Change Matters

Application Requirements

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.

Application Questions

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

Selection Process

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!

Timeline

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.

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.

ABOUT THE PROGRAM

We believe that co-op is community. Every month, we generate thousands of dollars for local non-profit organizations by collecting donations at our registers. We’re proud to partner with co-op vendors who share our commitment, contributing a portion of their sales during select months through our Product Partners program.

For over four decades, our efforts have made a real difference. From community gardens to feeding families in need and bringing fresh, local produce into classrooms, we’ve worked tirelessly to expand access to fresh food and build a stronger, more equitable food system for all. Our commitment extends to rebuilding and investing in our neighborhoods, addressing the hunger crisis, and uplifting communities that deserve support, including Black, Indigenous, Immigrant, Refugee, and other communities of Color.

We’re excited to continue this journey of positive impact on our community, and we’re eager to support your work in building a strong, local food system. Because, Change Matters!

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.

The 2023 Change Matters partners have been selected.

How We Spread the Word

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.

Community Collaboration

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.

Support from Co-op Vendors

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.

Owner Choice Months

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.

2023 CHANGE MATTERS RECIPIENTS

MONTH ORGANIZATION ROUNDUP TOTAL PRODUCT PARTNER PRODUCT PARTNER TOTAL GRAND TOTAL
January Tubman $9,119.79 Nordic Naturals will donate $1 per unit sold, and From the Ground Up will donate 25 cents per unit sold $674.00 $9,793.79
February In Black Ink $8,527.46 Gustola Granola will donate $1 per unit sold, and Botanical Lucidity will donate 10% of total sales $415.61 $8,943.07
March Food for the People $8,204.28 Seven Sundays will donate $1 per unit sold, and Wonderstate Coffee will donate 50 cents per unit sold $390.55 $8,594.83
April Grand Risings Farm $8,497.68 Four Sigmatic will donate 25 cents per unit sold, and Equal Exchange will donate 50 cents per chocolate bar sold $756.00 $9,253.68
May Midtown Farmer’s Market $9,311.86 Jonny Pops will donate 25 cents per unit sold, and Triple Crown Organic BBQ Sauces will donate 75 cents per unit sold $416.75 $9,728.61
June Urban Roots $9,174.30 Forage Kombucha will donate 50 cents per unit sold, and SK Coffee will donate 50 cents per unit sold $1,065.50 $10,239.80
July TC Food Justice $9,213.25 Bizzy Coffee will donate $1 per unit sold, and Equal Exchange will donate $1 per packaged coffee sold.

*This total includes a donation match of up to $500 by TCCP.

$1,772.00 $10,985.25
August Avenues for Youth $9,545.02 Jonny Pops will donate 25 cents per unit sold, and Triple Crown Organic BBQ Sauces will donate 75 cents per unit sold $581.50 $10,126.52
September Tamales y Bicicletas $9,603.41 Bizzy Coffee and Ancient Nutrition will both donate $1 per unit sold $1,547.00 $11,150.41
October Immigrant Law Center $9,133.74 Nordic Naturals will donate $1 per unit sold $1,174.00 $10,307.74
November Division of Indian Work Taking Stock will donate 25 cents per unit sold, and Seven Sundays will donate $1 per unit sold
December  North Country Food Alliance Sun Leaf Naturals will donate 10% of total sales


2022 CHANGE MATTERS RECIPIENTS

MONTH ORGANIZATION TOTAL RAISED PRODUCT PARTNER TOTAL RAISED
January Big River Farms (A program of The Food Group) $8,747.75 From the Ground Up Snacks is donating 25 cents per product sold, and Four Sigmatic is donating 50 cents per product sold during January. $206.25
February Du Nord Foundation’s Community Market $7,479.03 Ferndale Market is donating 5% of total sales during February. $621.91
March Hmong American Farmers Association $8,823.43 Seven Sundays is donating $1 per product sold during March. $255.00
April Neighborhood Youth Academy $9,560.32 Klean Kanteen is donating $1 per product sold, and Peace Coffee is donating 50 cents per product sold (bulk & packaged) during April. $1,149.62
May Haven Housing $11,297.22
Ancient Nutrition is donating $1 per product sold during May.
$104.00
June The Link $10,432.57 Big Watt Beverage Co is donating 10% of total sales and Nordic Naturals is donating $1 per product sold during June. $674.07
July Sharing Our Roots $9,461.80 Bizzy Coffee and Gustola Granola are donating $1 per product sold during July. $1,743.00
August Good in the Hood $9,526.02 Jonny Pops is donating 10% of total sales during August. $558.78
September Black Men Teach $9,484.19 Bizzy Coffee is donating $1 per product sold, and Forage Kombucha is donating 50 cents per product sold during September. $1,373.00
October Juxtaposition Arts $9,014.12 Alaffia is donating 25 cents per product sold during October. $34.25
November Somali American Farmers Association  $8,804.74 Food Bldg is donating 25 cents for every Baker’s Field Flour and Bread, Alemar Cheese, Red Table Meats, and Aliment Pasta product sold during November. $567.01
December Appetite For Change $8,650.40 Taking Stock is donating 10% of total sales during December. $44.05