Recent content from Kelly Smith
Feds investigate nonprofit Feeding Our Future for alleged fraud
The FBI says the St. Anthony-based nonprofit was part of a broad scheme to defraud the USDA of millions, funneling money from federally funded child nutrition programs to an array of entities to launder the money and use it for personal real estate, cars and other luxury items.
Twin Cities nonprofits face critical shortages of volunteers amid omicron surge
Some nonprofits are scaling back programs or turning to their own staff to work more due to shrinking volunteer ranks.
St. Paul nonprofit Sahan Journal awarded $1.2 million grant from American Journalism Project
Sahan Journal is the first nonprofit news organization in Minnesota that the American Journalism Project has funded.
Minnesota Central Kitchen reaches 2 million meals, dishing up food for people in need
The effort, which began at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, pays Minnesota chefs and restaurant workers to prepare meals for those who need them.
New AmeriCorps program to help welcome Afghan refugees to Minnesota
AmeriCorps members will help about 750 Afghan refugees arriving in Minnesota in the next two months.
Minnesota nonprofits grapple with closures in the New Year
More than 300 nonprofits have closed in Minnesota during the COVID-19 pandemic, but the number of closures so far isn't a significant uptick from pre-pandemic.
Former Catholic convent opens as a new shelter for families in St. Paul
Project Home opened at the Provincial House in St. Paul to help address the housing crisis in Ramsey County.
Bush Foundation awarding $100M to narrow racial wealth gaps
Nexus Community Partners in St. Paul and NDN Collective in Rapid City, S.D., will help design and operate grant programs for Black and Native Americans.
Minnesota nonprofits look for new ways to diversify their volunteer ranks
A statewide advocacy organization is pushing to re-examine how to broaden the base of organizations.
Minnesota nonprofits assist with the Southern, Midwestern tornado aftermath
The local Red Cross has sent 19 volunteers from Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota to help Kentucky, Missouri and Arkansas tornado victims.
Anonymous donor drops $4,000 in Twin Cities Salvation Army red kettles
The Twin Cities Salvation Army has dubbed the mysterious philanthropist "St. Grand" for dropping $1,000 in the red kettles for 11 years in a row.
Staff shortages hit nonprofits in the 'Great Resignation'
Local nonprofits are struggling to draw job applicants, looking for new ways to offer incentives to attract and retain employees.
Roseville-based Salvation Army helps incarcerated parents give Christmas gifts to their children
The Salvation Army is resuming its special Toy Lift program, which was canceled last year due to COVID-19.
Walk among Minnesota's oldest and largest pines in this ancient forest that survived by mistake
The Lost 40 is one of the few places left in Minnesota where you can walk among giants — towering centuries-old pines.
Kathy Boone, longtime special education teacher at Groves Academy, dies at 70
Boone was a founding board member at Cristo Rey Jesuit High School in Minneapolis.
Amid national toy shortage, Minnesota nonprofits seek donations for kids in need
Annual Twin Cities toy drives are navigating a second pandemic holiday season as well.
Minnesotans cautiously resume Thanksgiving celebrations despite spike in COVID cases
The second Turkey Day during the pandemic showed we're not yet fully back to pre-pandemic holiday festivities.
Where Minnesotans in need can find a free Thanksgiving meal in the Twin Cities
Here is a sampling of some Twin Cities spots offering free Thanksgiving meals for Minnesotans in need.
With Thanksgiving coming, Minnesota nonprofits are struggling to cope with a national shortage of turkeys
Nonprofits that provide food for people in need are struggling with rising food costs and supply-chain issues causing shortages.
Minnesota food shelf visits slightly under record high in 2020, but edging up again
Food shelves say requests for help are spiking again as other extra help wanes.
Minnesota nonprofits top $34 million in donations on Give to the Max Day
It's a record in the 13 years of the statewide giving "holiday."
Minnesota nonprofits hit hard by COVID-19 make pitch to donors ahead of annual Give to the Max Day
Experts say donations are still higher than before the COVID-19 pandemic.
Salvation Army adds Venmo and Paypal as options for online giving amid the COVID-19 pandemic
The red kettles are back for the holiday season but the Salvation Army is also encouraging more online donations
Man shot and killed in north Minneapolis; suspect arrested after attempted carjacking
The suspect was initially apprehended by We Push for Peace, a community outreach group.
![Voters emerge from Sabathani Community Center after casting their ballots during municipal elections Tuesday, Nov. 2, 2021, in Minneapolis, Minn.] DAV](https://chorus.stimg.co/22990368/ows_6dc0456b_777e_4b1d_8854_948fdb7a85c0.jpg?h=120&w=180&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)
Minneapolis hits record for turnout in a municipal election, with 54% of voters casting ballots
It's the third consecutive increase for a city election.
