The Neighbors United Funding Collaborative is a community-fund supporting the communities of Midway and Union Park. NUFC provides grants to residents, local businesses, and community organizations affected by the ongoing pandemic and civil unrest. 

NUFC is currently accepting grant applications from small busineses in the Midway and Union Park areas until funds are exhausted. Learn more and apply here.

HISTORY OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD FUNDING COLLABORATIVE:

In August 2016, the St. Paul City Council passed Resolution 16-1407 which created a task force to discuss the creation of a community benefits fund to support the neighborhoods adjacent to the Snelling-Midway Redevelopment Site.

According to Midway United's account of the history, "for six months the Community Benefits Fund Task Force gathered from residents and business owners’ thoughts, ideas and aspirations for the creation of this community benefits fund and what it might support, including nearly 900 neighborhood comments during community outreach."

Ideas ranged from façade improvements for local businesses to public art installations, such as sidewalk planters and artist-inspired benches. Ideas aimed to support business development, beautify streetscapes and encourage foot traffic and vibrancy.

After community discussion and deliberation, The fund was named the Neighbors United Funding Collaborative (NUFC) and is the result of more than 2 years of community engagement, discussions, and outreach and officially "launched" in July 2019. 

NUFC has been shaped over time by community representatives from the Community Benefits Fund Task Force laid out in a 2016 City Council resolution authored by Thao. 

The fund is overseen by an advisory committee with community representatives from area neighborhoods, local businesses, soccer supporters groups, and those with expertise in development. 

To date, NUFC has helped over 20 small businesses through three different grant programs.