Skip to main content

The Foundation partners with the Minnesota Council on Foundations and others to help new Afghan arrivals resettle in Minnesota.

Minnesota may soon become home to some new residents. Over the next months Minnesota anticipates that it will welcome more than 1,000 Afghan people, which is only a fraction of the estimated 70,000 citizens who have recently fled Afghanistan.

"Minnesota has a long legacy of welcoming immigrants and refugees, many of whom have made this state their permanent home,” said Senior Vice President of Community Impact Pahoua Yang Hoffman. “The Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation is proud to keep this tradition going through our support of the Afghan resettlement efforts and the work being done every day by organizations across the state from Lutheran Social Services to the International Institute of Minnesota who are helping Afghan arrivals relocate to the state.”

In partnership with the Minnesota Council on Foundations and others, the Foundation is investing in Operation Allies Welcome in Minnesota, a statewide effort to ensure each new Afghan arrival has what they need to resettle. This support will be part of a public-private partnership, with funding and volunteer aid from federal, state, individual and philanthropic sources.

“Not every state provides benefits to refugees but in Minnesota, Afghan refugees can qualify to receive benefits such as Minnesota Family Investment Plan once they meet the 30-day residency requirement," Pahoua said. “This is why it is important for foundations such as the Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation and individual donors to come together to meet the needs during this critical window.”

Minnesota has a long legacy of welcoming immigrants and refugees, many of whom have made this state their permanent home. The Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation is proud to keep this tradition going.

Pahoua Yang Hoffman

Personal Relocation Experience

Pahoua knows what it’s like to relocate to a new country. Her family came to the U.S. seeking asylum after living in a Thai refugee camp.

“I came to the United States as a refugee child with my parents and we experienced firsthand the generosity of strangers during our first few months in a new country,” said Pahoua. “As a community foundation, we are honored to be able to direct funding and call on our community to help Afghan refugees resettle here in Minnesota.”

The public-private partnership expects to invest $6 million toward short-term housing, collaborative response resources such as food and interpreters, and legal services. If you are interested in contributing to these efforts, visit Operation Allies Welcome in Minnesota to learn more.

More Stories

Chanda Smith Baker Named President & CEO of the Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation

Meet the Foundation's New President & CEO in this letter to community from Board Chair Dr. Joseph Lee.

Read the news

Celebrating the Strength of Saint Paul’s Neighborhoods

Listen to stories from Saint Paul community leaders representing Rondo, Frogtown, the East Side, the West Side and the Mississippi River.

See the impact

Zach Pruitt Named Jones Family Foundation Executive Director

Zach Pruitt, an experienced nonprofit leader, will champion integrity, innovation and impact at the charitable organization based in Red Wing.

Read the news

1 Day At A Time: Connecting Unhoused Minnesotans to Housing Resources

Learn how Richard McLemore II is bridging the gap between housing resources and those who need them most.

See the impact

Finding Joy in Remembrance: Honoring George Floyd Five Years Later

Leslie E. Redmond organizes commemorative event for George Floyd and reflects on her work as an activist.

Read the announcement

The Foundation Convenes Minnesota Experts on the Housing Continuum

Housing leaders emphasize the economic and social benefits of addressing the state's growing housing crisis.

See the Highlights

A Decade of Growth and Giving

To celebrate retiring CEO Dr. Eric Jolly’s legacy at the Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation, we have compiled a list of highlights and accomplishments during his tenure.

See the Highlights

Announcing the 2025 Minnesota Community IDEAS Grantees

The Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation is excited to announce the 2025 Minnesota Community IDEAS Grant Program grant recipients.

Read the announcement

GET MONTHLY STORIES, NEWS AND UPDATES

JOIN
US!

* Indicates a required field