News at Headwaters
Our blog posts highlight the latest news at Headwaters, insights on how we do philanthropy differently, and what collective liberation means to us. Sign up for updates to get these straight to your inbox!
Announcing the 2026-27 Giving Project Theme: Youth Organizing
In choosing youth organizing as this year’s theme, the Giving Project team wanted to make it clear that our vision for a liberatory future is incomplete without the leadership and input of young people. We believe that youth organizing should not simply utilize the labor of young people – it is a way of organizing that strategizes with young people’s leadership and engagement.
Six Months of Rapid Response: What We’re Seeing Across Minnesota
From eviction defense to immigrant community protection, the first four cycles of the Rapid Response Fund show how organizations across the state are responding to a rapidly changing political landscape. …
ICE out of MN: $120,000 in emergency funding
Since December, Minnesota has been under occupation by ICE and federal forces. In that time, our communities have been subjected to extraordinary violence and fear. Our immigrant family members, friends,…
Headwaters Launches Rapid Response Fund
Dear community, At Headwaters Foundation for Justice (HFJ), we know that the nature of grassroots organizing means that our funding cycles do not always align with organizations’ real-time financial needs…
Migdalia Loyola Meléndez Named as New Headwaters Co-Executive Director
Headwaters Foundation for Justice (HFJ) is thrilled to announce the appointment of Migdalia Loyola Meléndez, an accomplished leader with 30 years of experience in community engagement, nonprofit leadership, and grantmaking,…
Justice & Liberation Fund Moves $2 million to Black-Led Organizing
A historic $2 million is moving into the hands of Black-led organizers across Minnesota, guided entirely by community leadership. The 2025 Justice and Liberation Fund (J&L) will support 40 Black-led…
Moving $200,000 in Solidarity with Immigrant-Led and Trans-Led Organizing
“Headwaters will continue to support organizing to assert the rights, dignity, and humanity of all immigrants and trans people throughout Minnesota in all political conditions.” Since February, Headwaters has made…
Giving Project Cohort Moves Half a Million to Gender Justice Across Minnesota
“We’re doubling down on what we know to be true – that there is no collective liberation without gender justice.” With passion and purpose, the 2024-25 Giving Project cohort mobilized…
Embracing Change: Reflections from Co-Executive Director Bilal Alkatout
At Headwaters, we’ve spent the last two years building an organization that embraces change as a constant. This mindset keeps us grounded, moving forward with purpose, and growing our impact with consistency.
Co-Chairs in Conversation: The Benefits of Headwaters’ Shift to Co-Leadership
At Headwaters Foundation for Justice, we believe in the power of shared leadership to strengthen our work and deepen our impact. Our board’s decision to implement a Co-Chair model in…