Emma Corrie, the president and CEO of Twin Cities R!SE, was having a tough day about two weeks ago when her cell phone rang.
“It was just a typical day in the life of a nonprofit,” she said. “But I picked up the phone, and everything changed. I burst into tears.”
Emma Corrie (Courtesy of Twin Cities Rise)
On the other end of the line was a representative of MacKenzie Scott, who has become a major philanthropist since her divorce from Amazon founder Jeff Bezos.
Scott, who has made substantial gifts to organizations that work with historically marginalized race, gender and sexual-identity groups, was giving $3 million to the North Minneapolis-based nonprofit organization that works to find jobs and provide career training for people impacted by racial or socioeconomic barriers.
“They said, ‘We have been watching your organization, and we love what you are doing,’” Corrie said. “It was breathtaking and emotional, but what made my day was the affirmation that they recognized the transformational work we do here. We are humbled and inspired by MacKenzie Scott and her unwavering dedication to supporting organizations that make a real difference in people’s lives.”
This gift – the largest in the organization’s history – will allow Twin Cities R!SE to accelerate its strategic plan, Corrie said.
“It will enable us to empower more adults and youth facing formidable obstacles by providing both the internal and external skills necessary to attain and retain meaningful, career track jobs with sustaining wages,” Corrie said.
RELATED: How MacKenzie Scott gifts are transforming lives – and local nonprofits
The organization employs 34 people, a quarter of whom are graduates of the program.
“All of our work is centered on personal empowerment,” Corrie said. “We work on the inside out. You have to heal and build core value on the inside in order to bring out the best on the outside.”
Staff members of Twin Cities R!SE in Minneapolis. The organization has received a million gift from MacKenzie Scott. (Courtesy of Twin Cities Rise)
In 2023, Twin Cities R!SE program graduates saw an average increase of $29,000 in their annual wages and a 10-year average retention rate of 69 percent compared to the 38 percent national average.
“This extraordinary gift affirms the vital work of Twin Cities R!SE, our relentless focus on working with those in generational poverty with an emphasis on retention and our return-on-investment discipline benefitting all stakeholders,” said Steve Rothschild, founder of Twin Cities R!SE.
No money has been spent yet. Corrie said the organization plans to take some time to discern “how we can leverage the resources to become more effective in a rapidly changing economy.”
“It is just a lovely lovely thing,” she said. “It’s a blessing.”
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