INTRODUCTION

Since 2007, Minneapolis Climate Action (MCA) has worked in collaboration with community members and local organizations to create energy democracy through community building and climate solutions rooted in deep systemic change.

Vision: Engaged, resilient communities with democratized, equitable access to sustainable climate solutions.

Mission: We advance equitable opportunities to build resilient communities through climate solutions by fostering inclusive collaboration, empowering underserved populations, and driving sustainable innovation. Through education, advocacy, and strategic partnerships, we ensure that all communities—especially those disproportionately affected by climate change—have access to the resources, knowledge, and technologies needed to thrive in a changing world.

CURRENT PROGRAMMING

Minneapolis Climate Action’s current programming falls into three main programs: clean energy and sustainability workforce development, community solar garden development, and community engagement.

CLEAN ENERGY AND SUSTAINABILITY WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT

MCA currently hosts eight classes in partnership with vendors and other organizations, on topics such as solar installation and sustainable landscape development. MCA coordinates the space, addresses operational needs, and provides wraparound services to increase access to workforce development programming, such as providing meals, bus passes, and stipends. Renewable Energy Partners owns the facility in which classes are held and is the recipient of a Bush Foundation grant that supports capacity building and general operations for clean energy and sustainability workforce development. MCA is the primary tenant, facilitates partnerships, and manages leasing space to other tenants.

COMMUNITY SOLAR GARDEN DEVELOPMENT

MCA, in partnership with Renewable Energy Partners, operates two existing community solar gardens at North High and EMERGE Recycling and coordinates two community solar gardens in development at Repowered and Eureka Recycling. MCA identifies sites for CSG development, engages, educates, and recruits subscribers and provides ongoing subscriber relations, manages maintenance and contracts, and engages with policy and utility companies. REP finances, builds, owns, and maintains community solar arrays, procures engineering and construction services, develops financial models to inform the projects, and partners with MCA to engage policy and utility companies.

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

MCA convenes the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency’s Resiliency Hub work group, which engages community in informing the Resiliency Hub’s green energy pilot projects. MCA also engages, educates, and recruits community members to subscribe to community solar gardens and enroll in clean energy and sustainability career courses.

• ORGANIZATIONAL IDENTITY STATEMENT

The highest level of organizational strategy includes a solid understanding of an organization’s focus, place in the field or market, and business model. A shared understanding of organizational identity creates a more advantageous starting point when embarking on strategic decision-making.