The document summarizes the Partnership for a ConnectedMN, which was created by philanthropic and business leaders in collaboration with Minnesota's governor to ensure students from underserved communities have access to technology and high-speed internet for distance learning during COVID-19. It provided over $2 million in grants to 23 organizations to supply devices and internet access to an estimated 68,000 students. The partnership considers equity, community-informed work, and community-led decision making in its process. It also outlines future plans to partner with corporations to raise funds focused on digital learning for minority students, targeting technology, learning spaces, mental health support, and transportation.

1. www.connectedmn.us

2. Building a more
equitable, resilient
state where each and
every student can
learn, thrive, and
prosper.
OUR PURPOSE

3. H I G H - S P E E D
I N T E R N E T
D I S T A N C E L E A R N I N G
&
S U P P O R T I V E
S E R V I C E S
A MORE EQUITABLE,
RESILIENT STATE
WHERE EACH AND
EVERY STUDENT CAN
LEARN, THRIVE, AND
PROSPER
T E C H N O L O G Y
D E V I C E S

4. Partnership for a ConnectedMN
was created by philanthropic and business leaders, in collaboration with Governor Tim Walz,
in the wake of COVID-19 to ensure Minnesota’s students from disinvested communities
have the tech devices and high-speed internet connectivity they need to learn, thrive and
prosper.
The Partnership for a ConnectedMN grant program will provide funds to eligible applicants in
Minnesota to support projects designed to ensure K-12 students in high-need and/or
underserved communities have computing devices, access to the internet, and educational
support. The COVID-19 pandemic has made it even clearer that these resources are
essential to facilitate distance learning, access critical support services, such as mental
health and food and shelter, and maintain social connections.
The goal of the Partnership for Connected MN’s grant program is to support efforts by
Minnesota communities to ensure that schools and teachers are prepared to offer equitable
access to quality distance learning this fall and for the duration of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Specifically, the partners seek to ensure that Minnesota students have the tools they need
to connect and engage around school, physical and mental health and future career
ABOUT US

5. *Confirmed cash and in-kind; as of 5.23.20
F O U N D I N G M E M B E R S
S U P P O R T E R S *
Accenture
Allianz Life Insurance Company
Andersen Corporation
Bush Foundation
Boston Scientific
Ecolab Foundation
EY
F.R. Bigelow Foundation
Fred C. and Katherine B. Andersen
Foundation
Land O’Lakes
Mardag Foundation
Margaret A. Cargill Foundation
Minneapolis Foundation
Protolabs Foundation
Richard M. Schulze Family Foundation
Securian Financial
SPS Commerce Foundation
Vantage Financial
Xcel Energy*Confirmed cash and in-kind; as of 09.1.20
In collaboration with:

6. Considerations:
 E q uity – i n addi tion to bui l ding thi s work wi th
strategic partners who are experienced i n and
governed by the goal s of advocating for equi ty,
our goal s are to be equi table i n desi gn and approach.
Transparency about the fol l owing i s a key component of thi s goal .
 C ommunity-informed w o rk – work i s bei ng devel oped i n an i terative way,
engagi ng community l eaders from across fi el ds and communities to hel p i dentify
the need, best way to address i t, the RFP i tself and the deci sion -making process.
 C ommunity le d d ecision-making – the partnership hol ds onl y strategic deci sion -
maki ng authority, any fundi ng deci sions wi l l be made through i nput from or speci fic
revi ew by groups of foundation and community partners representing a broad
spectrum of fi elds and i dentities.
 “ ROI” – When maki ng deci sions, we acknowledge that because of i nequities some
sol utions cost more. Thi s i sn’ t about a di rect ROI, thi s i s about equi table sol utions
to decrease the di gi tal di vi de.
 T im ing – how do we respond to urgent needs whi l e continuing to be avai lable
throughout the year as needs and sol utions emerge and the si tuation changes? How
do we shi ft power i n ti mi ng
 L andscape – what el se i s happening i n the state? Where are we ampl ifying efforts?
Where mi ght we be dupl icating? What ’s mi ssing?
IMPORTANT CONSIDERATIONS
IN OUR PROCESS

7. Grantmaking:
 In mid-September, Partnership for a ConnectedMN
announced that $2.1 million had been awarded in
grants to 23 organizations to provide support to
students in urban and rural communities across the state.
 Grants are expected to support an estimated 68,000 students by providing
access to computing devices, internet connectivity, and tech support.
 Community-informed decision-making – the Partnership holds
only strategic decision-making authority, funding decisions
were made through a specific review process that included
groups of foundation and community partners representing a
broad spectrum of fields and identities.
 A successful launch – On September 23, ConnectedMN joined
MN Governor Tim Walz at Haven Housing, a transitional housing
center in Minneapolis that received a ConnectedMN grant.
The Governor was able to thank supporters and grant recipients for
their expeditious work to close existing gaps in our state’s digital divide.

8. WHAT’S NEXT?

9. ConnectedMN / Corporate Coalition Partnership:
 Fund Focus:
Coalition members contribute funds for nonprofits,
schools and public entities (e.g., libraries) to support
digital learning for BIPOC students in the Twin Cities (80%)
and Greater Minnesota (20%).
 Fund Reach/Impact:
 Technology and Internet
 Safe Learning Spaces
 Mental Health Support
 Transportation
 Donors:
3M - $50k; Best Buy - $200k; Cargill - $500k; General Mills - $100K; Opus
Foundation - $50k;
Target- $250k; Thrivent - $100k; US Bank Foundation - $50k
Total: $1.3M, Goal: $5M+