The Minnesota Nonprofit Awards, presented by Map for Nonprofits and the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits, are given in the following categories: Innovation, Anti-Racism Initiative, Advocacy, Responsive Philanthropy, and Excellence. View the criteria for each category, FAQs, videos of past recipients, and more.

Nominate or apply by May 14, 2010.

Shades Of Yellow, the first Hmong organization for LGBTQ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer) held its first fundraiser last week at Wilder Foundation, drawing more than a hundred supporters.

Oskar Ly, vice chair, welcomed guests and said SOY is excited to hold its first fundraiser and now has a full board of directors to help guide the organization outreach and work they do in the social justice area.

“This means a lot to us and we don’t take this for granted for a single day at all,” said Ly.

Congratulations to SOY on a successful fundraising event!

I recently chatted with District 202 Executive Director Curt Prins. He mentioned SOY as a group that District 202 is eager to work further with. I can’t stress (and probably don’t need to tell you) how important it is that groups like SOY exist. People find strength in connecting with others with whom they identify.

Coming up, SOY is celebrating the New Year and crowning Mr./Miss SOY 2010. Saturday, January 23, 2010 from 4-8pm and after party from 8-10pm at PROM CENTER in Oakdale/Woodbury, MN. Cash Bar available all night. Building’s capacity is 400, but there will only be 350 seats available so come early to reserve a seat.

American Airlines debuts BlackAtlas.com, a travel networking site focused on the African American travel experience. From the press release:

American Airlines announced today it is launching a first-of-its-kind social networking site, BlackAtlas.com(SM), which combines the best features of a travel site with the power of social networking to create a dynamic online community for travelers to share experiences unique to the black community.

(via @negrophile)

By Deb Pleasants, TC Daily Planet
April 22, 2009

On the day MayKao Hang married, her father told her she was no longer part of their [the Yang] clan. She now belonged to the Hang clan–her husband’s clan. She recalls her father saying, your mother’s womb is what you borrowed. Then he told Hang that her new mother-in-law was now her mother. Hang remembers his words made her cry.

When a girl marries, she ceases to be part of her birth family and becomes part of her husband’s family and his clan. Hmong women have very little power within the clan structure and if a woman is in an abusive relationship, she usually has nowhere to turn for help. It is that sense of powerlessness Hang has made it her mission to change.

“The pressures felt by Hmong girls and women are tremendous,” said Hang.

Hang, 36, knows she is not like most Hmong women. Rather than abide by the staunchly patriarchal belief system prevalent in Hmong culture, she chose to follow her dreams. She received a full scholarship to Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island and earned a BA in Psychology. After returning to Saint Paul, she received a Masters of Arts in Public Affairs from the Humphrey Institute. Now she is a student in Hamline University’s Public Administration Program, in pursuit of her doctoral degree. In the Hmong community, this makes her atypical.

“Girls are not encouraged to pursue education… They aren’t even told they can have dreams,” Hang said.

Hang is the Director of Children and Family Services at Wilder Foundation, where she works with troubled families on St. Paul’s East Metro area–the hub of the Hmong community in Minnesota. In addition, she is one of the co-founders of Hnub Tshiab: Hmong Women Achieving Together; an organization working to end the sexism and violence that subjugates Hmong women and girls. Confronting deeply entrenched attitudes is challenging; however, Hang believes valuing Hmong women as individuals will strengthen the entire Hmong community.

Both personally and professionally, Hang strives to show Hmong girls and women that they do have a voice and it deserves to be heard. Because of her dedication, Hang will be honored with the Ann Bancroft Foundation’s prestigious Dream Maker Award later this month.

Just as Ann Bancroft’s Antarctic explorations have inspired many women to take risks in pursuit of their dreams, the Ann Bancroft Foundation recognizes others who “encourage and support the achievements of girls and women” with their Dream Maker award. Each year, ABF selects four Minnesotans who help girls and women reach their full potential as the recipients of the Dream Maker Award. The foundation has bestowed this honor on behalf of Ann Bancroft for the past 12 years.

