As a company, we care about being a positive force in the communities where we live and where we do business, both in our home state of Minnesota and beyond. We concentrate our resources, energy, and time on giving to these communities with a special focus on causes that strengthen communities – within our local community, the Native American community, and our world.
We owe much to Native American culture and communities, from the land beneath our headquarters in Minneapolis to the footwear styles that influenced our original product designs. Over the years, both the Miller family and Minnetonka have contributed financially toward Native causes. We continue to actively support a number of Native organizations doing important work in Minnesota and beyond, including organizations such as:
American Indian Opportunities Industrialization Center (AIOIC) was founded in 1979 to address the education and employment disparities faced by Native Americans in and around South Minneapolis.
To learn more about their programming and other services, visit: aioic.org
Baby’s Space, for more than 20 years, has been helping children, families, and communities experiencing historical trauma and the daily trauma of extreme poverty, food and housing insecurity, and community violence realize these forms of pay-it-forward progress – by reimagining childcare as a catalyst for change.
Visit their website to learn more: babyspace.org
The Division of Indian Work (DIW) has been a key contributor to the Native community for almost 70 years – supporting and strengthening urban Native people through culturally-based education, traditional healing approaches, and leadership development.
For more information about their programs and services, visit: diw-mn.org
The Indigenous Peoples Task Force strengthens the wellness of our community in a way that is based in Indigenous values and ways of knowing.
Learn more about their comprehensive programs here: indigenouspeoplestf.org/about-iptf
MIGIZI provides a strong circle of support that nurtures the educational, social, economic and cultural development of Native youth.
To learn more about their programs, visit their website: migizi.org
The Minnesota Indian Women’s Resource Center (MIWRC), founded in 1984, is a non-profit social and mental health services organization committed to traditional ways of being and support of Native women and their families.
Learn more about their broad range of programs here: miwrc.org/whoweare
The Minnesota Indigenous Business Alliance (MNIBA), founded in 2008, was formed in response to the limited Native entrepreneurial and small business growth and development occurring throughout the state.
To learn more about how they work to connect Native-owned businesses, entrepreneurs, and artisans to resources and providers, visit: mniba.org
MNI Sota Fund is a local Certified Native CDFI that provides training and access to capital to promote home ownership, entrepreneurship, and financial capabilities among Native communities throughout Minnesota.
Visit their website to learn more about their services: mnisotafund.org
Native Governance Center is a Native-led nonprofit dedicated to assisting Native nations in strengthening their governance systems and capacity to exercise sovereignty.
To learn more about this organization, visit: nativegov.org
Native Sun is a Native-led nonprofit organization that promotes energy efficiency, renewable energy and equitable energy transition through education, workforce training and demonstration.
To learn more about their programs and projects, visit: nativesun.org
Niniijaanis strives to create educational equity in early childhood (birth-6) for Indigenous children through culturally relevant learning materials and curriculum.
Visit their website to learn more: niniijaanis1of1s.com
Onamia Public Schools located in central Minnesota on the west side of Lake Mille Lacs, is committed to providing their students powerful educational experiences through personalized learning, high quality educators, and a comprehensive curriculum at every level – including an Indian Education Program..
For more information on the school district, visit: onamia.k12.mn.us
The Urban Indigenous Legacy Initiative is a collective of 16 renowned Native American nonprofit organizations in Minneapolis and Saint Paul that have been providing powerful and effective services for more than four decades.
For more details on the initiative, visit: aioic.org/the-urban-indigenous-legacy-initiative/
Wallin, for over three decades, has provided the financial aid, advising, and access scholars need to rise – making college graduation accessible for students with financial need.
Visit their website to learn more: wallinpartners.org
In our local community, we focus on supporting causes that help children, women, families, and schools. Our team provides both monetary donations and volunteer service to numerous organizations, just a few examples of which are listed below.
ACES (Athletes Committed to Educating Students) is an innovative out-of-school-time program that brings math and social-emotional learning to life for Twin Cities students with hands-on curriculum, individual mentorship and field trip opportunities in partnership with Minnesota’s professional and collegiate sports teams.
To learn more about this organization, visit: aces4kids.org
Avivo, serving Minnesota since 1960, specializes in helping individuals and families who face complex barriers – poverty, homelessness, unemployment, chemical addiction or mental health concerns – achieve recovery and economic stability.
Learn more about their education, training and other services here: avivomn.org
Dress for Success Twin Cities believes in empowering every woman through employment – offering career and workplace skills development programs for low income women to help them achieve career advancement, career stability and economic stability.
Visit their website to learn more: dressforsuccesstwincities.org
Greater Minneapolis Crisis Nursery has been a trusted resource for families in crisis since 1983, offering free services for parents and children as part of their mission to end child abuse and neglect, and create strong, healthy families.
Learn more about their mission by visiting: crisisnursery.org
Local to our Northeast Minneapolis neighborhood, Pillsbury Community School is a safe, challenging, and nurturing learning community that strives to meet the individual needs of students and families.
For more information on the school, visit: pillsbury.mpls.k12.mn.us/Home
BACK TO SCHOOL GIVE BACK
Each year we host a Back to School Give Back to benefit DonorsChoose, a nonprofit organization that enables individuals to donate directly to public school classroom projects. Our employees participate in selecting which classroom projects our donations support.
Learn more about DonorsChoose here: donorschoose.org