Our Three Funding Pillars

Rooted Philanthropic focuses on three funding pillars. Separately, these pillars provide opportunities for individual and family betterment. Collectively, they provide opportunities for community development, repair and progress. Ultimately, the goal is to support sustainable, generational wealth, health and well-being, breaking down systemic barriers that have historically inhibited equitable social and financial security for all who call the East Side home.

While these pillars are broad in scope, the specific funding strategies will continue to evolve alongside community participation and advisement. We are committed to supporting the full diversity that makes up the East Side communities. Our grantmaking strategies will be culturally competent, defined by community, measurable, and sustainable for long-term change.

See this map to understand our funding service area.

  • People dining in restaurant on the East Side

    Entrepreneurship & Small Business

    Creating and building ideas and businesses is a long-term path to sustainable economic security and generational asset-building.

    The East Side of Saint Paul is a rich tapestry of cultures, historically welcoming people from around the world. Many residents have turned to entrepreneurship—not only to support their families, but also to share their talents and cultural knowledge with the broader community.

    To nurture this entrepreneurial spirit and foster a thriving, locally owned economy, we are investing in the “Three Cs” framework: Cohort, Capability and Capital. We acknowledge generational systemic failures with efforts that intentionally prioritize business owners who have historically faced barriers to opportunity and access to support systems vital for success.

  • Smiling teens sit at tables looking at something off camera

    Education

    A quality and holistic education is fundamental to opportunity.

    We understand that access to a quality education is a gateway for future success, whether that be entry into college, a career, a trade or an entrepreneurial enterprise. Education provides the foundation from which to thrive. While there are many important and effective educational programs in our community, Rooted Philanthropic’s sole educational focus currently is supporting the Future Leader Scholarship program at Hill-Murray High School.

  • Wellness

    The active pursuit of physical, mental, emotional, and social well-being is an individual and collective set of activities that make each of us and our neighborhoods safer and more resilient.

    Wellness is much broader than physical health and activity.  The Global Wellness Institute defines wellness as “the active pursuit of activities, choices and lifestyles that lead to a state of holistic health.”  Thus, wellness is not passive but active and associated with choices and actions that extend beyond physical health and encompass body, mind, spirit, relationships, and the world around us. Collectively these choices and actions create the opportunity for one to improve their overall well-being as well as to strengthen communities.

  • Special Initiatives

    Occasionally, the foundation addresses a need identified by the community by facilitating short or long-term initiatives that do not neatly fit into one of our three funding pillars.

    EAST SIDE SAINT PAUL WOMEN LEADERS INITIATIVE

    Click below to learn more about The East Side Saint Paul Women Leaders Initiative