Hang will join the three other Minnesotans as the honored guests at ABF’s annual Gala on April 29. She sees the award as confirmation of her life’s work. She also feels receiving an award of this caliber to be a humbling experience.

“It’s a big award… It meant a lot to be recognized by friends and colleagues,” said Hang.

This recognition also affords Hang with the opportunity to share with the larger community why she is determined to change the Hmong patriarchal system.

Hang arrived in Minnesota when she was six years old, after first spending two years in Milwaukee. She has memories of her family running for their lives from the soldiers in Laos. Terrified they would be captured or killed, the only way they avoided the soldiers was by hiding in a village of lepers.

As horrific as her life was in Laos, Hang says her experiences are not unlike most refugees and does not believe it is the motivation behind her need to help women. That desire comes from witnessing how the Hmong clan system uniformly relegates girls to second-class status.

Within the Hmong community, people are beholden to both their immediate family and their clan. A clan is anyone who shares a common ancestry; that ancestry is traced through the father’s lineage. Thus, anyone with the same last name is part of the same clan.

In the Hmong community, male leaders have the power to arrange marriage, settle disputes and address social justice issues. Girls leave their birth family and join their husband’s clan; boys remain within their birth clan. Because of this, Hmong families believe it is a waste of financial resources to educate their girls; however, educating the boys is considered a wise investment.

“It shouldn’t be that you should ration your investment,” said Hang.

One member of her clan did invest in her. Hang’s aunt from California sent her $20 to help her as she struggled financially at college. Her aunt, who had never attended college herself, understood Hang deserved recognition.

Hang never forgot her aunt’s generous act. Years later Hang flew her aunt’s three daughters from California to live with her in Saint Paul while her aunt recovered from a stroke. During their stay, Hang opened their eyes to a world with endless possibilities. Apparently, her investment paid off because now one of the girls is a sophomore in college.

Hang’s goal is not to dismantle the Hmong culture; she actually holds the clan structure in high regard. However, she hopes over time the clan structure will adapt to become more inclusive for women because women need to have a voice at the table. Hang believes seeing women as peers rather than subordinates will enhance the Hmong community.

“It doesn’t mean going against Hmong culture. It could mean embracing culture. We living today have the power to redefine culture everyday,” said Hang.

Deb Pleasants worked as a probation officer for 15 years prior to becoming a stay-at-home-mom. In addition to caring for her son, she is a freelance writer and citizen journalist. She resides in St. Paul with her family.

The Twin Cities Media Alliance is hosting a celebration of local ethnic and community media Friday, December 5 from 6 to 8:30 p.m. in the Black Forest Inn’s banquet room, next door to the restaurant at 26th and Nicollet Ave., Minneapolis. It’s a chance to meet and network with local grassroots journalists and other local media folk, and sample the global flavors of Eat Street. There will be a brief program at 7 p.m. honoring the winners of the first Minnesota Community and Ethnic Media Awards, sponsored by TCMA and New America Media.

An assortment of appetizers from Eat Street restaurants and markets will be served, with wine, beer and non-alcoholic beverages available.

A minimum donation of $15 is requested; donations for wine and beer will be collected separately.

Space is limited. To reserve tickets, please send a check payable to TCMA, 2600 E. Frankin #2, Minneapolis, MN. 55406. To pay by credit card, please register here.

For more information, please contact TCMA operations manager Emily Pearson Ryan at 612-436-9188, or by email: emily@tcdailyplanet.net.

You can RSVP on facebook, but you need to actually buy your ticket online. You can make the suggested donation of $15, or you can pony up $50 to make TCMA Benefactor Donation.

I’ll be there! Come say hi.

sucks for the community, but no matter how strongly I feel about gay pride, I’d have a hard time throwing good money after bad to bail out somebody who made such and egregiously bad business decision.

