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Maplewood Community Fund outlines plans after earning 501(c)(3) status
Summary
Colleen Cunningham told the city council the newly formed Maplewood Community Fund received 501(c)(3) status in August, has completed organizational set-up, surveyed more than 20 local leaders and plans its first grantmaking cycle in spring 2025, prioritizing organizations that serve Maplewood residents.
Colleen Cunningham, chair of the Maplewood Community Fund, told the Maplewood City Council the nonprofit has completed its basic organization and is preparing to start grantmaking next year. "The mission of the Maplewood Community Fund is to raise and disseminate funds to enhance the health, well-being, and quality of life in Maplewood," Cunningham said.
The fund was incorporated in December 2022 and received federal 501(c)(3) status in August, she said. Cunningham described the group's early work as internal: adopting bylaws, recruiting board members and establishing policies. The board includes Maria Langston (vice chair), Pat Littlecox (director), Pat Norton (secretary), Dr. Mike Dietrich and Bessette Chaparral, she said.
Cunningham said the fund has surveyed more than 20 local leaders and service providers to identify priorities such as food security and utility assistance. The board's initial grantmaking model will prioritize grants to organizations that serve Maplewood residents rather than direct individual grants, and Cunningham said the group intends to announce its first grantmaking cycle in spring 2025.
On logistics, Cunningham said the fund has not yet accepted donations because it is finalizing financial arrangements; a bank account and related administrative steps are expected to be completed in the coming weeks. "We are opening up a bank account in a couple of weeks," she told council members, and staff said a post office box is in use in the interim.
Council members asked whether the fund would name fundraising targets and whether organizations outside Maplewood could be eligible. Cunningham said the fund has discussed target-setting with development professionals and will prioritize projects and organizations that directly serve Maplewood residents, though it may consider outside entities that provide competitive programs for Maplewood constituents.
Next steps: Cunningham said the fund plans more public outreach (social media and documents) and an in-person open house in spring, and offered to share the cleaned survey results with the council following a mid-November meeting where the board will analyze its data.
The council did not take action on the presentation; it was received for information.
