Nexus COVID-19 Emergency Funding

“We are fooling ourselves if we think the nation can recover and heal without reimagining and rebuilding the systems and institutions the virus has revealed to be inadequate and broken.”

—Angela Glover Blackwell and Michael MacAfee

COVID-19 is unprecedented. This virus has left no community, no sector, no class untouched, and yet, painfully and predictably, COVID-19 is playing out along the well-worn lines of oppression. Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) communities are being hit the hardest in this pandemic, and there are not nearly enough resources going to support these communities.

Through the MN Disaster Relief Fund, Thrivent Foundation, and Mortenson Foundation, Nexus has been awarded $175,000 to support businesses struggling because of COVID-19. We have seen billions of dollars going to large corporations, and far fewer dollars to go support the economic anchors of BIPOC communities—small businesses and cooperatives.

It may go without saying, but we did not receive enough to fund every business and cooperative that needs it. We have chosen to strategically leverage our funding to support business that are falling through the cracks—established businesses that have BIPOC ownership or a majority BIPOC employees and are cornerstones of their community.

Specifically, Nexus COVID-19 relief grantees meet the following criteria:

• Businesses with Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) owners, or that employ a majority of BIPOC employees.
• Located in our priority areas of East Side of St. Paul (primarily Dayton’s Bluff and Payne-Phalen), North Minneapolis, Brooklyn Park, Brooklyn Center, and South Minneapolis.
• Have less than 50 employees
• Have been in operation for at least a year

Grants range up to $20,000 depending on the size of the business and are for general operating expenses. Businesses can use them at their discretion. UPDATE: At this point in time, we have distributed all of the funding.

We have compiled a list of recovery resources for business and, through the Nexus Business Legacy Program, we are offering free consultations for business owners to learn about transitioning to employee ownership.

In Solidarity,

The Nexus Team

Hello folks! Today ​we are pleased to announce that we are opening up the application for ​cohort 8 of the Boards and Commissions Leadership Institute (BCLI)! ​The BCLI is a 7 month leadership program that trains and helps place Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) communities on publicly appointed boards and commissions in support of a racial and economic equity agenda. Now more than over we need BIPOC voices at many decision making and policy monitoring tables!

If you are an alumni and you know someone that would be a GREAT FIT for BCLI, please nominate them. Or, if you are an organization who has someone in their network would  be a good fit for the program, we welcome your nominations too – we’d love to have them participate.

If you are interested in learning more about BCLI because you’re not sure what it is, please join us May 21st at 6PM for an online information session ​where BCLI staff and alumni will join us to answer questions. Sign up on Eventbrite and RSVP with Chai Lee via email: clee@nexuscp.org to get a zoom link to the future info session on May 21, 2020!

Community Wealth Building Coordinator Nkuli Shongwe recently returned from a cooperative learning trip to Puerto Rico*. Look out for upcoming blogs about her experience on the island and site visits to local cooperatives, including a hydroelectric cooperative and farming co-op. 

Adjuntas, Puerto Rico is lush and mountainous, a striking environment for our first site visit.  Casa Pueblo is a local grassroots non-profit, solar-powered community and cultural center established 39 years ago. The story of Casa Pueblo is beautiful and intricate and reveals deep roots in community engagement. Alexis Massol González, one of the Casa Pueblo’s founders, welcomed us and introduced us to the beautiful, intricate, and deeply rooted history of the organization. González’s forumula captures the essence of Casa Pueblo : science + culture + community = social change.

Casa Pueblo emerged 39 years ago in response to ecology crisis and resource extraction. When gold, silver, and copper were discovered in Adjuntas and neighboring towns Utuado, Lares, and Jayuja, the Puerto Rican government welcomed and encouraged open-pit mining in the area. With government support, mining companies from the U.S acquired 36,000 acres of land. The consequences of open-pit mining include permanent water pollution, destruction of the rainforest, and severe health, economic, and social issues. 

Deyá and González, along with other community members, worked tirelessly to educate community about the implications of open-pit mining through concerts at schools, universities, and town squares. They organized a large protest at the White House in D.C. (Casa Blanca) that resulted in some arrests, huge media coverage, and raised national awareness. Fifteen years after their coordinated organizing campaign and engagement process, they garnered support from over 10,000 people in Puerto Rico and from the mainland U.S.

Mobilizing their communities and building people power worked—Casa Pueblo was able to keep the forest space and privatize the whole forest. The forest, called Bosque Escuela la Olimpia (Olympia Forest School), is now run by Casa Pueblo and is home to many educational programs. 

In recent years, Casa Pueblo has been focusing on solar energy. After Hurricane Maria in 2017 and after the recent 2020 earthquakes, the organization provided solar energy when electricity was not available otherwise. It served as a community hub where people could come and charge their phones to connect with family, listen to the radio, and get news. In April 2020, Casa Pueblo hopes to expand the network of solar grids to local hospitals, churches, and businesses in order to build energy independence from PREPA, the island’s utility provider. Casa Pueblo is Adjunatas’ resiliency hub. This year, they will be celebrating their 40th anniversary, long history, and bright future on Earth day.

Written by Nonkululeko (Nkuli) Shongwe

*Nkuli is a first-year Masters of Human Rights student at the University of Minnesota. She participated in this trip through the Global Convergence Lab, an interdisciplinary course at the U of M that brings together students diverse backgrounds to explore the complexity of Global Resiliency issues. The lab is co-coordinated by the School of Architecture, the Humphrey School of Public Affairs, and the Acara Program (at the Institute on the Environment). 

ORGANIZATION OVERVIEW:  Nexus Community Partners is a community-building intermediary whose mission is to “build more engaged and powerful communities of color by supporting community-building initiatives and foster social and human capital.”