Minneapolis voters elect seven new commissioners to Park Board
Just two incumbents will be returning in January.
Four Minneapolis council members who backed replacing police ousted, new progressives elected
Another four incumbents who supported the policing overhaul were re-elected.
At least two incumbents appeared on the verge of losing Minneapolis Park Board seats
All nine seats of the board were up for election, with 23 hopefuls running. Board of Estimate & Taxation races were too close to call.
Minneapolis voters head to polls for a historic Election Day
Officials predict the election — which has drawn national attention and is the first city election since Minneapolis police killed George Floyd — may surpass records for turnout.
Minneapolis mayoral candidates differ over how to handle future unrest
Candidates running for mayor's job say he mishandled the response to 2020 unrest. Frey said it gave him experience to handle future crises.
Minneapolis mayoral candidates begin last week of campaigns with WCCO-TV debate
The four candidates are among 17 people vying for the mayoral position.
Minneapolis likely surpasses early voting record
With near record number of candidates and three ballot questions, the city could be on the verge of historic high voter turnout ahead of in-person voting on Nov. 2.
![Council Member Cam Gordon (left) and Council Member Kevin Reich (right) attend a City Council meeting in July 2018. ] Shari L. Gross • shari.gross@s](https://chorus.stimg.co/22944794/ows_e76460b3_62cc_479f_aaf6_425dd8ec6ca5.jpg?h=120&w=180&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)
Newcomers vie to unseat Mpls. council members Gordon and Reich
Cam Gordon and Kevin Reich are seeking fifth and fourth City Council terms.
Minneapolis council candidate faces scrutiny over residency
Mickey Moore said he's long lived in the Eighth Ward but is now leasing an apartment in the Ninth to meet residency rules.
![A packed room for the Minneapolis City Council meeting to vote to approve the 2040 Comprehensive Plan in 2018.] LEILA NAVIDI ¥ leila.navidi@startribu](https://chorus.stimg.co/22926540/ows_f3705ce8_8965_4a46_b688_16098542bc9c.jpg?h=120&w=180&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)
Affordable housing among key issues in south Minneapolis City Council races
Incumbents face 10 challengers in 3 council races.
![City question 2 addresses the issue of a municipal police department or department of public safety.] ANTHONY SOUFFLE • anthony.souffle@startribune.](https://chorus.stimg.co/22896439/ows_8af77322_136e_490d_8171_c65a76aa5bb9.jpg?h=120&w=180&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)
Philanthropic foundations support groups advocating on both sides of Minneapolis' policing debate
Local philanthropies find themselves tied to both sides of policing debate.
New Minneapolis nonprofit launches LGBTQ mentoring program, one of few in U.S.
New nonprofit Queerspace Collective fills a crucial void in LGBTQ mentoring programs.
Poll: Most Minneapolis voters want reform, not fewer cops
Most city residents, white and Black, have an unfavorable view of the department, and Black voters overwhelmingly oppose officer cuts.
St. Cloud's riverside gardens are a 'crown jewel' of central Minnesota — and they're open to all
Munsinger Gardens is the only public garden in Minnesota that hugs the shoreline of the Mississippi River.
Minneapolis elections highlight divide between progressive, moderate Democrats
Fractures reflect a broader gap across Minnesota and nationwide as the Democratic establishment faces intense competition from a newly energized and insurgent progressive wing of the party.
Delta variant hits at bad time for some Minn. nonprofits
As virus cases increase, some nonprofits are canceling in-person events or implementing new safety protocols.
Settlement reached with nonprofit aiding vets in alleged violation of charitable giving laws
Pain Free Patriots, Minnesota AG settle allegations that pain-relief grants benefited group's founder.
St. Paul-based Center for Victims of Torture names new CEO
Simon Adams will lead the Center for Victims of Torture, starting in October.
Minnesota nonprofits rally to support Haiti after deadly earthquake
After devastating quake, Minnesotans rally to help.
Nonprofit teams with Minnesota's Red Lake Nation to boost culturally-specific animal welfare programs
Goal is to diversify the animal welfare industry by supporting communities of color.
Wisconsin military base prepares to house Afghan refugees
Fort McCoy is one of three U.S. military bases the government is considering housing thousands of Afghan refugees.
Minnesota prepares for influx of refugees seeking safety in U.S.
As Minnesotans with ties to Afghanistan scramble to help family and friends trapped by the turmoil, local groups are stepping up to help.
Nancy Nordgren, relentlessly upbeat Star Tribune copy editor, dies at 66
Stereotypes of a cynical journalist didn't fit her.
![AmeriCorps volunteers organized and worked on distributing boxes of free food from the Harding High School parking lot in July 2020 in St. Paul. ]](https://chorus.stimg.co/22772523/ows_ed6814b2_236a_4e0c_9766_ee849a7043f9.jpg?h=120&w=180&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)
New AmeriCorps program in Minnesota created to respond to housing crisis
The new program still has openings for 85 AmeriCorps members.
