How We Can Help

Who We're Helping

1House2Hands, Inc.
Agricultural and Food Sciences Academy
Aurora Charter School
City of Lakes Waldorf School
Excell Academy for Higher Learning, Inc.
Fraser Academy
Heart of the Earth Center for American Indian Education, Inc.
Hmong American Mutual Assistance Association, Inc.
Institute for New Americans
Jennings Experiential High School
La Creche Early Childhood Centers, Inc.
Liberty High
Lincoln International High School
Minnesota International Middle School
Minnesota Internship Academy
Minnesota Transitions Charter School
Northern Lights Building Company
Riverway Learning Community
SAGE Academy
Seed Daycare
Seven Hills Classical Academy
Sobriety High Charter School
St. Croix Preparatory Academy
Tesseract of Eagan, Inc.
Twin Cities International Elementary School
Ubah Medical Academy
Watershed High School

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Education

Lending to Charter Schools

Since 1997, Nonprofits Assistance Fund has originated 65 loans totaling $7.5 million to charter schools in Minnesota. Loans have been made to 39 schools, including both startup and established schools, ranging from $20,000 to $450,000. Through this financial support, including working capital and facilities loans, Nonprofits Assistance Fund helps to maintain a stable learning environment for thousands of students around Minnesota.

Over the last decade, Nonprofits Assistance Fund has developed special expertise in the finances of charter schools and their challenges and opportunities. Some of the key issues for schools are cash flow, financial management roles and responsibilities and the regulatory requirements of the state – student reports, detailed financial reports and annual audit.

For more information on charter schools in Minnesota, read Kate Barr’s blog, Charter School Myths and Realities, as well as our one-page report on Lending to Minnesota Charter Schools.

Featured Story

Metro Deaf School

"It's just a great experience working with Nonprofits Assistance Fund. They are very receptive. It's nice working with an organization that supports you and can see your vision." Director Dyan Sherwood

Metro Deaf School (MDS) is the nation’s second charter school to open and the only one in the state to cater to deaf and hard of hearing elementary students. After opening in 1993 with thirteen students, the school grew to serve 80 students, and moved to larger buildings – but they knew that they wanted a place of their own. One of the hardest tasks was finding a suitable building and figuring out how to pay for it.

Metro Deaf found a great location in Saint Paul, and also learned that their bank could approve a mortgage for the building – but the school needed a have a 20% down payment. They called on Nonprofits Assistance Fund and found a true partner. “Phil Hatlie, the loan officer at Nonprofits Assistance Fund, really went to bat for us,” says school director Nan Martin. “He did his homework and was there to see our vision all the way through.” Read more about how Nonprofits Assistance Fund helped MDS realize their vision of purchasing a building.

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