Recent content from Kelly Smith
Why do so many Minnesota homeowners get free roofs after a hailstorm?
Stormy weather has been beating up local roofs lately. But insurance companies are also scaling back coverage, arguing that "something's got to change."
Buy Nothing meets GoFundMe: How a new Eden Prairie website aims to 'revolutionize' philanthropy
RedLadder is a new online marketplace where people trade free household items, resulting in donations to Twin Cities nonprofits.
Some of Minnesota's largest companies have quietly closed their foundations
3M, General Mills and Thrivent have closed their foundations in recent years, changing how they give back to the community.
An 18th defendant pleads guilty in Feeding Our Future fraud case
Hoda Abdi, 53, of Burnsville pleaded guilty Wednesday to conspiracy to commit wire fraud.
Minnesotans traveling to see Monday's solar eclipse hope to catch 'cosmic dance'
Many Minnesotans are embarking on road trips across the country to witness three or four minutes of a total solar eclipse on Monday.
Minneapolis media arts nonprofit Pollen Midwest shuts down after nearly 15 years
The small nonprofit was well-known in the nonprofit sector for its events, storytelling and jobs board.
Bloomington nonprofit leader tied to Feeding Our Future agrees to step down
In a settlement agreement, Ayan Abukar agreed to step down from the nonprofit she continued to be involved with despite federal criminal fraud charges.
YWCA Minneapolis sells Uptown fitness facility to nonprofit creating workforce development hub
Tending the Soil, a coalition of nonprofits and unions, plan to close on the sale in June.
Homelessness in Minnesota declined slightly in 2023, according to new study
For the first time in five years, Wilder Research has released a count of homelessness in Minnesota.
Minneapolis nonprofit Project Success expands to Mankato schools after $3M donation
Its largest donation ever will allow Project Success, which provides free classes to Minneapolis students, to expand its programs to Minnesota students outside the Twin Cities.
MacKenzie Scott gives $20 million to 10 Twin Cities nonprofits
The donations, announced Tuesday, from the Seattle billionaire will help Minnesota nonprofits expand their work.
YWCA Minneapolis sells downtown fitness facility to St. David's Center in Minnetonka
St. David's Center hopes to close on the purchase of YWCA's building on Nicollet Mall this summer, allowing it to expand its child mental health and autism programs.
Minnesota launches new outdoor recreation office in a bid to be 'top 10' state for recreation
In the last decade, 20 states across the country have set up outdoor recreation offices. Minnesota has now launched its own, aiming to boost the economy.
Explore Minnesota unveils new marketing campaign to sell the state to tourists, new residents
Travel industry experts got a first look at a new national ad campaign touting Minnesota to tourists and potential new residents.
From Lake Minnetonka to downtown Minneapolis, Twin Cities sauna culture heats up
Minnesota has become the epicenter of the sauna revival in the U.S., with new sauna experiences popping up in the Twin Cities.
V3 Sports opens new north Minneapolis aquatics center this spring
The first phase of the $97 million aquatics and sports center is opening this spring, and with a June grand opening.
Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community wraps up campaign to change Minnesota schools' perspectives on Native Americans
The Understand Native Minnesota campaign, which launched in 2019, has funded grants, research, new curriculum and training for teachers.
What's the story behind the Minnesota communities in Arizona and Florida?
Even far away from their home state, Minnesotans often find each other.
Feeding Our Future leader alleges a Minnesota Department of Education cover-up
Aimee Bock, who is criminally charged in the Feeding Our Future case, alleges that Education Department employees used burner phones and misspelled messages to hide information from a civil lawsuit the nonprofit filed over stopped payments.
How to get free tax help and receive Minnesota's new $1,750 child tax credit
The new child tax credit is the highest in the country, helping an estimated 300,000 families in the state.
Burnsville grocery store owner charged in Feeding Our Future case
Hoda Abdi was charged Thursday with wire fraud, the 61st person to be charged or indicted.
Thousands of Minnesota women, infants could lose access to federal program due to stagnant funding
On Thursday, U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack visited Minnesota to urge Congress to fully fund the Women, Infants and Children supplemental nutrition program, or it will face funding cuts for the first time in 25 years.
Hot dish 2/1/24
Plus: Most of Minnesota's House delegation joined a bipartisan effort to approve a tax cut package.
Target, Cargill pledge $10 million each to Second Harvest Heartland's new plan to cut hunger in Minnesota
Second Harvest's new "Make Hunger History" plan could cost more than $150 million over the next six years in new staffing and programs.
