General Mills pledges long-term support for North Minneapolis

$100,000 in charitable grants to be awarded by the General Mills Foundation

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. – At a monthly gathering of community leaders from the Hawthorne neighborhood of North Minneapolis, the General Mills Foundation announced plans for long-term support of North Minneapolis’ rebuilding efforts following the devastating tornadoes that struck the area a week ago. Today’s announcement is in addition to the General Mills Foundation’s previous pledge of $25,000 to support immediate disaster response efforts in North Minneapolis.

The long-term support includes $100,000 in charitable grants from the General Mills Foundation awarded over the course of the next 12 months. The grants will be made to local nonprofit organizations in North Minneapolis with programs dedicated to rebuilding the community.

"For more than 12 years, the General Mills Foundation has developed a special relationship with North Minneapolis by hosting the Hawthorne Huddle, an open invitation ‘town hall’ breakfast for community leaders to discuss immediate and long-term issues facing North Minneapolis,” said Ellen Goldberg Luger, vice president and General Mills Foundation executive director. “Today, we commit to deepening our relationship with North Minneapolis in order to help the community rebuild and emerge even stronger.”

The grant selection process will take place this summer. The General Mills Foundation plans to work closely with the City of Minneapolis, the EJ Henderson Foundation, the Mayor’s Youth Congress and the Northside Community Response Team in selecting the organizations receiving funding.

About General Mills
One of the world’s leading food companies, General Mills operates in more than 100 countries and markets more than 100 consumer brands, including Cheerios, Häagen-Dazs, Nature Valley, Betty Crocker, Pillsbury, Green Giant, Old El Paso, Progresso, Yoplait, Cascadian Farm, Muir Glen, and more. Headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA, General Mills had fiscal 2010 global net sales of US$16 billion, including the company’s $1.2 billion proportionate share of joint venture net sales.

About the General Mills Foundation
The mission of the General Mills Foundation, celebrating 56 years of giving, is to nourish communities. In fiscal 2010, General Mills awarded more than $100 million to communities across the country. Of the total, the Foundation contributed $22 million in grants in the targeted areas of hunger and nutrition wellness, and K-12 education. In addition, 82 percent of U.S. employees volunteer in the communities where they live and work.