TUBMAN - MINNEAPOLIS, MN

COMMERCIAL KITCHEN PARTNERSHIP AND OPERATIONS PLANNING

FINANCIAL MODELING, INFRASTRUCTURE PLANNING | 2023 - 2024

Tubman, a Twin Cities-based non-profit advancing opportunities for safety, hope, and healing in the lives of trauma victims, contracted with Food Works Group (FWG), in partnership with DCN Strategies, to help determine wider community-serving operations for their 7,638 sq ft East Metro commercial kitchen space. By engaging with stakeholders from Tubman and the local food ecosystem, FWG identified potential mission-aligned partners to support the design and build out processes. Ultimately, operations are expected to include rentable kitchen/co-manufacturing space to bolster the growth of local food businesses, as well as a program that provides regular meals to Tubman facility residents.

GRANT WRITING TO SUPPORT UNDERSERVED ENTREPRENEURS

FUNDRAISING & RESOURCE IDENTIFICATION, FACILITATION & LEADERSHIP | 2024

In collaboration with DCN Strategies LLC, Food Works Group created a repository of public and private fundraising opportunities for Tubman to consider, along with its committed operating partners: Involve MN, 4Access Partners, and FoodOps. FWG and DCN facilitated conversations amongst this working group to determine the appropriate parties to lead each charge. One resulting substantial ask was made by FWG and DCN to the Minnesota Department of Agriculture for Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure (RFSI) Grant funds to cover major capital costs for buildout of the co-manufacturing space. A portion of the match funds for this grant were requested from other key players in the regional food manufacturing ecosystem.