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Press Release

American Swedish Institute Community Fund Announces First Recipients

Contact: Karen R. Nelson, Karen.N@ASIMN.org, 612-870-3373
January 1, 2021 By Lizzy Rode

MINNEAPOLIS – Today, the American Swedish Institute announced the first awards made through its new ASI Community Fund, offering short-term aid to service-oriented organizations located primarily in the Phillips and adjacent Minneapolis neighborhoods. Groups receiving funding in amounts between $1,000 and $2,000 are Tamales y Bicicletas, the Semilla Center for Healing and the Arts and the Somali American Women Action Center. In addition, ASI is partnering with Sisters’ Camelot to host a monthly series of food share distribution events at its parking lot at 2600 Park Avenue, Minneapolis. Earlier initial donations also went to PICA Head Start and Open Arms of Minnesota.

The ASI Community Fund was founded in the wake of George Floyd’s murder last May. Through the Fund, ASI seeks to help respond to emerging needs and support its neighbors as they build, invigorate and reimagine our shared community. Donations are intended to support organizations and initiatives aligned with ASI’s general mission and vision.

Learn more about ASI’s Community Fund


Community Fund Recipients for Spring 2021:

Tamales y Bicicletas aims to strengthen local Latino and immigrant communities through bicycle projects, green farming, cultural empowerment and environmental justice, with a goal of improving the health of low-income communities of color.

The Semilla Center for Healing and the Arts brings quality arts learning experiences to underserved communities, including immigrants and at-risk youth. This year, programming is focused on neighborhood healing.

The Somali American Women Action Center focuses on stabilizing the lives of refugee and immigrant women and their families in Minnesota by providing support for job training, social empowerment, skills and leadership development, professional networking and health and well-being.


This inaugural round drew 20 applications with an ASI volunteer staff committee selecting recipients.

The Fund was established with independent donations, mostly by individuals. It is rooted in ASI’s founding by Swedish immigrants and reflects a commitment to sharing its own story of migration. Today, ASI takes its place among many immigrant cultures in the Phillips neighborhood, celebrating mutual support and collective well-being. ASI has built longstanding community relationships over the past 15 years through collaborative programs including the Pippi Project at  Andersen and Bancroft Elementary Schools, PICA Head Start graduations and the Story Swap program with Wellstone International High School. ASI also hosts Naturalization Ceremonies and National Night Out, always recognizing that there is more we can do to build bridges for cross-cultural understanding. Future gifts will allow the Fund to grow and continue to serve the community.

The next submissions deadline is Wednesday, June 30.

Learn more about ASI’s Community Engagement Initiatives

Contribute to the Community Fund today