Grounded & Growing
Creating structures and supports for stable, affordable housing and stronger, more equitable communities.
Kizzy L. Downie, CEO
Osborne Strickland, Board Chair
A message from the CEO and board chair
Dear Friends,
Model Cities is grounded and growing—rooted in the voices, experiences, and resilience of our community while building supports needed for stability, opportunity, and belonging. Even as we’ve navigated uncertainty with federal and state funding, our focus remained on showing up for people in practical, community-driven ways. “We believe communities thrive when people thrive” is our mantra for action (and care), anchoring us and giving us room to stretch and innovate.
Together, we piloted seven-day bed reservations at Safe Space, offering dignified options for shelter guests balancing work and appointments. We secured funding for our Homeownership Accelerator pilot to expand pathways to homeownership for BIPOC households. We strengthened how we connect through a new, more accessible website and deeper neighborhood partnerships.
As we approach our 60th anniversary in 2027, we are honoring our history while building a future with more equitable communities. A future that we will continue creating together.
By the numbers (2025)
2,324
Individuals served across all programs
544
People got financial education and homeownership advising
50
Households advised by Economic Services became homeowners
1,598
Unhoused adults served at Safe Space Shelter
Audited financials (2025)
Our 2025 financials demonstrate our capacity to meet challenges head-on while deepening the quality of our services.
Stories of impact (2025)
Explore each story to see how we’re building equitable communities together:
Our Homeownership accelerator was created to move the needle for wealth & homeownership opportunity gaps
Sanneh Foundation and other key partners help us sustain an ecosystem of care for our neighbors
BROWNstone commercial tenants, Midway Deli & Grocery and Brick by Brick build up–and give back–to community
Model Cities moves the needle
Safe Space piloted seven-day bed reservations, reducing daily access barriers for shelter guests and supporting work and appointment schedules.
Our Homeownership Accelerator found funding fuel to expand homebuyer readiness for BIPOC households in the metro.
We launched a new agency website designed to improve user experience and accessibility, connecting community to programs, resources, and impact.
Our team increased local (and national) awareness of Model Cities through community events and media engagement while deepening nearby partnerships.
Sanneh sends SNAP support
Changes to SNAP benefits in 2025 brought food access challenges for many Minnesotans. In response, Sanneh Foundation held food distribution events in Saint Paul including 2,000+ meals over eight weeks delivered to our residents.
Rondo Block Party honors history
Model Cities staff spent time in community at the Rondo Block Party which celebrates the rich history of the Rondo neighborhood, honoring the past, celebrating the present, and connecting the threads of our shared story.
Model Cities named GTCUW Community Investment Partner
As a 2025-2028 program partner with Greater Twin Cities United Way we will work alongside 90+ Twin Cities nonprofits to create a region where all families have the resources they need to thrive.
Dorcas Circle gives back
Thank you to the Dorcas Circle group from Camphor Memorial United Methodist Church in Saint Paul for donating lunch bags, hygiene kits, and winter garments for our Safe Space shelter guests.
In-kind giving that makes a big impact
Kelly created care bags; Katia brought pillows and jackets; StreetWorks donated socks; You Matter gave face masks, gloves, and sanitizer wipes; Sande and the Central Baptist Church organized a coat drive for shelter guests.
Lending a hand at Hallie Q. Brown
We modeled the power of partnership by volunteering with the 97-year-old neighboring organization. Our staff pitched in to organize donations, paint the welcome area, recover art from storage to brighten up the space, and more!
Thanking Our Supporters
Thank you to our donors, partners, advocates, allies, volunteers, and community. Whether we’re facing challenging times or finding time to appreciate the wins, we know that the way forward is together. Your support helps us weather it all!
CORPORATIONS AND FOUNDATIONS
Allianz Life Insurance
Amherst H. Wilder Foundation c/o Saint Paul Promise Neighborhood (SPPN)
Andersen Corporate Foundation
Arend Family Impact Fund
Bob and Diane Corderre Family Fund
Build Wealth Minnesota
C.H. Robinson Foundation
Elmer L. & Eleanor J. Andersen Foundation
F.R. Bigelow Foundation
Greater Twin Cities United Way
H. B. Fuller Foundation
Joseph C. & Lillian A. Duke Foundation
Margaret A. Cargill Foundation
McKnight Foundation
Neighborhood Development Center Inc.
The Patrick and Aimee Butler Family Foundation
Pohlad Family Foundation
Propel Nonprofits
Richard M. Schulze Family Foundation
The Riverway Foundation
Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation
Scoular Foundation
Snedeker Charitable Fund
Target Foundation
GOVERNMENT
City of Saint Paul
Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC)
Metropolitan Council, LCDA-TOD
Minnesota Department of Human Services
Minnesota Homeownership Center
Minnesota Housing
Ramsey County, Housing Redevelopment Authority
Ramsey County, Housing Stability Department
Saint Paul Public Housing Agency
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
INDIVIDUALS
Anonymous (9)
Kyle Adamson
Mark Anderson
Brenda & Robert Bailey
Lynn Ball
Tanya Boigenzahn Sowards
William Bronn
Susan Brown
Kirstin Burch
Joseph & Nancy Burkhardt
William Delaney
Faith Dietz
Kizzy Downie
Skylar Farb
Hilde Flynn
Amanda Frayeh
Jeru Gobeze
Meg Grove
Beverley Hawkins
Jean Henjum & Gerry Flannery
Babette Jamison Varner
Steven Landberg
Heidi Leise
Diana Lillicrap
Katie Marty
Katia McDonough & Melanie Ruda
John & Kristine Nymoen
Marilyn Porter
Andrew Ranallo
Hillary Reeves
Julie Richards
Melanie A. Ruda
Wendy Ruyle
Fumiko Salone
Stephanie Schultz
Amy Schwabe
Karen & Bill Snedeker
James & Ruth Stevens
Osborne Strickland
Alex Westberg
Linda White
Charles Williams III
Nancy Zingale
PRIVATE BUSINESSES
Associated Bank
Camphor Memorial United Methodist Church (Dorcas Circle)
Central Baptist Church
Central Community Services
Devanadi Yoga
Drawer
Garfinkel Immigration Law Firm
Generational Wealth Accounting Services, LLC
Menage LLC
National Association of Real Estate Brokers, Twin Cities
National United Church Ushers Association of America, LLC—Central Region
Old National Bank
Palisade Asset Management
Pilgrim Lutheran Church
Priomh Security Inc.
Resurrection City Church
Standard Heating
Twin Cities Mobile Loaves
You Matter
Planting What’s Next
Get involved with Model Cities to strengthen the roots of our community! We’re looking for donors to plant seeds of generosity, volunteers to nurture community-centering services, and advocates to support this ecosystem of care.
DONATE
Invest in impact that transforms individual lives, builds economic opportunity, and strengthens communities that need it most.
ADVOCATE
We celebrate advocates willing to articulate our value to community groups, civic organizations, private, foundational, and corporate funders, and the Legislature.
VOLUNTEER
We’re always looking for enthusiastic people with a variety of skills, put your talents and passions to use!
JOIN & SHARE
Inspired to do more? Join our social networks, attend one of our events, make a referral, or show up in whatever way works for you.
Thank you for reading our 2025 annual report! We look forward to connecting with you in 2026 and beyond.
We dedicate this report to the enduring memory of Mrs. Brenda Bolar-Ford
Mrs. Brenda joined our board in April 2015, helping to guide Model Cities during a period of growth and transformation. Her commitment to community-driven development and service to those facing the greatest barriers left a lasting impact.
