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Nexus Community Partners

Annual Giving
$1.8M
Grant Range
$50K - $0.1M
Decision Time
3mo
Success Rate
2%

Nexus Community Partners

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $1,840,462 (2022)
  • Success Rate: ~2-3% (Open Road Fund); varies by program
  • Decision Time: 3-6 months (LOCAL Fund); 10 days for finalist notification (Open Road Fund)
  • Grant Range: $50,000 - $150,000 depending on program
  • Geographic Focus: Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota (primarily St. Paul, MN)

Contact Details

Organization Address: 2314 University Ave W, Suite 18, St. Paul, MN 55114
Phone: (651) 289-7038
Email (Open Road Fund): ORFSupport@nexuscp.org
Phone (Open Road Fund): (612) 886-3449
Website: https://nexuscp.org
EIN: 30-0658898

Overview

Founded over 20 years ago, Nexus Community Partners is a BIPOC-led community building intermediary based in St. Paul, Minnesota, with a mission to build more engaged and powerful communities of color by supporting initiatives that expand community wealth and foster social and human capital. The organization explicitly works to "usher out the rigged rules, attitudes, and practices that concentrate wealth and power in fewer and whiter hands" through cooperative development, leadership training, and direct wealth-building grants. In 2018, Nexus won the Bush Prize for Community Innovation, and in 2023, was selected by the Bush Foundation as one of two steward organizations to manage a $50 million Open Road Fund addressing wealth disparities caused by historic racial injustices. As of 2022, the organization distributed $1,840,462 in grants through 28 awards and employs approximately 27 staff members.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

1. Open Road Fund (2023-2031)

  • Amount: $50,000 per individual or group (groups of 2-5 people each receive $50,000)
  • Total Program: $50 million over 8 years, minimum 800 recipients
  • Application Method: Annual application window (opens Juneteenth, closes mid-July); two-phase random selection process
  • Recent Awards: 99 grants in 2023; 101 grants in 2024; 101 grants in 2025
  • Focus: Wealth-building projects for Black descendants of enslaved people, including housing, education, financial well-being, healing, and economic justice

2. LOCAL Fund: Worker Ownership (2024-2026)

  • Amount: Up to $150,000 for worker cooperative start-ups, expansions, and conversions; up to $50,000 for COVID-19 pandemic relief
  • Total Program: $1.25 million
  • Application Method: Rolling basis through September 1, 2026; inquiry form required first
  • Location: City of Saint Paul, in Qualified Census Tracts
  • Focus: Worker cooperatives development including technical assistance, grants, and stipends

3. LOCAL Fund: Community Ownership (2024-2026)

  • Amount: Varies by grant type (predevelopment vs. acquisition/demolition/rehabilitation)
  • Total Program: $1.25 million
  • Application Method: Rolling basis through September 1, 2026
  • Location: Properties on Saint Paul's vacant building list in Qualified Census Tracts
  • Focus: Shared ownership of commercial real estate (real estate investment co-ops, commercial tenant co-ops, community investment trusts, commercial community land trusts)

4. ROOT (Reclaiming Our Own Time) - CURRENTLY PAUSED

  • Status: All programming paused due to loss of funding; Nexus seeking new funding sources
  • Previous Focus: Rest and restoration fellowships for BIPOC justice leaders through sabbatical programs

Priority Areas

  • Racial Wealth Building: Specifically for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color communities
  • Cooperative Ownership: Worker cooperatives and community-owned real estate
  • Leadership Development: BIPOC representation on public boards and commissions
  • Community Engagement: Training and capacity building for equitable community participation
  • Economic Justice: Addressing systemic wealth concentration and building intergenerational wealth

What They Don't Fund

While Nexus doesn't publish explicit exclusions, program eligibility criteria indicate they do not fund:

  • Projects outside Minnesota, North Dakota, and South Dakota
  • Individual applicants who are not Black descendants of enslaved people (for Open Road Fund)
  • Worker cooperatives with fewer than 3 founders or located outside Qualified Census Tracts unless SBA-disadvantaged (for LOCAL Fund)
  • Previous Open Road Fund recipients (cannot reapply)
  • Projects without commercial components (for LOCAL Fund Community Ownership)

