Northside Achievement Zone

JOIN THE CHORUS THIS
GIVE TO THE MAX DAY!

This year, the Northside Achievement Zone (NAZ) is lifting up a powerful truth: generosity is strongest when sung in harmony. Give to the Max Day 2025 is all about “Giving That Gathers Us,” a chorus of voices rising across Minnesota to support Northside scholars and families.

The challenges ahead are very real. Across the country, organizations like ours are navigating deep uncertainty—from economic headwinds and political polarization to funding and program cuts that leave too many young people lost in the fray. But at NAZ, our resolve has never been stronger. Our scholars and families continue to need us, and we refuse to let fear or fatigue define what is possible for North Minneapolis children. As one philanthropic leader recently said, “Sitting on resources in this moment isn’t neutrality; it’s neglect.” In the face of this reality, hope is not something we can wait for. Hope is us.

This school year, NAZ has expanded our impact—placing Scholar Success Coaches directly in classrooms, partnering with new K–12 schools and early learning centers, and investing in high-dosage reading and math tutoring.

Your Gift, Doubled
This Give to the Max Day, your generosity goes twice as far! Thanks to a $50,000 Matching Challenge Gift from our Board of Directors, all contributions made before midnight on November 20, 2025, will be matched dollar-for-dollar.

Why It Matters
When you give to NAZ, you’re helping to protect the idea that every child—regardless of ZIP code—deserves to realize their unlimited potential. You’re ensuring that Northside scholars show up to school on time and ready to learn. You’re investing in a community where health, wealth, and well-being are not distant dreams but daily realities.

Join the Chorus
Early giving begins November 1. Add your voice. Add your gift. Help North Minneapolis resound with possibility as we gather to sing the soundtrack of hope and opportunity. Together, we can design the future our scholars deserve—one scholar, one family, one neighborhood at a time.

This Give to the Max Day, let’s give in harmony. Let’s give with hope. Let’s give together.

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 40 community nonprofits 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 focuses on providing whole-family support for more than 1,200 families and 2,400 scholars annually, doing whatever it takes to ensure their success—from prenatal development through college graduation. NAZ and its partners align resources that holistically address gaps and needs related to education, housing, career and finance, and health and wellness to support children’s academic success both in and out of the classroom.

Prenatal-to-Profession Pipeline
For scholars to succeed long-term, they need consistent support. NAZ partners offer programming and resources to nurture children from 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 assistance, 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.