(I think that guy might be a Republican.) (Hi, Geoff!)

To which I said:

To most people, it’s not about supporting someone who made a bad business decision. It’s about supporting someone who made the only deal they could because it was important to them to provide a service to an underserved community. The impact Pi has had in the community is not just providing a place for lesbians to get drunk and dance. It’s been so many things to so many between fundraisers and theme nights and space for other groups’ events. If it ultimately can’t be saved, is the community better for it having been there as opposed to there having been nothing at all for the last 1.5 years? Yes.

Andy Birkey has more in that same vein.

Pi has been an important community space for a number of events. OutFront hosted Bible Self-Defense Training there. There have been several workshops on combating racism and classism in the LGBT community. Many LGBT sports teams have been given access to the space to raise funds. Minnesota Soul Essence, the LGBT people of color and friends Pride celebration was held there. The bar has opened its doors and raised $40,000 for various community causes.

They’ve got great food, six pool tables and great music on the dance floor. They open up their walls to local artists.

There are plenty of reasons open your wallets to keep Pi in business.

It’s not just about the money. Yeah, making smart business decisions helps you stay around longer, but sometimes you just have to do what you have to do.

In the mean time, there’s one last week (that’s this week) worth of great events.

Thursday, we are having a special dildo bingo for Pi (this is for our final payroll and vendors and hopefully to go toward some of that huge debt that will remain for me when Pi closes.) Friday, Maria Isa and The Credentials are playing. Saturday will be a long line-up of djs from Pi’s past, and we will be auctioning off the murals (interior) in pieces as well as some other stuff. It will likely be pretty jumping on Saturday. This Wednesday is our final karaoke as well.

The Daily Planet has a pretty good story on the community’s reaction.

Following: FAQs answered and “Why I think it’s in the best interest of queer non-profits for Pi to be saved.”

FROM THE OWNER OF PI BAR: TARA YULE

Thank you for the amazing response Pi Bar has received thus far. Pledges and donations are increasing by the hour. Not surprisingly, people have some questions about what these donations mean.

Question #1: What do I get?
- Satisfaction of contributing to an important venue for our community.

Question #2: Am I buying a share in a property or a business?
- No. These are donations, gifts without expectation of a tangible return.

Question #3: Joni said something about “community owned”, what does she mean by that?
- What she meant was, the end result would be that we all came together as a community to save a concept and a space for the whole community.

Question #4: If I give money, am I donating to a non-profit and is my donation tax-deductible?
- No.

Question #5: What about VIP perks for contribution?
- We want to be able to thank all donors. Some ideas for gifts might include VIP passes for free admission to events. It may include some drink tickets or special VIP only events. It may include some sort of commemorative display in the bar. Levels of donation are antithetical to Pi’s philosophy. Any amount of gift will be appreciated and it is our intent to acknowledge all.

Question #5: What if not enough money is made to save the building, do I get my money back?
- Yes. The checks are being kept in a secure place and will not be cashed if we cannot save the building. If you want your actual check back, please attach a note with the check.

Question #6: What will Pi be if the building is saved?
- Pi will be much the same as it has grown to be. The culture and community will continue to grow. The work that we have done with the community will continue as long as Pi is in operation. Pi will still close Nov. 15th. If we can buy the building, we will reopen a short time later. We might spruce up the joint a little. We might rearrange our calendar and our hours slightly. Tara Yule will remain on in an administrative, managerial, and community building capacity. Many of the current staff will still be around. We will open with a renewed, strengthened, and expanded community vision.

“Why I think it’s in the best interest of queer non-profits for Pi to be saved…”

Dear Twin Cities GLBTQIA Community:

My name is Jessi Tebben and I am currently the coordinator of the Minneapolis Public Schools Out4Good program, a member of the MN School Outreach coalition which organizes the annual Q-Quest Youth Fest, and a member of the Host Home Advisory Council. I have been a youth worker and community organizer for over a decade now. I know firsthand how hard it is for grass-roots queer-focused community organizations to raise the funds needed to continue operations. For this reason, I’ve been a little torn about what I think about giving donations to a for-profit establishment- even one as great and community oriented at Pi bar. However, I’ve been doing a little soul searching and this is the place that I have personally come to in my heart and conscience about it.