Governance and Leadership

Key Leadership:

  • Repa Mekha, Founder & CEO: Bush Fellowship alum with 35+ years of experience in community-based leadership, wealth-building strategies, and systems change work
  • Vice President of Programs and Strategy
  • Vice President of Operations & Culture
  • Co-founder and Chief Financial Officer
  • Senior Director of Community Wealth Building

Leadership Philosophy (Repa Mekha quotes):

On leadership approach: "I enter into leadership knowing that I don't need to know all the answers... We're being invited to up our level of leadership in new ways."

On community wealth building: "Black wealth building and power, especially generational, is as much a psychology as it is a set of financial practices and tools. It is a claiming and reclaiming of the power and potential that exist with us, and within us."

On organizational mission: "We understood that who plans, who governs, who owns, and who stewards resources has always been at the crux of sustained inequities in this country."

On resilience: "The most inspiring and landscape-shifting change that we've seen for decades and decades has grown out of chaos. We found strength and possibility and we rose every time."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Open Road Fund:

  1. Phase 1 - Registration: Complete online application during annual window (opens Juneteenth, typically June 19 at 9 AM CDT; closes mid-July around July 21 at 11:59 PM CDT)

    • 3-5 long-answer questions about ancestry and wealth-building plans
    • Multiple-choice eligibility and demographic questions
    • Submit identifying documents for verification
    • Note: "Answer the questions honestly and in a concise way" - spelling and punctuation are not judged; thoughtfulness and completeness matter

  2. Phase 2 - Random Selection: Computer program randomly selects approximately 100-101 finalists from eligible applications

    • Finalists have 10 calendar days to confirm participation

  3. Phase 3 - Finalist Application: Selected applicants receive one month to develop detailed wealth-building project plan

    • Must submit two letters of support from Black community members
    • Can reuse responses from previous years' applications

LOCAL Fund (Worker Ownership & Community Ownership):

  1. Complete Shared Ownership Center's Inquiry Form at https://nexuscp.org/program/shared-ownership-center-at-nexus/learn-more/
  2. Shared Ownership Center reviews and follows up about eligibility
  3. If eligible, receive invitation to submit full LOCAL Fund application
  4. Applications accepted on rolling basis through September 1, 2026

Boards & Commissions Leadership Institute (BCLI):

  • Nomination-based: Must be nominated by BCLI alum or affiliated community organization
  • Each nominator can only nominate one candidate per year
  • Contact BCLI staff if you need help identifying a nominator

Decision Timeline

Open Road Fund:

  • Application window: Approximately 1 month (mid-June to mid-July annually)
  • Finalist notification: Within weeks of application close
  • Finalist response required: 10 calendar days
  • Detailed plan development: 1 month for finalists
  • Total process: Approximately 2-3 months from application to award

LOCAL Fund:

  • Initial inquiry to final grant award: 3-6 months
  • Technical assistance duration varies:
    • Worker cooperative startups: 18-24 months average
    • Business conversions to worker ownership: 12-18 months
  • Rolling decisions (no fixed deadlines until September 1, 2026)

Success Rates

Open Road Fund (highly competitive):

  • 2024: 101 awards from 4,300+ applications (~2.3% success rate)
  • 2025: 101 awards from 4,000+ applications (~2.5% success rate)
  • 2023: 99 awards
  • Cumulative through 2025: $15 million distributed to 300 recipients
  • Projected total by 2031: 800+ recipients

LOCAL Fund:

  • First round (2024): 4 grants awarded to worker cooperatives
    • Storehouse Grocers and Coffee Co-op
    • Twin Cities Impact Cooperative
    • Terra Firma Building and Remodeling Cooperative
    • The Improve Group
  • Success rates not published; rolling basis suggests less competitive than Open Road Fund

Reapplication Policy

Open Road Fund:

  • Previous awardees are permanently ineligible and may not reapply
  • Unsuccessful applicants may reapply in subsequent years
  • Can submit only one application per year (either individual OR group member, not both)
  • Can reuse responses from previous applications, especially long-answer questions

LOCAL Fund:

  • No stated restrictions on reapplication
  • Rolling basis allows multiple attempts if initially unsuccessful

Application Success Factors

For Open Road Fund:

  1. Random Selection Neutralizes Grant-Writing Skills: The fund intentionally uses random selection rather than competitive scoring to ensure fairness and avoid privileging applicants with grant-writing experience. Focus on honest, thoughtful, complete answers rather than polished prose.

