Nonprofit Mission Award for
RESPONSIVE PHILANTHROPY

THE FREY FOUNDATION, Minneapolis

Frey Foundation’s mission as an independent, private, grantmaking foundation is to act as a catalyst in strengthening its community by investing in a statewide plan to end homelessness. Established in 1985, the Foundation now has the combined effort from three generations of the Frey Family. Through direct giving of over $48 million, Frey Foundation has promoted self-sufficiency and creative change that has resulted in community members reaching their full potential and has improved the quality of life for all.

In February 2006, Frey Foundation announced they would commit $5 million dollars over five years to aid the end of long-term homelessness, which was defined as more than 1 year of continuous homelessness or 4 stints of homelessness over the course of 3 years. In 2009, Frey Foundation committed a second $5 million to ending homelessness. Through involvement with the Minnesota Business Plan to End Long-Term Homelessness, Frey Foundation has allotted funds for general operating expenses to the Family Housing Fund, the Greater Minnesota Housing Fund and Corporation of Supportive Housing, and additional funds to the Partners Fund for distribution through the Partners Fund process. Frey Foundation still continues to allocate the bulk of the funding themselves, but by the time $10 million is distributed by the Foundation, $2.25 million will have been distributed through the Partners Fund. The Partners Fund is where members of the community decide what will work best for their communities, ultimately opening the Foundation to new ideas and ways to focus their funding.

Their contribution to eliminating long-term homelessness, however, does not only exist in monetary terms. Jim Frey, co-chair of the Steering Committee of Heading Home Minnesota, has been instrumental in bringing other philanthropic, faith-based and business leaders to the cause. By speaking at a number of events, his advocacy and the advocacy from Frey Foundation as a whole, has provided the necessary momentum to make homelessness initiatives gain momentum.

Visit The Frey Foundation: www.freyfoundationmn.org

 
 

 


 


The Minnesota Nonprofit Awards are a joint project of the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits and MAP for Nonprofits.

Minnesota Council of Nonprofits
2314 University Avenue West, Suite 20
Saint Paul, Minnesota 55114
651-642-1904
info@mncn.org

MAP for Nonprofits
2314 University Avenue West, Suite 28
Saint Paul, Minnesota 55114
651-647-1216