About
Mind the G.A.P.P.
Empowering everyone with the tools and support to achieve their fullest potential in every aspect of life.
The Bridge to Prosperity.
Established in 2017, Mind the G.A.P.P. (MTG) is a multi-faceted workforce development initiative that was created to improve the quality of life of unemployed and under-employed participants by improving their employment outcome and developing individual earnings potential. Built on the premise that work transforms lives, MTG's programs not only help individuals generate incomes sufficient to support their families but also aggressively promote long-term change via career advancement support, financial stabilization services, and solid community connections.​
Simply put, our mission is focused on creating pathways for individuals to close the gap to prosperity.
MTG is dedicated to serving, equipping, and empowering unemployed and underemployed BIPOC Minnesotans, helping them secure meaningful employment and build strong, sustainable futures as engaged and productive members of their communities. Our primary focus is addressing racial and economic disparities in Minneapolis, Minnetonka, Hopkins, St. Louis Park, Plymouth, and Golden Valley, while also working to combat broader inequities across Minnesota and the nation.
Our program participants come from the seven-county metro area, greater Minnesota, and neighboring states such as Wisconsin. To reach and engage potential participants, we leverage social media platforms and collaborate with our community partners. Additionally, we are strengthening our leadership by integrating former MTG program graduates into our board of directors and establishing an advisory committee comprising alumni, partners, and community members to ensure our services remain relevant and impactful.
MTG is also proud to partner with Mayor Brad Wiersum and Chief of Police Scott Boerboom to address significant disparities in Minnetonka. According to DataUSA, while Black residents represent just 5% of Minnetonka’s population, they account for 16% of those living in poverty—equating to 17% of the Black population in the city. This stark inequity highlights the urgent need for community-driven solutions. MTG will engage clients, stakeholders, and the wider community in meaningful discussions to tackle this disparity and create pathways toward equity and opportunity for all residents.
Through these efforts, MTG remains steadfast in its mission to build a more just and inclusive future.
A diverse workforce of engaged, confident, and self-reliant Minnesotans.
Founded on the premise that work transforms lives, Mind the G.A.P.P. seeks to improve the quality of life of unemployed and underemployed participants by improving employment outcomes and increasing individual earning potential.
Life-changing Initiatives.
Mind the G.A.P.P. is dedicated to creating life-changing initiatives that bridge gaps in Growth, Access, Purpose, and Prosperity. Through innovative programs, strategic partnerships, and community-driven solutions, we empower individuals to overcome barriers, unlock opportunities, and achieve their full potential. Whether through education, workforce development, or social impact initiatives, Mind the G.A.P.P. is committed to transforming lives and building a more inclusive, equitable future for all.
Our Goals.
Serve More Women.
Phase I
We aim to expand our enrollment and support for women, with a particular focus on women of color, across all of our program tracks, including the Driving Beyond Barriers Program. By broadening our outreach and engagement strategies, we plan to create pathways that address the unique challenges faced by women of color and provide the tailored support they need to achieve success.
Our plan includes utilizing new funding sources specifically targeted to serve women, ensuring our resources are aligned with their needs and experiences. Historically, our funding streams and target populations were centered primarily on BIPOC males residing in North Minneapolis. While this remains a vital focus, we recognize the need to intentionally expand our reach to support more women, who are often disproportionately affected by economic and social barriers.
With these funds, we will enhance program components such as childcare support, mentorship opportunities, transportation assistance, and skill-building workshops, all tailored to meet the needs of women in our programs. Additionally, we are committed to collaborating with community organizations that specialize in serving women and families to strengthen our impact and create a more inclusive network of support.
This initiative is part of our broader commitment to equity and empowerment, ensuring that women of color have the tools, resources, and opportunities to thrive as leaders, contributors, and changemakers in their communities.
Expand Our Services.
Phase II
We aim to expand and enhance our Financial Empowerment programming by providing more robust online and hybrid support options. With the help of direct funding sources, we plan to strengthen both our virtual and in-person programming to ensure greater accessibility and impact for participants.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, our Money Management Mondays YouTube series gained significant traction, allowing us to reach a wider audience with critical financial literacy content. Building on this momentum, we formally launched the Financial Literacy and Capability Program in 2021, achieving remarkable milestones. To date, over 50 participants have successfully completed the in-person program or budget training and implementation, and more than four participants have become homeowners in just the past two years.
With additional funding, we aim to expand our virtual infrastructure to include interactive workshops, one-on-one financial coaching, and on-demand resources that participants can access from anywhere. This will allow us to reach more individuals, particularly those facing barriers to attending in-person sessions. Our vision includes leveraging digital tools, such as mobile apps and webinars, to provide practical guidance on budgeting, credit building, debt management, and homeownership preparation.
By scaling our program online while maintaining strong in-person support, we hope to empower even more individuals and families to achieve financial independence and long-term stability. This expansion aligns with our mission to provide accessible, actionable financial education to underserved communities and equip them with the skills to build brighter futures.
Build Our Partners.
Phase II & III
Fundraising remains one of our organization’s top strategic priorities, alongside delivering exceptional, high-quality training services that empower our participants to achieve lasting success. By securing robust funding streams, we aim to sustain and expand our programs, ensuring we can meet the growing needs of the communities we serve.
As part of our mission, we are committed to continuing and strengthening our efforts in Minnetonka and its neighboring cities—St. Louis Park, Hopkins, Plymouth, Golden Valley, and Edina. These communities are integral to our service area, and we intentionally focus on providing accessible, impactful programs that address the unique challenges faced by residents in these areas.
With enhanced fundraising efforts, we will not only maintain the quality of our existing services but also explore new opportunities for innovation, including expanding program tracks, deepening community partnerships, and addressing systemic disparities. Our goal is to ensure that all participants—regardless of their starting point—have the resources, training, and support to succeed and thrive. Through strategic investments, we are building a sustainable foundation to serve these communities for years to come.