Strategic Children & Youth Grantmaking

Strategic Children & Youth Grantmaking

Great MN Schools: We partner with Great MN Schools because we know schools matter & change lives. We’ve seen that all children can achieve when allowed to attend a great school. A great school is an all-welcoming, vibrant place where teachers and school leaders are engaged and supported. Parents are valued partners, and rigorous and relevant education is provided for all. Unfortunately, in Minneapolis, many students attend schools unable to provide them with a quality education, denying them the same educational opportunities as others. Disparities in school experiences, expectations, and outcomes are all too common.

Great MN Schools is:

  • Helping build more schools that work, where school leaders have a strong vision and are empowered to lead. Students have consistent access to high-quality instruction and grade-appropriate curricula. The learning experience meets their diverse academic, social-emotional, and cultural needs.
  • Helping parents find and access great schools through Minneapolis School Finder
  • Partnering with the community to build support for great schools that will be the cornerstone of a just and thriving community

ALIVE: Creating Trauma-Informed Schools
Carolyn learned of the Alive program on at site visit in New Haven, CT when it had been highly successful in improving school climate and building resilience in students who have experience significant trauma. Knowing that schools and children in Minneapolis faced the same issues we invited Alive share their program in Minneapolis. Carolyn Foundation, the Sauer Family Foundation and Alive have partnered to introduce the program at The Mastery School in Minneapolis. In addition, three other schools in the Twin Cities have launched this program – all with promising results.

Minnesota Institute for Trauma Informed Education: Carolyn Foundation is proud be a founding supporter of Minnesota Institute for Trauma Informed Education (MITIE) at the University of St. Thomas.

The goal is to develop, support, and advance the field of trauma-informed and trauma-engaged education. The institute seeks to provide an arena for scholars, practitioners, and researchers to convene and learn about the latest practices in trauma-informed education. The focus will be on the following:

  • Establishing a sustainable model for trauma-informed and trauma-engaged education
  • Conducting trainings, workshops, webinars, conferences, and seminars to expand the knowledge basis of trauma-informed education
  • Creating a pipeline of teachers, social workers, and professionals who are knowledgeable about trauma-informed and trauma-engaged education
  • Scaling the number of schools that adopt trauma-informed approaches