Minnesota funnels 'historic' $25 million to boost marketing the state to tourists, new residents
The Legislature approved the first funding increase to Explore Minnesota in more than a decade. The funding will support new campaigns to market Minnesota to travelers and prospective residents.
Second Harvest Heartland grows to push ambitious plan to reduce hunger in Minnesota
The Twin Cities food bank is adding new data, policy and outreach staff in a broad new plan to cut hunger in half by 2030.
New Minnesota state flag becomes partisan issue in 2024
Republicans plan to introduce legislation to put the final Minnesota state flag design to a public vote.
Minnesota hits a new record for food shelf visits
More Minnesotans visited food shelves in 2023 than any year in recent history. More residents are also relying on food stamps than any year since 2016 as stagnant wages and rising costs bust budgets.
Activists urge Minneapolis Foundation to rescind 2022 donation to Alpha News
Activists want the Minneapolis Foundation to rescind the donor's $11,500 grant to Alpha News, which they say may have been used to make the film "The Fall of Minneapolis."
Former St. Paul nonprofit leader pleads guilty in Feeding Our Future case
Sharon Ross led St. Paul nonprofit House of Refuge and could face three years in prison for wire fraud.
New Minnesota laws aim to bolster protections for renters
State law changes include adding a grace period before evictions and requiring landlords to give 24 hours' notice before entering a unit.
How new state laws will affect Minnesotans starting Jan. 1
Many laws take effect on the first day of 2024, from new gun safety rules to a requirement that workplaces offer sick time.
Meet the leader who's helped hundreds of Minnesota nonprofits with financial advice
Kate Barr, a former banking executive, is retiring in January after leading Propel Nonprofits for 23 years.
The Center for Economic Inclusion in St. Paul cuts staffing
The nonprofit cited declining donations and increasing expenses.
Feeding Our Future defendant cannot travel to Saudi Arabia, judge rules
U.S. Magistrate Judge Tony Leung rejected Hamdi Hussein Omar's request to make the trip.
Public safety agencies across Minnesota receive $300 million boost from state
The money will go to fire, police and emergency agencies statewide next week.
St. Grand is back, dropping $1,000 cash in a Salvation Army red kettle in Coon Rapids
The Twin Cities Salvation Army found a $1,000 donation of cash bills rolled up in a red kettle in Coon Rapids on Tuesday.
Billionaire Glen Taylor announces a new charitable mission for 2024
The Mankato businessman and Star Tribune owner will rent out his farmland, valued at $172 million, and donate the proceeds to charities and southern Minnesota communities.
Judges approve nine Feeding Our Future defendants' requests to travel
The travel requests cite family, religious or business needs and so far, it appears that none have fled the country before facing sentencing or trial.
16th Feeding Our Future defendant pleads guilty
Ahmed Sharif Omar-Hashim pleaded guilty Wednesday to wire fraud in the sprawling Feeding Our Future fraud scheme.
How low-income Minnesotans can qualify for heating assistance this winter
State officials urged low-income Minnesotans to take advantage of federally funded programs helping to offset utility costs or boost weatherization.
Brooklyn Park woman pleads guilty in Feeding Our Future case
Filsan M. Hassan could face about three years in prison.
Philanthropist MacKenzie Scott surprises six more Twin Cities nonprofits with $26.1M in gifts
Scott's foundation announced her latest round of surprise donations to nonprofits nationwide.
More Minnesota foundation dollars are going to Florida and other states
Some experts worry that means Minnesota nonprofits are getting less support from some Minnesota foundations.
Twin Cities nonprofit that helps families of first responders accused of conflicts of interest
The Minnesota 100 Club was ordered by the state Attorney General's Office to revamp its policies, including adding a conflict-of-interest policy.
Minnesotans can help affordable housing — and get a tax credit
The state's housing finance agency has launched a six-year fund to drum up donations in exchange for an 85% tax credit.
Audit finds Secretary of State's Office needs to boost oversight of grants
The Minnesota Secretary of State's office passed the state audit in every measure except for its oversight of grants.
Hudson, Procaccini mark new roles on the Minnesota Supreme Court with ceremonial oaths
Natalie Hudson and Karl Procaccini were officially sworn in in October, but a public ceremony was held Monday to honor them.
Explorers discover dead person in downtown St. Paul cave
No additional details were released about the deceased person or how they died.
Minnesota on record-setting pace to top 7 million food shelf visits this year
Minnesota leaders announced Monday that the state will distribute an extra $5 million to food banks.
