin Cities-based organizations OutFront Minnesota and WellShare International each received $2 million as part of Scott’s March 2023 Yield Giving Open Call.
MINNEAPOLIS — Philanthropist MacKenzie Scott has once again extended her generosity to Minnesotans, awarding millions in grants for several community-focused nonprofits this week.
Scott’s Yield Giving organization awarded the nonprofits after three rounds of peer and external panel evaluation that narrowed down an initial pool of more than 6,000 applicants from across the country. Earlier this week, Scott upped the ante from her initial pledge of $1 million to 250 organizations this time around, to instead, award $640 million to 361 worthy groups totaling $1, $2 and $3 million each.
Since starting Yield Giving, Scott, cofounder of Amazon and billionaire philanthropist, has shelled out over $17.3 billion to more than 2,300 nonprofit teams in America.
In a statement on Yield Giving’s website, Scott called the organizations “vital agents of change.”
“From a pool of over 6,000 applicants, each of these 361 community-led nonprofits was elevated by peer organizations and a round-2 evaluation panel for their outstanding work advancing the voices and opportunities of individuals and families of meager or modest means, and groups who have met with discrimination and other systemic obstacles. Grateful to Lever for Change and everyone on the evaluation and implementation teams for their roles in creating this pathway to support for people working to improve access to foundational resources in their communities. They are vital agents of change.”
Twin Cities-based organizations OutFront Minnesota and WellShare International were among the Minnesota recipients, each receiving $2 million as part of Scott’s Yield Giving Open Call. The March 2023 initiative focused efforts toward community-led and -focused organizations, whose goal is to help people improve their wellbeing.
“For more than 35 years, OutFront Minnesota has worked to advance LGBTQ+ equity in the state of Minnesota,” said OutFront Executive Director Kat Rhon, in a statement. “This is an extraordinary opportunity for our organization at a time when Minnesota continues to reshape the national narrative around LGBTQ+ rights.”
WellShare International Executive Director Michelle Heerey also released a statement following the announcement, calling Scott’s grant “validating.”
“Our mission continues to be at the crossroads of 3 of the most important issues of our time: access to quality care, migration and social equity,” Heerey said. “It is so validating to see a national entity of this caliber not only invest in making a difference in health equity, but to do so by supporting WellShare’s unique community health worker approach.”
OutFront and WellShare were among nine total organizations in Minnesota to receive donations. The others include Appetite for Change, ISAIAH, Gender Justice, Build Wealth Minnesota, Twin Cities R!se, Dream of Wild Health and CAPI USA.
Of course, this isn’t Scott’s first round of donations granted to area organizations. Last year, she gave Southside Community Health Services $2.6 million to put toward a new health center in Minneapolis’ Phillips neighborhood, and before that, Scott had already donated millions toward other local nonprofits, including, Girl Scouts of Minnesota and Wisconsin River Valleys, Junior Achievement North, and Big Brothers Big Sisters Twin Cities, among others.
For more information about Scott’s philanthropic project, Yield Giving Open Call, and other initiatives, click here.
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RECIPE: Homemade pasta from Red Rabbit
MINNEAPOLIS — Making pasta at home is relatively simple, as long as you have the right tools.
October is National Pasta Month and Red Rabbit‘s Corporate Chef, Adam Lerner, joined KARE 11 Saturday to show us how to make homemade noodles in the confines of your own kitchen.
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New book addresses life’s tough conversations
GOLDEN VALLEY, Minn. — Talking about life-changing events like illness, injury and aging isn’t always pleasant, but avoiding those conversations can make things much harder when they do happen.
A Twin Cities couple is trying to help spur important discussions with a new interactive workbook called “Family Conversations We Must Have But Do Not Want To.” Lisa White, a registered nurse and Michael White, a licensed nursing home administrator and assisted living director, wrote the workbook to steer individuals, seniors, couples and families toward making life decisions so they’re on the same page.
The Whites visited KARE 11 Saturday to talk about the book and the personal story that had them struggling in the search for answers to important questions.
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Spooky cocktail recipes for Halloween
Kona Grill bartender, Charli Gonzalez, joined KARE 11 Saturday to mix up the drinks.
EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. — Those looking for some spooky cocktails to celebrate Halloween should check out Kona Grill in either their Eden Prairie or Minnetonka locations.
Three new festive cocktails are on their menu and Kona Grill bartender, Charli Gonzalez, joined KARE 11 Saturday to share the recipes.
The cocktails are available until November 2. One dollar from each cocktail sold will benefit Breast Cancer research organizations.
The Poisoned Apple
- 1 oz Liquid Alchemist Blood Orange Syrup
- 1 oz Jim Beam Bourbon
- Top off with Angry Orchard Crisp Apple Cider
Glassware: 9 oz Bucket Glass
Garnish: Cinnamon Sugar Rim
Prep: Add Blood Orange and Jim Beam to a shaker with ice. Strain over fresh ice into the glass. Fill with Angry Orchard and stir.
The Black Widow
- 0.75 oz fresh lime juice
- 0.25 oz agave
- 0.75 oz Cointreau
- Big pinch of black luster dust
- 1.5 oz Patron Silver
Garnish: Half Black Salt Rim
Prep: add all ingredients to a shaker with ice, vigorously shake and strain into a glass.
The Green Intensity
- 0.25 real lychee puree
- 0.5 oz St. Germain
- 0.75 oz fresh lime juice
- Green Luster dust
- 2 oz Bombay Sapphire
Garnish: lychee and Luxardo cherry
Prep: add all ingredients into a shake with ice, vigorously shake, and strain into a martini glass