  2. Ancestry Documentation is Critical: Applicants must verify they are Black descendants of people subjected to chattel enslavement in the Americas. Ensure identifying documents clearly establish this lineage.

  3. Community Support Matters for Finalists: The requirement for two letters of support from Black community members in Phase 2 suggests community endorsement and connections are valued. Build authentic relationships within the Black community before applying.

  4. Wealth-Building Categories are Broad: The fund accepts projects in housing, education, financial well-being, healing, and economic justice. Think expansively about what builds wealth for you and your family/community.

  5. Group Applications Amplify Impact: Groups of 2-5 people can apply together, with each member receiving $50,000 for a collaborative project. This option may be powerful for community-based initiatives requiring larger capital.

For LOCAL Fund:

  1. Technical Assistance Available Before Application: The Shared Ownership Center provides extensive support through the development process. Engage early through the inquiry form even if you're not ready to apply - technical assistance can help shape your cooperative model.

  2. Qualified Census Tract Location Required: Projects must be in Saint Paul's Qualified Census Tracts OR meet SBA disadvantaged business qualifications. Verify eligibility before investing time in application.

  3. Minimum Three Founders Needed: Both worker cooperatives and community ownership entities need at least three founders, with one Saint Paul resident. Build your cooperative team before applying.

  4. Webinars Provide Crucial Guidance: Nexus offers multiple LOCAL Fund webinars on topics including "How to Apply," "Creating Your Cooperative," "Access to Capital," "Finance 101," and "Conversion Basics." Attend these to understand what reviewers seek.

General Success Factors:

  1. Alignment with Racial Justice Mission: Nexus explicitly centers BIPOC communities and challenges systems that concentrate wealth in "fewer and whiter hands." Applications should demonstrate understanding of structural racism and commitment to community wealth building.

  2. Cooperative and Shared Ownership Models Valued: The organization has deep expertise in worker cooperatives and community ownership. Projects that incorporate shared ownership principles align strongly with Nexus's values.

  3. Long-Term Wealth Building Over Short-Term Needs: While the organization addresses immediate needs, their strategic focus is on intergenerational wealth accumulation and systemic change.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Open Road Fund uses random selection, not competitive review - focus on honesty and completeness rather than polish; spelling/punctuation don't matter, but thoughtfulness does
  • Geographic restrictions are firm - must be Minnesota, North Dakota, or South Dakota resident; LOCAL Fund requires Saint Paul Qualified Census Tract location
  • Success rates are very low for Open Road Fund (~2-3%) but random selection means every eligible applicant has equal chance regardless of grant-writing skill
  • LOCAL Fund offers substantial technical assistance - engage through inquiry form early in cooperative development process, even before formal application
  • Community connections and support matter - Open Road Fund requires two letters from Black community members; cooperative models require multiple founders
  • Previous Open Road awardees cannot reapply - one $50,000 gift per person lifetime, though unsuccessful applicants can try again annually
  • Nexus values authentic community leadership and lived experience over professional credentials - founder Repa Mekha emphasizes that leadership doesn't require "knowing all the answers"

