Recent content from Kelly Smith
Records show meals program was ripe for fraud in Minnesota
Federal audits show that Minnesota's Education Department has been repeatedly cited for lapses since 2012.
Minnesota senator: 'Something failed' with meal program
Sen. Roger Chamberlain says Education Department could have taken stronger action as far back as 2018.
FBI fraud allegations spur new scrutiny on Minn. nonprofits
New legislation would ban newly formed nonprofits and nonprofits with elected officials on their boards from receiving state grants.
AmeriCorps program aims to boost state's public health workforce
The new Minnesota Public Health Corps is looking for 150 Minnesotans to work for a year in local public health departments and other organizations.
![Feeding Our Future’s offices a week after FBI agents raided the St. Anthony nonprofit. ] SHARI L. GROSS shari.gross@startribune.com](https://chorus.stimg.co/23200921/merlin_66351483.jpg?h=120&w=180&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)
Judge to oversee dissolution of Minnesota nonprofit Feeding Our Future
The St. Anthony nonprofit voluntarily agreed to close down in February after the FBI raided its offices in January.
Giving by Minnesota foundations remains high after 2020 surge
According to a new survey, Minnesota foundation grants are estimated to stay nearly flat in 2022, but at a level 22% higher than 2019.
St. Paul meal provider appeals state funding suspension
Partners in Nutrition made its case Thursday to an internal appeals panel at the Education Department, hoping to overturn the department's suspension of funding.
Second MDE official defends oversight of meals program: 'Our risk activities worked'
CFO says department doesn't have investigative authority but reported concerns early to federal authorities and stopped payments to meal providers before a judge ordered payments to resume.
This beautiful pink beach on Lake Superior has a special history in Minnesota
Iona's Beach stands out from the iconic gray rocky shoreline of the North Shore. But it's more than the color of its rocks that makes this site unique.
Joseph Brown, longtime Minneapolis educator at Anwatin, dies at 51
Mr. Brown, as he was known by generations of students, was a dean, athletic director and coach at Anwatin Middle School for more than two decades.
Minnesota food shelves seeking boost in donations as hunger projected to rise
As COVID relief ebbs and living costs rise, they are rallying for more support.
Philanthropist MacKenzie Scott awards more than $48M to six Minnesota nonprofits
For all the organizations, the surprise donations are the most money they've ever received from one donor.
MacKenzie Scott gives record $13.5 million grant to Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity
It's part of a larger $436 million grant from Scott, an author and ex-wife of Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos.
VFW nonprofit required to improve oversight after former leader stole charitable funds
The Department of Minnesota Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Charitable Association, an arm of the Minnesota VFW, has lost $40,000 in the theft.
Third provider of meals to needy kids is barred from program
Youth Leadership Academy, a newly formed Minneapolis nonprofit, was the top provider in Minnesota of summer meals last year — reporting dishing out 7 million meals.
Minnesota food shelf visits down from peak in 2021, but aid cuts could spur rebound
Loss of federal COVID aid, extra child tax credit will affect families this year.
Feeding Our Future fraud investigation casts scrutiny on Minnesota nonprofit oversight
A Republican seeking to unseat Attorney General Keith Ellison is criticizing his office for not doing enough to oversee Minnesota nonprofits.
Minnesota AG's Office seeks court supervision of Feeding Our Future closure
The nonprofit, which is being investigated by the FBI, announced last week it would dissolve. Now, the state agency wants court oversight of the process to prevent any fraud of its remaining assets.
What to know about the fraud investigation into Minnesota nonprofit Feeding Our Future
According to FBI search warrants unsealed so far, investigators allege at least $48 million in federal nutrition aid was spent on lavish trips, luxury homes and other personal expenses.
Feeding Our Future dissolves amid FBI probe over federal nutrition money
The FBI investigation started last May, and the organization hasn't been able to operate since January when its assets were frozen.
Fraud allegations in federal nutrition program spur questions about nonprofit boards' oversight
Unlike corporate boards or college and university boards, laws give more protection to unpaid volunteers who serve on Minnesota's more than 9,000 nonprofit boards.
Minnesota Department of Education seeks to end nutrition contract with second nonprofit
The department wants to terminate its contract with Partners in Quality Care. The St. Paul-based organization plans to appeal.
Legislators call for audit of Minnesota Department of Education over alleged nonprofit fraud
Four Republican state senators are requesting an audit of the Education Department and its oversight of St. Anthony nonprofit Feeding Our Future.
Leader of Twin Cities nonprofit raided by FBI defends organization
Aimee Bock of Feeding Our Future said the investigation of her nonprofit is retribution for a lawsuit against the state Department of Education and that she's done nothing wrong.
After record year, Market Bucks program for low-income Minnesotans expands this spring
The statewide program, which offers incentives for Minnesotans on food stamps to purchase fresh, locally grown foods, landed a federal grant that will double its budget this year.
Minn. nonprofits angered by fraud allegations at St. Anthony organization
Documents allege Feeding Our Future funneled government money into jewelry, trips to Vegas, among other personal expenses.
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.
