Resilience in Action

2025 has been a year that tested our resilience.

Across Minnesota, nonprofits and small businesses serving underserved communities have faced deep funding cuts, higher operational costs, and growing uncertainty. Yet even amid these challenges, Equitable Development Action (EDACT) has continued to deliver training, mentoring, and empowering hundreds of entrepreneurs, providers, and community leaders to keep building equity where it matters most.

Our focus this year has been simple but powerful: strengthen the hands that hold the community together.

And together, we’ve achieved measurable results:

• 200+ participants trained through EDACT programs across Minnesota.

• 12 small businesses supported through technical assistance, branding, and growth strategies.

• 3 nonprofit organizations advanced through our Incubator & Accelerator Program (IAPN).

• 50+ providers reached through our 245D Provider Support Project.

• 15+ new partnerships formed with banks, nonprofits, and local agencies.

• 4 major public events including the Small Business Open House & Networking Exhibition, Access to Capital Workshop, and multiple Facebook Live sessions, drawing over 500 attendees and viewers combined.

Why We Need You Now

Despite the progress, 2025 has brought new challenges. Nationwide funding cuts and tightening grant cycles have left many BIPOC-led and community-based organizations struggling to stay afloat. As one of the few organizations providing direct capacity support to both businesses and nonprofits, EDACT stands as a vital link, helping others stay operational, compliant, and ready for growth.

Your donation to EDACT during Give to the Max 2025 ensures we can continue:

• Offering free financial literacy and business training through the EDACT Training Academy.

• Supporting nonprofit leaders through IAPN mentorship and grant readiness programs.

• Empowering small businesses with branding, visibility, and technical assistance.

• Expanding our community education initiatives across health, financial, and digital equity.

Every gift makes an immediate difference:

• $50 supports one nonprofit leader through IAPN training.

• $100 funds a financial literacy session for underserved residents.

• $250 supports one small business with technical assistance.

• $500+ sustains our community events and outreach for equity-driven growth.

Turning Urgency into Impact

We’ve seen what’s possible even in a tough year. Your support helped launch the Financial Literacy Program with Stearns Bank, assist 12 local businesses through the DEED-funded Technical Assistance Program, and strengthen 245D providers with compliance and workforce management training.

Now, we need your help to do even more in 2026 expanding into our upcoming EmpowerSEA Program and scaling the EDACT Training Academy to reach hundreds more.

This Give to the Max Day (November 20, 2025), let’s keep the momentum alive.

Together, we can make equity sustainable. Together, we can give to the max for inclusion, for opportunity, for Minnesota