Organizations We Support
Service Above Self!
Through our community service efforts and the grants provided by the Minneapolis Uptown Rotary Foundation, our club strives to make a meaningful impact. One key focus is supporting organizations working in the areas of Clean Water, Education, Hunger, and the Environment. If your organization is interested in applying for a grant, please select either the "Local Grant Requests" or "International Grant Requests" option from the menu on the left. The following is a list of organizations our club currently serves:
Ella Baker School / Every Meal
Supporting Literacy & Student Well-Being at Ella Baker School: The Minneapolis Uptown Rotary Club supports literacy at Ella Baker School by funding and volunteering for engaging programs like author visits, field trips to local bookstores, classroom library enhancements, and more. In partnership with Every Meal, our members also volunteer twice a month during the school year to place weekend meal bags in student lockers—helping to combat food insecurity for families in need. For more information about these organizations, visit:
Haiti Outreach
Investing in Clean Water and Local Leadership in Haiti: The Minneapolis Uptown Rotary Club proudly supports efforts to improve health and infrastructure in rural Haiti. Spearheaded by longtime Uptown Rotary member Dale Snyder, our partnership with Haiti Outreach helps fund community-driven projects that bring long-term access to clean water and sanitation. The organization also works closely with local leaders to strengthen governance and empower sustainable change. Our club contributes financially through fundraising efforts and, when possible, supports the mission through volunteerism—including past trips by club members to Haiti. For more info, visit:
Joyce Uptown Food Shelf
Supporting Food Access with Joyce Uptown Food Shelf: The Minneapolis Uptown Rotary Club is proud to support Joyce Uptown Food Shelf—an essential resource for neighbors facing food insecurity in the Uptown community. Our members volunteer every Thursday evening from 4:45 to 7:00 PM, making it possible for the food shelf to stay open one evening per week. We also contribute financially through proceeds from our fundraising efforts, helping Joyce continue its mission of serving with dignity and compassion.
For more information, visit:
Ready, Set, Smile!
Improving Children's Health with Ready Set Smile: Minneapolis Uptown Rotary proudly supports Ready Set Smile, a nonprofit delivering on-site dental care and oral health education to children in underserved Minneapolis schools. Our financial contributions help fund their school-based services, ensuring kids receive preventive care and health guidance early in life. Our club recently visited Ready Set Smile’s new clinic and saw firsthand the positive impact of their work across 49 partner schools and programs.
For more information, visit:
Warm Heads, Warm Hands, Warm Hearts
Providing Winter Essentials with warm hands, heads, and hearts: Each year, the Minneapolis Uptown Rotary Club joins fellow clubs in supporting Warm Hands, Warm Heads, Warm Hearts, a project coordinated by the Edina Morningside Rotary Club. Our members help purchase and distribute warm hats and gloves to individuals in need throughout the Twin Cities—sharing both comfort and compassion during Minnesota’s coldest months.
For more information, visit:
Additional Minneapolis Uptown Rotary Club Endeavors include:
Camp Enterprise
Inspiring Future Leaders at Camp Enterprise: Camp Enterprise offers a unique, three-day experience for high school juniors and seniors to explore entrepreneurship, ethical business practices, and the free enterprise system. The Minneapolis Uptown Rotary Club proudly sponsors 1–2 students each November, covering their tuition and travel. Club members also volunteer as chaperones, supporting and mentoring students throughout this life-changing opportunity. For more information, visit:
Camp RYLA
Camp RYLA (Rotary Youth Leadership Awards) is a dynamic leadership development camp designed for high school sophomores and juniors. This hands-on program fosters leadership, teamwork, and problem-solving skills through a series of physical, mental, and intellectual challenges. Our club provides financial support to sponsor 1-2 students to attend Camp RYLA each spring, and we also contribute volunteers to chaperone the students during the camp.
North Star Rotary Youth Exchange
North Star Youth Exchange offers high school students the opportunity to experience a life-changing adventure through year-long or short-term exchange programs. Students explore new countries, immerse themselves in different cultures, and build lasting international friendships. Our club has financially supported the sponsorship of one student for an exchange year and has provided volunteers who assist in finding host families, organizing family activities, and contributing winter clothes and sports equipment for the exchange students.