Lee's historic gold-medal win honored in St. Paul parade
The parade was a jubilant homecoming to mark Suni Lee's inspirational achievement as the first Asian and Hmong American Olympic gold medal winner in history, which has reverberated across the country.
New north Minneapolis futsal league unites kids by reinventing pay-for-play sports model
The Sol of the Cities league, which ends Sunday, brings together more than 120 kids ages 8 to 16 from across the Twin Cities, coached by volunteers.
Twin Cities United Way's declining revenue slowed in 2020 as nonprofit faced needs in pandemic
United Way was seeing a drop in workplace giving campaigns pre-pandemic, and COVID accelerated the drop. But other revenue offset it.
Salvation Army, United Way school supply drives back on after pause for COVID
The large nonprofits are among many across Minnesota aiming to collect more school supplies to meet the need.
Push for charitable giving reforms divides Minnesota nonprofits, foundations
A U.S. Senate bill mirrors a national push for charitable tax reforms.
Wilder Research head Paul Mattessich announces retirement
Mattessich will retire in 2022 after four decades with the St. Paul nonprofit.
Authorities recover body from Mississippi River in Minneapolis
Authorities recovered a body from the Mississippi River in Minneapolis on Monday night.Minneapolis firefighters and the Hennepin County Sheriff's Office Water Patrol Unit responded to…
Police investigate homicide in St. Paul's Mac-Groveland
St. Paul police are investigating a homicide after a man was found shot multiple times in a vehicle Monday in the Macalester-Groveland neighborhood.
High construction prices hit Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity
Economy forces Habitat for Humanity to scale back projects
Protesters demand Minneapolis attorney drops charges after more than 600 people were arrested last November
More than 600 people were arrested on I-94, most of which carry misdemeanor charges.
George Family Foundation in Minneapolis names new leader
The foundation started by former Medtronic CEO Bill George and his wife Penny has named a new president, the second person who is not a…
State doesn't inspect condos, but building codes are 'robust'
Some Minnesota officials are fielding calls after the Miami condo collapse, but bigger challenges here include snow load and fire.
![Fresh produce offered by Mary Le from her stand on the Nicollet Mall.] JEFF WHEELER • Jeff.Wheeler@startribune.com](https://chorus.stimg.co/22705795/ows_17de389d_7643_4c8c_892e_4aebdc2f87e1.jpg?h=120&w=180&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)
Market Bucks program for low-income Minnesotans wins state funding
The $325K program encourages patronage of farmers markets by low-income Minnesotans.
Minnesota Council of Nonprofits announces new executive director
Nonoko Sato is the second executive director in the council's three decades, succeeding Jon Pratt.
New coalition boosts activities to keep North Side kids safe, active
It's been a tough year. A new North Commons Park program is here to help with summer games.
New Hudson food bank aims to meet growing need for food in western Wisconsin
The food bank will purchase food from Second Harvest Heartland to help stock its shelves.
YWCA Minneapolis names University of Minnesota attorney as new CEO
The Minneapolis nonprofit's new leader, Shelley Carthen Watson, starts Aug. 9.
Minnesota nonprofits shift to hybrid fall fundraisers, offering both online and in-person galas or events
Online, in-person combined events will be the norm this fall, and possibly for good.
Sentence is not based on emotion or public opinion, judge says
"You have our sympathies," Cahill tells Floyd family.
Former officer Derek Chauvin gives condolences to George Floyd's family in brief statement
Chauvin has "played over and over in his head the events of that day," his mother, Carolyn Pawlenty, said.
'Our family is forever broken,' George Floyd's family says at sentencing
Jurors convicted former officer Derek Chauvin on April 20.
Minnesota police departments hand out vouchers instead of tickets for broken car lights thanks to a Minneapolis nonprofit
Expanded MicroGrants program aims to repair lights and relationships.
![Fresh produce offered by Mary Le from her stand on the Nicollet Mall. ] JEFF WHEELER • Jeff.Wheeler@startribune.com The Nicollet Mall farmer�](https://chorus.stimg.co/22664629/ows_745cc29f_00f6_4e35_9a1c_7a9f4c4d1fff.jpg?h=120&w=180&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)
Nonprofits lobby Legislature to fund program that helps low-income residents buy at farmers' markets
Market Bucks, which helps low-income Minnesotans buy fresh foods at farmers' markets, runs out of funding June 30.
Salvation Army launches summer fundraiser, rappelling down Mall of America roof
The Salvation Army has seen more donations during the pandemic but said more is needed to meet rising demands.
Sweet news: The Minnesota State Fair will be back this year
Attendance won't be limited and masks won't be required.
