Robins, Kaplan, Miller & Ciresi Foundation for Children
Dec 5, 2007
Minneapolis (December 5, 2007) The Robins, Kaplan, Miller & Ciresi L.L.P. Foundation for Education, Public Health and Social Justice has changed its name to the Robins, Kaplan, Miller & Ciresi Foundation for Children. The distinction reflects the Foundation's proven emphasis on providing support to children for education, advocacy, protection from abuse, and other areas.
The Foundation was established in 1998 when the law firm of Robins, Kaplan, Miller & Ciresi L.L.P. donated a gift of up to $30 million to The Minneapolis Foundation. The mission was to create a permanent endowment, income from which would be distributed primarily in Minnesota and the Twin Cities, and provide support primarily in three areas: K-12 education programs, public health concerns and advocacy for social justice initiatives.
Since its founding, the Foundation has distributed over $9 million in grants in Minnesota, more than $6 million of which were focused on education, health, and social justice issues that directly impact children. Other grants have provided broader support to children and families, i.e., to provide access to housing, or to support improvements in overall health or healthcare delivery.
Following is a sample of grants issued since 2000 to support initiatives focused on children:
Education Programs and Institutions
- In 2000, The Saint Paul Public School District received $500,000 to establish a state-of-the-art Professional Development and Leadership Institute and a Best Practices School Demonstration Site for its teachers and administrators. Altogether, an additional $1,400,000 has been contributed to the school district for continued support of those and other programs.
The Minneapolis Public School District has received over $700,000 for the district's Academic Achievement through the Arts Program and other programs, and the National Institute on Media and the Family received $62,000 to support its MediaWise certification program, which was piloted in Minnesota schools for use across the nation.
In 2002, a $159,340 grant supported three schools in Manhattan where students were critically impacted by the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.
Early Childhood Education
Two grants, in 2004 and 2005, totaling $375,000, were awarded to Ready 4 K for a public education campaign to increase public awareness and support for improved school readiness.
In 2007, The Minnesota Thrive Initiative received a $100,000 grant for local activities focused on the social and emotional development of young children and their families.
Advocacy and Social Justice
In 2006, four theatres received grants totaling $500,000 to create innovative strategies for addressing issues of social justice and tolerance through the performing arts to youth.
$500,000 grant for the National Child Protection Training Center at Winona State University to support its efforts to educate, inform, and train child protection professionals and advance the elimination of child abuse.
Public Health
$200,000 for the Minneapolis Medical Research Foundation (Center for Urban health) for general community health and research on critical health issues, including children and adolescent health issues such as growth and nutrition, pediatric AIDS and tuberculosis, asthma and apnea.
"Our children are our future and we are committed to contributing resources to ensure they have the opportunity to succeed," states Michael V. Ciresi, Chairman of the Executive board at Robins, Kaplan, Miller & Ciresi L.L.P. and Board President and Chairman of the Robins, Kaplan, Miller & Ciresi Foundation for Children. "We are extremely proud of the grants and initiatives our Foundation supports that benefit the youth of our communities."
For information on grants and guidelines, contact The Minneapolis Foundation, http://www.minneapolisfoundation.org/.
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