Community Partners

Community Partner Update for 26-27 School Year

We are so excited to announce that we are launching a new process for Community Partners to apply to work with Minneapolis Public Schools! 

We hope for this new process to:

• provide better defined partnership types, expectations, outcomes, and evaluation plans;
• bring visibility to the impact partners are having through internal and external communication practices; and 
• leverage partnerships to support capacity challenges and to strategically align partnerships to advance the mission, vision, values and goals of MPS.

The new process includes:

• A revised timeline allowing partnership applications the winter before the the school year when your program will operate; 
• A one-time Prospective Partner Application to be reviewed by a cross-functional MPS team;
• An annual Community Partner Agreement Form that will initiate the contracting process and collect relevant insurance and evaluation materials; and,
• A new template for program evaluation to be launched in the 26-27 school year.

For school year 26-27, ALL partners must complete the Prospective Partner Application, regardless of new or existing status.

Establishing/Expanding a School-Based Partnership

If you are interested in establishing a partnership with an MPS school or continuing an existing program for the 26-27 school year:

STEP 1: Review the definition of partner below to ensure you meet the criteria

STEP 2: Complete the Prospective Partner Application to tell us more about your program and/or capacity to expand

STEP 3: An External Relations staff member will be in touch with you to discuss next steps. If you are approved, you will be required to complete the Community Partner Agreement form, submit your required documentation, and enter into a legal agreement with the District.

Please review the Community Partner Onboarding Guide which provides more detailed information about partnering with MPS.

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Thank you for your interest in supporting Minneapolis Public Schools!

At MPS, we believe that partnerships with community organizations make a big difference in helping students grow, learn, and succeed. Whether you’re providing tutoring, afterschool programs, health services, mentoring, or other support, your work is an important part of our school community.

What are Community Partners?

Minneapolis Public Schools defines Community Partners as organizations that are:

• Formal entities including nonprofit organizations, private corporations, and government agencies.
• Capable of providing high-quality and ready-to-implement programs/services within District school communities. 
• Offering ongoing programming during the school day or as part of an MPS after school program.
• Either paid by MPS or providing free services directly to students.
• Strategically aligned with district priorities and/or needs of individual schools.
• Vetted and approved through our application process. 

 

Other ways that external organizations work with MPS, outside of formal partnership and onboarding:

• Resource Partners: Organizations that offer occasional, short-term support, often through donations, events, or guest appearances. 
  • Resource Partners also share flyers for outside events with MPS students. Flyer distribution guidelines can be found on the MPS website.
• Individual volunteers: If you are interested in volunteering at a school, please review the MPS volunteer process. 
• Lease and facilities permit holders: Organizations can rent school buildings and grounds, or enter into lease agreements with the District for long term use of space. More information on facilities rental can be found on the MPS website.
• Researchers not associated with Community Partner programs or services:  If you are interested in research opportunities, please visit our Research & Planning Department’s External Research and Evaluation site.
• Itinerant Mental Health providers: Itinerant Mental Health providers who are providing services to individual students may follow the process on the Mental Health Department webpage.

 

Please visit our Prospective Partner page to learn more about the process for becoming a community partner.