MPS School and Department Funds
About School and Department Funds
As the nonprofit foundation for Minneapolis Public Schools (MPS), Achieve Twin Cities manages a dedicated fund for each MPS school and department that has been approved by the district, along with grants for specific initiatives. Achieve receives private donations for these funds and makes approved payments and reimbursements for special projects and activities.
100% of donations go to the MPS fund designated by the donor. An administrative fee (a percentage, as set in current agreement with MPS) will be assessed on gifts where Achieve Twin Cities led the efforts for stewardship and provided donor advising services. Achieve will also pass along fees for gifts involving credit card processing and stock transfers.
Note: Grants, scholarships, and awards are subject to an administrative fee as determined by MPS and Achieve Twin Cities each year in their official partnership agreement.
Donors: Make a gift to MPS
Online Gifts
Make a secure on-line gift to a MPS school or department, designating the name of the school or department in the donation form.
Checks
Make your check payable to Achieve Twin Cities. * Note: Be sure to include the school or department designation. Mail to Achieve Twin Cities, 404 South 8th Street, Suite 105, Minneapolis, MN 55404.
Gifts of stock, planned gifts or other donation options
Reach out to the Achieve Twin Cities development team for guidance on making other kinds of gifts to MPS.
Note: Achieve Twin Cities cannot accept payments on behalf of MPS schools or departments. We can only accept donations.
MPS Staff: Make a deposit or withdrawal from your fund
MPS staff can make deposits into their school or department fund and also access funds for payment or reimbursement with proper MPS authorization. Learn how to deposit donations, access funds and gather required documentation and approvals.
Note: Achieve Twin Cities cannot accept payments on behalf of MPS schools or departments. We can only accept donations.
Mini-Grants and Awards for MPS Educators and Classrooms
About Mini-Grants and Awards
Achieve administers small grants to support educator professional development opportunities, classroom activities and field trip transportation.
These include Minneapolis Educator Leadership Awards and other grants that are funded by community donations.
Note: Achieve Twin Cities no longer manages Assistance League of Minneapolis/St. Paul Links to Learning grants,
MPS staff: Minneapolis Educator Leadership Awards
Minneapolis Educator Leadership Awards (MELA) provide grants for MPS teachers, principals, paraprofessionals and support staff for creative learning opportunities for students. A program of the John & Denise Graves Foundation and administered by Achieve Twin Cities, MELA's nomination and selection process is entirely teacher-driven. In 2024, MELA grants were awarded to 10 recipients.
Nominations for the 2025 MELA awards are now open until January 21. Learn more about the nomination process.
MPS staff: Other Mini-Grants for Educators and Classrooms
Achieve Twin Cities also manages small grants for educators and classrooms that are funded by community donations, Achieve discretionary funds and MPS staff through the We Give campaign. Grant availability varies by year.
Learn more about these grants and how to apply.
MPS College Scholarships
About MPS College Scholarships
Achieve Twin Cities partners with Minneapolis Public Schools to administer and award college scholarships to MPS seniors and recent graduates for postsecondary education. Each year, Achieve typically awards over 70 college scholarships totaling more than $150,000.
* Please note that Achieve Twin Cities does not award scholarships for students in Saint Paul Public Schools.
MPS students: Apply for a scholarship
Contact your Achieve Career & College Center coordinators or counselors at your MPS high school for more information. They manage all questions and applications for these scholarships.
* Please note that Achieve Twin Cities does not award scholarships for students in Saint Paul Public Schools.
MPS graduates: Renew your Lillian J. Lindsten Scholarship
If you received a Lillian J. Lindsten renewable scholarship, reach out to Achieve Twin Cities staff to find out about next steps.
MPS graduates: Redeem your deferred MPS scholarship
If you deferred your MPS scholarship, reach out to the Achieve Twin Cities team for details on next steps to redeem your scholarship.
Donors: Fund a new scholarship
The Achieve Twin Cities development team welcomes the opportunity to work with you to support current scholarships or create new opportunities for MPS students.
Learn more on our MPS Scholarships FAQ page.
