Skip to main content

Here are three ways you can improve the opportunity gap for Minnesota’s youth.

Danielle Grant
Danielle Grant

Minnesota’s youth tend to perform well compared to all other states on standardized test scores, graduation rates and college readiness.

Yet when it comes to measures by race and socioeconomic status, the state still has one of the largest achievement gaps in the nation, according to the Federal Reserve’s report, “A Statewide Crisis: Minnesota’s Education Achievement Gap.”1

Danielle Grant, president and CEO of Achieve Twin Cities (Formally Achieve Minneapolis), is addressing this issue head-on. Achieve Twin Cities expanded its work into Saint Paul, helping youth move from K-12 to post-secondary education.

“Primarily this is an opportunity gap where all youth aren’t getting the same support and resources across the Twin Cities, or in Minnesota,” said Danielle.

Watch our first episode of Corner Conversations with Chris Garner to learn what Achieve Twin Cities is doing to improve this gap, and what you can do too.

video poster

Inspired to Get Involved?

Here are three ways you can make a difference:

  1. Mentor a student or students. Share your career journey and insights with students as a career speaker, or represent your company or industry at a career fair.
  2. Give to local organizations that support youth. Make a gift or donation to organizations like Achieve Twin Cities to help youth have access to resources such as career and post-secondary education.
  3. Find opportunities to volunteer. Consider getting involved in local youth programs or initiatives such as a troop leader for Girl Scouts or Boy Scouts or as a youth leader or coach.

More About Achieve Twin Cities

Achieve Twin Cities rallies community support and delivers best-in-class programs to inspire and equip young people in Minneapolis and Saint Paul for careers, college and life. Their vision is that all students have full and equitable access to postsecondary education and career opportunities, creating a more just and vibrant community.

They provide equity-focused career and college readiness services in more than 25 Minneapolis Public Schools (MPS) and Saint Paul Public Schools high schools, connect students with career exploration opportunities through Step Up and Achieve College Internships, host EDTalks and other public education engagement events, and support MPS in securing grants and managing school funds, staff mini-grants and college scholarships.

Learn more about youth and education organizations we fund.

Corner Conversations feature individuals and nonprofits driving change in the East Metro and beyond by highlighting their work in connection to current topics and issues facing our communities and state.

1. Federal Reserve. “A Statewide Crisis: Minnesota’s Education Achievement Gap” (PDF)

More Stories

Foundations Announce $10.3 Million in 2024 Second-Round Community Grants

Grants will provide crucial funding resources to community organizations making a tangible difference in the lives of individuals and families across the East Metro and Greater Minnesota.

Read the announcement

Sara Ochs: Bridging Theater and Music in a New Artistic Journey

Sara Ochs is a multidisciplinary theater artist and songwriter. With support from Art in This Present Moment, Sara will be exploring her talents as a songwriter, writing new music and potentially a one woman play.

See the project

Staging Community: Building a Supportive Ecosystem for Local Theater

Learn how you can go from audience to advocate by supporting organizations like Exposed Brick Theatre.

Read More

Mother and Son Duet Bridges the Gap Between Old and New

Mothers often have close relationships with their sons, but in the case of Maria Biagetti Cortez and Vladimir Garrido-Biagetti, that bond is deeply immersed in their culture and music.

See the project

2024 Bush Prize: Minnesota Winners

Congratulations to these Minnesota nonprofit organizations recognized for their strong histories of innovation and community problem solving.

See the Winners

Engaging Communities for Change Through Grantmaking

Learn how the Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation is partnering with nonprofits, donors and anti-racism advocates to make a better Minnesota in this video with President and CEO Eric J. Jolly, Ph.D.

Hear from Dr. Jolly

Songs of Connection: Conductor Strives to Desegregate the Choral Community

Music is a universal language, and no one knows that more than Ahmed Fernando Anzaldúa El Samkary.

See the project

Foundation Makes First Grant in Partnership with the Taylor Family Farms Foundation

Winona Health plans to expand its community health services to support seniors with a new grant.

Learn More

GET MONTHLY STORIES, NEWS AND UPDATES

JOIN
US!

* Indicates a required field