I have personally decided to contribute financially towards the efforts to save Pi. Ironically, my reasoning has come down to the exact reason that I was at first hesitant. It is always difficult for queer community organizations to raise money, let alone during tough financial times such as these. I believe the existence of Pi uniquely leverages support for these organizations in three crucial ways:

1. Pi is a venue for community organizations to reach out to their natural audience: members of the GLBTQAI community. By being a community oriented business with community oriented values, the patrons of Pi learn about the efforts of community organizations and may be more likely to support them. Without this venue, these organizations lose important access to this natural audience.
2. Pi allows community organizations to use its space for fundraising and conscience raising events.
3. Pi and Smitten Kitten’s Dildo Bingo events allow grass-roots programs such as District 202, Host Home, The Transgender Health Coalition, The Trans Youth Support Network, YouthLink, the GLBT programs at Face-To-Face and the Q-Quest Youth Fest (to name only a few) to easily raise a few thousand dollars in one evening. Last year, Q-Quest Youth Fest was able to raise over $3000 at one of these events, enough for us to fund almost the entire day-long conference for around 100 young people. Using a more conservative estimate of $2000 per event, this would mean that through Pi and Smitten Kitten’s generosity, community organizations could raise over $24,000 per year through the Dildo Bingo events alone.

For these reasons, I intend to contribute towards the efforts to save Pi in addition to the contributions I was already planning to make to non-profit community based organizations this year. I believe that this “in addition to” part is extremely important. Most queer non-profit organizations have already been hit hard financially and it’s only going to get tougher over the coming years.

So do your own soul searching and decide what feels right to you. If you find that you agree, let’s work together to save Pi. Then let’s utilize the space that was saved and the community energy that was raised to continue to pull together and fight like hell for our non-profit community organizations.

With Great Hope In The Power Of Our Community;
Jessi Tebben

This is a personal note from the owner of Pi Bar, Tara Yule:

I have been overwhelmed by the response from our community to the news that Pi is closing. People have expressed their desire to come together to raise money toward the effort to retain this space for the community which it has served. Only weeks ago, the financial challenge seemed insurmountable. However, a significant amount of money has already been raised in an effort to save Pi’s building. In addition, other parties have emerged with potential, alternative, creative financing ideas that could bridge the shortfall if enough money is raised. Joni Thome is a good friend of mine and definitely Pi family. She’s a mom, a lawyer, a long time activist, and a great, caring person. She is one of the many people that have come forward to organize this endeavor. What she has to say sums up the sentiment of many that have come to me. Our ultimate goal is to preserve this space for the service of the community that it has worked to bring together and come to love. I invite you to read her words and consider the offer.

Here’s Joni’s letter:

Friends,

Most of you have probably heard by now that the Pi Bar will have to close its doors effective November 15th. This is to let you know that this does not need to happen and that I believe, it should not happen. Here is what is going on:

The Pi Bar and Restaurant:
I like to go to Pi and here is why.
This is the only place I have ever been where the sign “everyone welcome” speaks the truth about the establishment. Many in our communities have worked long and hard to bring different communities of color, culture, age, class, sexual orientation and gender identity together in one place – in 30 years in this community I have only witnessed two venues achieve that goal – Twin Cities Pride and Pi. And, Pi has done it in under two years! This is more than a bar, it’s a place that is rich in potential and one that is destined to become a community landmark. Last night I watched and celebrated the election results with my Seward and Longfellow neighbors, several punks, a group of children, postal workers, teachers, stay at home parents, students, lawyers, bankers, city and county workers, people who just lost their jobs and houses and so on – I was at Pi and the true community spirit could not have been more intense. Then again, this night was not all that different from other evenings at Pi – whether for Dildo Dingo, a Kid Dance Party, a neighborhood wine tasting or for a fundraiser, the community spirit is present at this place. We cannot let this unique and necessary space get away.

