Mayo awards $70K in grants to Olmsted County nonprofits working to address racial equity – Med City Beat

Mayo Clinic announced Tuesday it will be awarding a total of $70,000 in grants to six Olmsted County nonprofits all of which are committed to addressing equity, diversity, and inclusion.

Funding for the grants will come from Mayos newly-established EverybodyIN Fund for Change. Last summer, Mayo staff contributed nearly $89,000 to the fund to support efforts to advance racial equity.

A match from Mayo, according the announcement, brought the funds total to $200,000. That money is now being shared with 36 total organizations in communities across Arizona, Florida, Minnesota, and Wisconsin.

Related: Looking to 'close the door on racism,' Mayo commits $100 million to inclusion efforts

Among the organizations here in Olmsted County to receive funding is Sports Mentorship Academy, a program aimed at helping students with untapped-potential take responsibility for their future through lessons learned through sports, in the classroom, and in service to others.

The grant money from Mayo, the announcement says, will go toward a community liaison who will be a bridge between the Black community and law enforcement to build trust and decrease tension

Other programs selected to receive funding include:

Hope Fuse for its Spark and North Star programs. These programs promote youth achievement and a stronger sense of belonging and self-empowerment through one-on- one mentorship. The program serves children, 9-15, of underrepresented racial and ethnic groups.

Hispanic Advocacy and Community Empowerment Through Research to establish a Rochester-area COVID-19 resource hotline for Spanish speakers.

Rochester Area Nonprofit Consortium to support a cross-sectional, racial equity task force to assist local nonprofit organizations in advancing their equity goals.

United Way of Olmsted County for Culturally Powered Communities, an initiative to strengthen culturally-specific community organizations to have greater capacity to serve diverse community members.

Project Legacy for Project Empower, a program to provide mentorship, personal empowerment, and academic and professional development to 17-28 year-olds of color who are experiencing challenges.

Cover photo: file / William Forsman

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Mayo awards $70K in grants to Olmsted County nonprofits working to address racial equity - Med City Beat