We welcome applications from all 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations.

If you’re a non-profit that empowers BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) communities, supports hunger relief, or collaborates with up-and-coming farmers of Color through partnerships with local farm associations, we highly encourage you to apply. Your efforts align with our initiatives to make a positive impact on our community, and we’re eager to support your work to build a strong, local food system.

Pro tip! Draft and save your application answers on a separate document to use for later.

What you will be asked:

• Basic information like Name, Address, and Email Address
• File uploads – As part of the application, you will have the option to upload files. Please note that these uploads are NOT mandatory and WILL NOT influence the selection process. They are there to provide additional information for our staff if your organization is selected.

We ask you to share brief responses to a couple questions. Please keep responses under 500 words, 2,000 characters. The length of your responses WILL NOT impact the selection process. Consider this an opportunity to introduce us to the incredible work your organization does. Let your passion shine, and enjoy the process!

• What is the organization’s mission?
• Explain how your mission aligns with one or more of the following:
  1) Empowering local BIPOC communities
  2) Addressing hunger relief needs in our communities
  3) Supporting up-and-coming farmers of Color
• Please describe what the Change Matters funding will support in detail.
• How can our co-op community connect with your organization?
• How can your organization imagine an ongoing partnership with Wedge Community Co-ops beyond the Change Matters program?

APPLY NOW

The selection process for Change Matters organizations is a collaborative process by a committee of Wedge Community Co-ops staff. We’re excited to continue making a positive change in our community with your support!

Mark these important dates on your calendars:
October 5, 2023: Application period opens. We start accepting proposals.
November 3, 2023: Application period closes. Proposals must be submitted for committee review.
December 12, 2023: Notification of the 2024 Change Matters recipients will be sent out to the contact information provided in your application.

As part of the application, you will have the option to upload files. Please note that these uploads are NOT mandatory and WILL NOT influence the selection process. They are there to provide additional information for our staff if your organization is selected.

We’re passionate about promoting Change Matters and our partner organizations. We do this through various channels, including:

• Our quarterly newsletter
• Our website
• Email updates
• Social media
• In-store signs

Each partner organization is prominently featured at the registers of both Wedge Lyndale and Wedge Linden Hills Co-op during their designated round-up month.

We also encourage our Change Matters partner organizations and Product Partner vendors to join us in promoting the program. We ask them to use their own communication channels to encourage their supporters to shop at our stores and round up their purchases. These organizations are encouraged to provide us with their logos, content ideas, and photos for in-store displays, signs, and social media.

Additionally, we work closely with co-op vendors through our Product Partners program. Some of these vendors generously donate a portion of their sales to support the featured Change Matters group each month. We strongly encourage Change Matters groups to collaborate closely with their Product Partner to effectively promote their designated month.

Exciting Update: Starting this fiscal year, Wedge Community Co-ops will match monthly donations from our product partners up to $500! You can also check out our past contributions below.

We’re excited to announce that December 2023 will be owner choice month. Owners will have the opportunity to vote on a slate of organizations to receive funds. December 2023 recipient will be decided as part of the 2024 Co-op Election. The organizations on the voting slate will be selected by the Change Matters committee and co-op leadership. Your voice matters in shaping our community’s future.