The Problem: Pi Bar owners, like any small business owners, had to take risks in their efforts to get the business started. One was to take the building on a contract for deed. That deed ballooned in September. Throughout the summer and in to the fall, Pi owners worked tirelessly in their efforts to obtain financing for the building. Obviously, this balloon came at a bad time in the life of US economy, we are not at our best. The building itself is valued over $600,000.00 and the current owner wants $600,000.00. If Pi cannot finance or raise that money by mid-month, it will take the necessary steps to ready the building to be retaken by the title owners. BUT, in the last week since Pi made it known that it would have to close, over $100,000.00 have been donated to the business.

The Solution: Make the building a community owned space – sort of like the Green Bay Packers. That is, private donors contribute dollars to bring the amount to be financed down to a manageable level or provide enough funds to purchase the building outright. Current Pi owner Tara Yule would then become the steward for the building. The Pi Bar and Restaurant would continue to operate consistent with its current philosophy and environment and, it would continue to be the space for fundraising and other events in our communities. The benefit to our communities and to each donor is not something that can be defined at this time. Management has tossed around ideas of VIP status and public recognition for contributions – contributions of $500.00 and more. I know that I will donate because I go to Pi because of what it has become and what it will continue to be in our community. We won’t have a chance like this again perhaps for a long, long time. You can become a proud “owner” of the Pi Bar and Community Center by sending all you can to:

Pi Bar
2532 25th Ave S
Minneapolis, MN 55406

In the unlikely event that not enough funds are raised to purchase the building, your check will not be cashed. If you want your check returned to you in this event, please send a note indicating the same along with the check.

Pass it on …

Joni M. Thome

Do what you can.

ADDITIONAL NOTE: Online payments are not currently being accepted because they are difficult to refund if the whole deal falls through. They are currently only able to accept checks as stated above. The plan is to return checks uncashed if enough funds are not collected.

Say it ain’t so!

Okay, so I’ll be the first to confess that I don’t actually go to Pi all that often. It’s not because I don’t like Pi. It’s because I’m old and I live out in the suburbs and I just don’t stay out like I used to.

But I absolutely believe in the space, community, and services they provide to the lesbians of the Twin Cities. That was a big gaping hole that was left after the Metro closed (the Town House notwithstanding).

Lawdy, tell me it’s just a rumor.

UPDATE: Andy is saying it’s true.

UPDATE #2: vita.mn has some deets.

Co-owner Tara Yule said she couldn’t get the refinancing needed to keep the south Minneapolis bar afloat. Pi opened in February 2007 as the gay bar scene’s only place dedicated to women. But it became much more than a lesbian bar, Yule said. “We made an effort to come out as more of a queer bar, one that was inclusive to the entire community,” she said. It also was a haven for live music, allying itself with the punk rock and hip-hop scenes. The bar raised thousands of dollars through community fundraisers (including its popular dildo bingo night). Yule and her staff have big party plans for the final weekend, starting with the last dildo bingo Nov. 13. On Nov. 15, they will auction off the bar’s elaborate murals, giving bargoers a chance to buy a piece of Pi. “I’m very sad,” Yule said. “But I’m very proud of this place. We did a lot of good community work and it was kind of magical.”

Has it really only been a year and a half? Seems longer. And who’s gonna fill that hole? What did they do wrong? Too ambitious? Is food and drinks and programming and trying to be everything to every niche of the community too much? Or is it just hard economic times? Regardless, it’s disappointing.

UPDATE #3: This message from Pi owner Tara Yule went out on November 4.