References

  1. Nexus Community Partners official website - https://nexuscp.org (Accessed December 2024)
  2. "Open Road Fund" - Nexus Community Partners - https://nexuscp.org/program/open-road-fund/ (Accessed December 2024)
  3. "Open Road Fund - The Fund" - Nexus Community Partners - https://nexuscp.org/program/open-road-fund/the-fund/ (Accessed December 2024)
  4. "Open Road Fund - Open Road Fund FAQs" - Nexus Community Partners - https://nexuscp.org/program/open-road-fund/open-road-fund-faqs/ (Accessed December 2024)
  5. "Open Road Fund Application Changes 2024" - Nexus Community Partners - https://nexuscp.org/open-road-fund-application-changes-2024/ (Accessed December 2024)
  6. "Open Road Fund 2024: Phase 2 Update" - Nexus Community Partners - https://nexuscp.org/open-road-fund-2024-phase-2-update/ (Accessed December 2024)
  7. "Open Road Fund 2025: Phase 2 Update" - Nexus Community Partners - https://nexuscp.org/orf25-phase-2/ (Accessed December 2024)
  8. "Shared Ownership Center @ Nexus (SOC@N) - The LOCAL Fund" - Nexus Community Partners - https://nexuscp.org/program/shared-ownership-center-at-nexus/local-fund/ (Accessed December 2024)
  9. "The LOCAL Fund - Frequently Asked Questions" - Nexus Community Partners - https://nexuscp.org/program/shared-ownership-center-at-nexus/local-fund/local-fund-faq/ (Accessed December 2024)
  10. "The LOCAL Fund: Worker Ownership Awards its First Four Grants" - Nexus Community Partners - https://nexuscp.org/the-local-fund-worker-ownership-awards-its-first-four-grants/ (Accessed December 2024)
  11. "ROOT (Reclaiming Our Own Time)" - Nexus Community Partners - https://nexuscp.org/program/root-reclaiming-our-own-time/ (Accessed December 2024)
  12. "An Important ROOT Program Update" - Nexus Community Partners - https://nexuscp.org/an-important-root-program-update/ (Accessed December 2024)
  13. "Boards & Commissions Leadership Institute - How to Apply" - Nexus Community Partners - https://nexuscp.org/program/boards-and-commissions-leadership-institute/how-to-apply/ (Accessed December 2024)
  14. "Boards & Commissions Leadership Institute" - Nexus Community Partners - https://nexuscp.org/program/boards-and-commissions-leadership-institute/ (Accessed December 2024)
  15. "Repa Mekha" - Nexus Community Partners - https://nexuscp.org/team/repa-mekha/ (Accessed December 2024)
  16. "Recap: A Conversation on Black Power & Wealth Building" - Nexus Community Partners - https://nexuscp.org/recap-a-conversation-on-black-power-wealth-building/ (Accessed December 2024)
  17. "Living in the Gray: Spring Reflections from Repa" - Nexus Community Partners - https://nexuscp.org/living-in-the-gray-spring-reflections-from-repa/ (Accessed December 2024)
  18. "Nexus Community Partners" - Cause IQ - https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/nexus-community-partners,300658898/ (Accessed December 2024)
  19. "Nexus Community Partners - Nonprofit Explorer" - ProPublica - https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/300658898 (Accessed December 2024)
  20. "Nexus Community Partners - Bush Foundation" - https://www.bushfoundation.org/organizations/nexus-community-partners/ (Accessed December 2024)
  21. "Bush Prize for Community Innovation 2018" - Nexus Community Partners - https://nexuscp.org/bush-prize-for-community-innovation-2018/ (Accessed December 2024)
  22. "Nexus Community Partners - MacArthur Foundation" - https://www.macfound.org/grantee/nexus-community-partners-10114570/ (Accessed December 2024)
  23. "Nexus Community Partners Announces $50 Million Open Road Fund for Black Minnesotans and Dakotans" - Nexus Community Partners - https://nexuscp.org/nexus-community-partners-announces-50-million-open-road-fund-for-black-minnesotans-and-dakotans/ (Accessed December 2024)
  24. "City of Saint Paul Engages Nexus Community Partners on LOCAL Fund" - City of Saint Paul - https://www.stpaul.gov/news/city-saint-paul-engages-nexus-community-partners-local-fund (Accessed December 2024)
  25. "Charity Navigator - Rating for Nexus Community Partners" - https://www.charitynavigator.org/ein/300658898 (Accessed December 2024)
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