Minnetonka estate showcases Victorian era and Minnesota's milling past
The Charles H. Burwell House was the first Minnetonka site to be placed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Give to the Max Day draws $34 million, the second-highest amount ever
The final tally: $34.2 million was donated on Give to the Max Day — the fourth consecutive year the statewide online fundraiser topped $30 million.
Will Minnesotans break from the national trend of declining Give to the Max Day donations?
Many Minnesota nonprofits are seeing a drop in donations this year even as their expenses rise.
Minnesota's new Energy Climate Corps aims to diversify growing energy jobs
Minnesota's new Energy Climate Corps will train nearly two dozen AmeriCorps members on clean energy jobs as they make state park buildings more energy-efficient.
Twin Cities Salvation Army adds tap technology to red kettles to boost donations
After adding Venmo and Paypal options and QR codes, the Salvation Army is now adding tap technology to increase digital donations.
Authorities seize 30 dogs from Andover animal rescue after eight others found dead
The Animal Humane Society in Golden Valley is now assessing the dogs' medical conditions and hopes to put most of the pups up for adoption soon.
Twin Cities coalition has raised nearly $1B to help Black homeowners, entrepreneurs
The GroundBreak Coalition launched about a year ago to raise $5.3 billion over the next decade and close racial wealth disparities in the Twin Cities.
Mukhtar Ibrahim, who founded the Sahan Journal in St. Paul, announces he's stepping down as CEO
The online news organization has big plans to continue to grow, expanding coverage outside the Twin Cities and adding community events.
Judge allows Minnesota man convicted in Feeding Our Future case to go overseas
Liban Alishire said he needed to travel to Kenya to sell properties he bought in the Feeding Our Future scheme, so he can pay back restitution to the federal government.
Minnesota and Wisconsin domestic violence shelters brace for cuts
Minnesota and Wisconsin domestic violence shelters brace for a possible 40% decline in federal aid next year, which could spur layoffs and program closures.
Minnesota seeks to shut down nonprofits accused of defrauding federal meals program
Some of the organizations are tied to Feeding Our Future, the nonprofit at the center of a separate federal criminal investigation.
YWCA Minneapolis members push for public buyer to save fitness centers
The YWCA announced in August that it will close its downtown and Uptown fitness facilities and pools, part of a shift in focus away from health and fitness.
St. Paul & Minnesota Foundation honors four anti-racism advocates for their work
The foundation's Facing Race Award to recognize Minnesotans battling racism is in its 17th year.
Mike Lynch, acclaimed Minneapolis painter and 'one of the finest artists Minnesota ever produced,' dies at 85
His work is featured in art museums and galleries across Minnesota.
Shutdown would hurt America's food supply, ag secretary says
In many states, the WIC food program for mothers and children could collapse after only a day or two.
$10K grants to help 40 female nonprofit leaders combat burnout, courtesy of Women's Foundation
The Women's Foundation of Minnesota's new "Rest Up" grants for 40 women of color are part of a shift in philanthropy to fund self-care and well-being.
Survey: Almost all Minnesota nonprofits need workers, forcing cuts in services
More Minnesota nonprofits are reporting widespread job openings than nonprofits are facing nationwide.
Huge Improv Theater set to move into its own building for the first time in its history
The theater company bought the Lyndale Avenue building that houses Art Materials, which will lease space there.
Paddling Split Rock reveals hidden history of Lake Superior shipwreck
Kayaking near Split Rock State Park rewards visitors with a different vantage point and an up-close history lesson of the shipwreck that inspired Minnesota's iconic lighthouse.
Billionaire founder of Best Buy gives historic donations to Florida, Minnesota hospitals
Richard Schulze launched his Twin Cities foundation after he stepped down as CEO of Best Buy. Nearly 20 years later, it's grown to be the fourth largest private foundation in Minnesota.
Record $25 million gift will help upgrade Abbott Northwestern surgery, critical care capabilities
Best Buy founder Richard Schulze is pivoting his foundation away from medical research and funding projects like Abbott that improve health care access.
Twin Cities animal rescue has new name, expanded purpose: Helping owners keep pets
Secondhand Hounds is changing its name to reflect an expanded focus on pet owners and reducing the number of pets ending up in shelters.
St. Paul's annual Festival of Nations celebration ending after nearly 90 years
The four-day multicultural festival, which began in 1932, was last held in 2019 before the COVID-19 pandemic.
Minnesota nonprofits ditch the annual gala to appeal to younger generation of givers
They are trying new tactics to draw millennials, who have increased giving nationally.
