Northside Achievement Zone

GET READY TO SHOW YOUR NORTHSIDE PRIDE 
THIS GIVE TO THE MAX DAY!

The Annual Great Minnesota Give Together is our chance to rally together and provide critical support for students and families across North Minneapolis. The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated systemic inequities and dealt a devastating blow to our scholars' learning and development both in and out of the classroom. Test scores show that a decade's worth of academic progress has been erased, disproportionately impacting low-income students of color.

On the Northside, the effects are acute. Our children face some of the steepest learning losses in the state, further widening stubborn achievement gaps. And the trauma of the past few years, amid unprecedented levels of community violence, has also taken a toll on our scholars' social-emotional growth.

As committed partners in this journey, invested in the hope and promise of North Minneapolis, we must meet this crisis head-on. There is a real possibility of losing a generation of children, but NAZ will not allow our scholars to be left behind. Now is the time to take bold action — to do more of what we know works, to innovate, to partner with more Northside families, and to change the systems that put our children at risk. But we can't do it alone!

This Give to the Max Day, we humbly ask you to invest in NAZ! With your support, we can help stabilize families, accelerate learning for our scholars, and unveil the promise and possibilities that lie within our beloved Northside community.

Need more incentive? After breezing past our initial $20,000 Give to the Max Day goal, the NAZ Board of Directors has offered up a stretch matching fund. All gifts — at whatever level you're able — before midnight tonight will be matched 2:1. That means your donation today this Give to the Max Day will be TRIPLED!

Hand in hand with our families and supporters like YOU, we remain dedicated to pursuing a future where every Northside child can flourish and ascend to soaring new heights. Join us!

Mission

The Northside Achievement Zone (NAZ) exists to end multi-generational poverty in North Minneapolis by building a culture of achievement where all low-income children of color have the support they need to graduate high school and succeed in college, career, and life.

How We Achieve Our Mission

NAZ is a collaborative of more than 30 community nonprofit organizations and schools, all with the shared goal of permanently closing the achievement gap and ending multi-generational poverty in North Minneapolis. As a place-based initiative, our work is focused on providing whole-family support for more than 1,000 families and 2,250 scholars annually in North Minneapolis, doing whatever it takes to ensure their success, from prenatal development all the way through college graduation. NAZ and its partners align resources that holistically address gaps and needs related to education, housing, career & finance, and health & wellness to support children’s academic success both in and out of the classroom.

Pre-Cradle-to-Career Pipeline
For scholars to succeed long-term, they need consistent support. NAZ partners offer programming and resources to nurture children pre-birth through early childhood, K-12, college, and beyond.

Whole Family Support
To end generational poverty and build a culture of success, it’s not enough to simply lift up scholars. NAZ also supports parents with coaching, financial and career education, housing help, and more.

A Powerful Network
NAZ leads a collaborative of Northside schools and nonprofits. We coordinate resources and support from our many partners to serve as a one-stop shop for scholars and families.

Results-Focused
To ensure our methods work, we keep an eye on the data. And the numbers tell a powerful story – NAZ is helping to transform North Minneapolis.