In April of 2006, my friend Benny and I were stocking shelves at a co-op and decided to open a bar. We believed that a large portion of our community was not being served by existing establishments. We single-mindedly set out to create a unique environment, that had, as its mission, a heart of inclusivity, a respect and admiration for self-expression, and a community spirit. With the help of some big-hearted contractors, an intricate mosaic of creative financing, an unwavering vision, and innumerable like-minded friends, Pi opened its doors to the public on February 9th, 2007. For the last two years Pi has evolved into a space and an experience that I will always be proud to have been a part of. We have become a community space for numerous and diverse community organizations to have events and fundraisers. We have become a space and a sanctuary for all forms of self expression and identity to feel comfortable, proud, sexy, and safe. We have become a place where one can truly experience diversity and perhaps work through some unknown discomfort surrounding it. Some people have found a home here and have found a level of comfort and acceptance that has allowed them to not tolerate compromise elsewhere in their lives. Pi has raised, itself, almost $40,000 for small, local charities through its own monthly Dildo Bingo and has helped other organizations and individuals raise over $100,000 within its walls. We have, since the beginning, been dedicated to local art and music. Perhaps most rewarding for me personally has been the family that Pi has created, mostly in the staff, but also including the extended Pi family of friends and regulars. I would like to express my eternal gratitude to the people who have worked here, dedicating themselves to an ideal of chosen family, tribe, and love. Pi’s staff is the most amazing, eclectic, dynamic, talented, passionate, and hot group of people I have ever had the privilege to know. They all went to war for me and it has been an honor to have achieved this with them. Due to colliding circumstances, Pi was unable to secure financing for this building, and will be forced to vacate by November 29th. Our last day of business will be Saturday, November 15th. Please join us, in these last weeks, celebrate all that Pi has been and has become. Come together as the true community that I know is possible. Queers, freaks, rebels, outlaws, artists, hipsters, gangsters, and geeks. Thank you for this unforgettable opportunity. Piluv now and forever, Tara Yule, unlikely and grateful owner of Pi Bar

I hope you find some value in what I have to offer here. My hope is that anyone who reads is willing to share their thoughts, opinions, and experience, either by commenting or by submitting an item for posting.

You know your experience, I know mine. Let’s each tell it in our own way.

And if you’re just passing through, feel free to say hello. Leave a comment below or shoot me an email.

$10,000 annually for HS Students: Ron Brown Scholars Program

The Ron Brown Scholars Program seeks African-American high school seniors to receive $10,000 annually for four years to attend an accredited four-year college or university in the US. Deadlines: November 1, 2008 and January 9, 2009. Mail application, transcripts and recommendation letters in one package.

For information, contact:
Ron Brown Program
1160 Pepsi Place, Suite 206
Charlottesville, Va. 22901
434-964-1588
info@ronbrown.org
ronbrown.org (About the program’s History)

There are 20 of these scholarships available. What’s interesting about this program is the community aspect amongst the scholars and the continuation of interaction and opportunity after the scholars have graduated from college.

Hear that kids? You will be networked up the ying yang and have the chance to give back to those who follow you. Do it.

(via The Dish)

I’ll be there, probably sans mask.

MAP for Nonprofits is in the process of broadening and deepening its pool of individuals interested in serving on area nonprofit Boards of Directors. If you are looking for a meaningful way to use your professional management expertise and enhance your leadership potential while giving back to the community, then please join our pool by completing the on-line application on our website. (To get a flavor for the types of organizations we recruit for please check the Board Vacancies section of our website.)

MAP for Nonprofits provides critical management consulting services that significantly enhance the abilities of nonprofit organizations to increase their community impact. MAP’s consulting and service staff has expertise in Finance and Accounting, Board Recruitment & Development, Business Planning, Nonprofit Law, Leadership Development, Marketing, Organizational Development, Strategic Planning, Technology and Volunteer Management. Detailed information is available online at mapfornonprofits.org.

If you have questions and/or would like to speak to a person, contact Tina Pfau Gonzales, MAP’s Board Recruitment Specialist, at tgonzales@mapfornonprofits.org or 651-632-7233.