Minneapolis, MN -- The Jay and Rose Phillips Family Foundation announced today that it will focus its Twin Cities grantmaking efforts on helping people in poverty achieve economic stability. 

 

Over the next three years, the Foundation will focus on the three primary factors that address the root causes of poverty:

• Employment – helping people secure employment and attain living-wage jobs

• Education – improving education and training for tomorrow’s workforce

• Housing – ensuring access to safe and affordable housing

 

“We’re concerned about the increasing numbers of people struggling to care for themselves and their families in these tough economic times,” said Amy Crawford, executive director of the Foundation. “We’re interested in investing in efforts that help people in poverty acquire the tools they need to succeed and create more stability in their lives, which can ultimately lead to healthier communities. This approach carries on our founders’ mission to address the unmet human and social needs of individuals, families, and communities that have the least access to resources.”

 

The new strategic direction was informed by a recent planning process as well as information gathered from grantees and other key stakeholders. It reflects the Foundation trustees’ desire to have greater impact on the most pressing local issues as well as to strengthen the family members’ grantmaking in their home communities.

 

Earlier this week, the trustees approved the highest payout percentage in the organization’s history to direct as much support as possible to community needs. This will enable the Foundation to commit a significant portion of its grantmaking budget to exit grants for select grantee organizations that do not fit the new funding focus. In addition, the Foundation will continue to honor the legacy of its founders by supporting several long-term grantees that are combating discrimination and advancing equality for all members of our community.

 

New grant guidelines and application deadlines will be announced in December.

The Jay and Rose Phillips Family Foundation is a private foundation established to honor the philanthropic legacy of its founders, Jay and Rose Phillips. It continues the family tradition of sharing resources for the public good while exercising leadership and flexibility in responding to emerging community needs. Since 1992, the work of The Jay and Rose Phillips Family Foundation has built on these values and the commitment to helping those with the least access to resources reach their potential and lead healthier, more productive lives. During this time, the Foundation has invested in more than 700 nonprofit organizations to support their innovative and effective efforts to make a positive difference in the lives of those most in need in our community. For more information, visit www.phillipsfnd.org.