POSITION SUMMARY: We are seeking an energetic and creative individual who will provide leadership and implementation of essential finance & administration needs of the organization.  The position reports directly to the President and CEO and works closely with the leadership team and Board to provide strategic leadership and to ensure financial strength, flexibility and sustainability. The Director of Finance builds strong relationships with all staff, while promoting and modeling equity and accountability. The Director of Finance will join our dynamic and diverse staff of thoughtful, equity-driven individuals who are deeply committed to the organization’s values.

POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES:

Financial Performance

• Responsible for the hands on and daily management of the accounting and financial processes within the organization.Balances the organization’s fiscal needs with available resources.
• Plan, develop, organize, implement, direct and evaluate the organization’s accounting, and financial function and performance.
• Responsible for the development and management of the organization’s budget and for communicating progress towards meeting financial objectives to all stakeholders, including the Board of Directors.
• Develops and presents accurate reports to assist in the overall financial management of the organization.
• Ensures that assets are properly controlled, resources are utilized appropriately, and activities are reported accurately and in a timely manner.
• Responsible for the development of a reliable cash flow projection process and reporting mechanism.
• Identifies opportunities for improvement, cost reduction, and systems enhancement.
• Monitors financial performance by measuring and analyzing results; initiating corrective actions; minimizing the impact of variances.Provides accurate, timely and meaningful financial analysis.
• Responsible for management of agency compliance filing and tax preparations.
• Oversite and supervision to the audit processes, ensuring favorable outcomes and continual improvement.
• Evaluate and advise on the financial impact of strategic and long-range planning, introduction of new programs/strategies and regulatory action.
• Enhance and/or develop, implement and uphold financial policies and procedures of the organization that will improve the overall operation and effectiveness of the agency.
• Support program staff in financially managing their contracts, program budgets and program activities.
• Informs the President and CEO and Board of Directors of financial and operational issues on a timely basis.Identifies obstacles and risks to the financial or operational health of the agency.  Assists in developing risk mitigation strategies to address contingencies that may arise.
• Optimize the handling of bank and deposit relationships and initiate appropriate strategies to enhance cash position.
• Manages the accounting system (QuickBooks) and any processes/systems in which data is imported into or exported from this system.
• Be an advisor, from the financial perspective, on any contracts into which the organization may enter.
• Manage and complete all aspects of accounts payable and accounts receivable process.

Leadership

• Clearly articulate organizational goals for financial and programmatic stability and growth; motivate and inspire others to support the vision and enthusiastically model the values of the organization.
• Maintain strong and effective internal relationship with the Board and staff.
• Foster a culture of cooperation and mutual respect among staff; supporting programs to be effective, efficient and impactful in their work.
• Provide opportunities for staff to learn about and contribute to the budgeting process.
• Responsible for leading the finance and operations of the organization in a manner that supports and guides the organization’s mission as defined by the Board of Directors.
• Responsible for communicating effectively with the Board by providing, in a timely and accurate manner, all financial information necessary for the Board to function properly and to make informed decisions.
• Provide support activities for the Board, such as participating in the Finance Committee meetings, or other Committees as requested.
• Support a respectful, inclusive work culture and environment to engage and support all employees. Act with intention to create and promote equity within the organization.

 QUALIFICATIONS:

Assets of most interest to the hiring committee include the following:

• BA in accounting or finance preferred; CPA a plus or comparable work experience
• Experience working with nonprofits in a financial leadership position is strongly preferred
• Personal qualities of integrity, credibility, trustworthiness, and unwavering commitment to the organization’s mission; a proactive, hands-on strategic thinker who will own the responsibility for finance and administration
• Solid experience coordinating audit activities and managing reporting, budget development and analysis, forecasting, accounts payable and receivable, general ledger, and accounting for investments
• Technology savvy with advanced knowledge of accounting and reporting software, including QuickBooks for Nonprofits
• 5+ years’ experience in leadership positions, either in community, a volunteer position, or past employment.
• Keen analytic, organization, and problem-solving skills, which allows for strategic data interpretation vs. simple reporting
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills; experience in effectively communicating key data, including presentations to leadership team, board, or other outside stakeholders
• Ability and desire to translate complex financial concepts to individuals
• Capacity to work cross-culturally to achieve understanding and results. Ability to establish and maintain trust readily with a diverse set of partners
• Demonstrated understanding of culture and history as a foundation for building strategies in cultural communities
• Excellent oral and written communications skills
• Competent computer skills including Microsoft Office programs (Excel, Word, and PowerPoint). Design skills a plus.

BENEFITS:

Nexus offers medical, dental and vision insurance with premiums paid for individuals and family members at either 90% or 80% dependent on chosen plan. In addition, we offer life, short-term disability and long-term disability insurance with premiums paid in full. Benefits also include:  Paid time off each year (earned on an accrual basis), 12 paid holidays, health club benefits, Wellness Bucks & Wellness Hours and participation in an employer matched 401k plan. Nexus also provides professional development funds to all staff.

TO APPLY:

Please submit a resume and cover letter via email subject line: Application Director of Finance. Please label each document with your first and last name and mention how you found out about the position. In addition, in your cover letter, please explain what motivates you to work with Nexus Community Partners, and how your experience, skills and commitment will advance our work to create more engaged and powerful communities of color.

Email:  Jobs@nexuscp.org

Attn: Karen Law, Director of Human Resources (An email confirmation will be sent upon receipt of your application)

Phone: 651-289-7025

The hiring committee will review resumes as they are submitted and will remove the posting once hired.

NEXUS IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) and LGBTQIA+ individuals are strongly encouraged to apply.