Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation uplifts leaders advancing racial equity

As Minnesota continues to wrestle with long-standing racial disparities, the Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation is celebrating leaders who are working to build a more just and equitable state. The foundation’s annual Facing Race Awards, now in its 18th year, highlights local change-makers who challenge systemic inequities and reimagine opportunities for all communities.

Chanda Smith Baker, the foundation’s newly appointed president and CEO, said her vision for the organization is rooted in collaboration, equity, and community-centered leadership. “Making sure community is our compass is central to how we move forward,” Smith Baker said. “We listen to residents, respond to their needs, and convene stakeholders to advance shared goals.”

Founded in 1969 as the St. Paul Foundation, the organization merged with the Minnesota Foundation in 2017 to form the Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation, now the state’s largest community foundation. Its mission is to harness philanthropy and community resources to address both immediate needs and long-term structural challenges, supporting initiatives ranging from education and economic development to racial equity and arts and culture. Over the years, the foundation has built a reputation for using its convening power to foster collaboration across diverse communities and political perspectives.

Smith Baker brings decades of community-based leadership to her new role. A Minneapolis native, she previously served as president and CEO of Pillsbury United Communities and as senior vice president and chief impact officer at the Minneapolis Foundation. Her career has spanned nonprofits, philanthropy, and civic leadership, often focused on addressing inequities in education, housing, and economic opportunity.

“My work has always been about building equitable opportunities in neighborhoods and communities,” she said. “Stepping into this role is a natural extension of that work.” Smith Baker, a 2025 Bush Fellow, emphasized the importance of sustainable leadership and self-care in her new position. “The fellowship has been helping me understand how to maintain balance, develop as a storyteller, and support other leaders in advancing their own visions,” she said.

The foundation’s Facing Race Awards, first established in 2007, recognize individuals across Minnesota who are advancing racial justice through innovative, community-driven work. Recipients are chosen not for self-promotion but for their demonstrated impact in challenging inequities, often quietly and consistently. This year, the foundation honored five leaders representing diverse communities from both the Twin Cities and greater Minnesota.

Tsega Tamene, who manages the awards program, highlighted the significance of recognizing work beyond the metro area. “It’s important to honor leaders across the state, because while communities are unique, the work of imagining a more just Minnesota connects us all,” Tamene said. This year, the foundation received 156 nominations, representing 85 unique nominees. A committee of past awardees and community leaders reviewed the submissions to select the honorees.

“Many of the leaders we celebrate don’t do this work for recognition,” Tamene said. “This is hands-on, often exhausting work, yet taking a moment to pause, reflect, and celebrate their contributions is essential. Joy and rest are forms of resistance.”

Smith Baker emphasized that the foundation’s role in convening stakeholders is especially important in a politically charged climate. “People are living with fear, disparities are more obvious, and mistrust of institutions exists,” she said. “Our responsibility is to show that we understand the struggle and can work alongside the community to identify solutions.”

In her personal life, Smith Baker values simplicity and restoration. “I’m a reader, love spending time with family and friends, and travel when I can. Downtime feeds my spirit and allows me to show up fully in my work,” she said. She also hopes her leadership will inspire the next generation of Minnesota leaders. “Invest in yourself, learn your own leadership style, and build relationships. Everyone has a path; find yours and lean into it intentionally,” she said.

The Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation’s emphasis on celebrating leadership and fostering equity underscores a broader vision of community-led change. By combining philanthropy with deep engagement and recognition of grassroots efforts, the foundation seeks to create lasting impact across the state. As Smith Baker steps into her role, she aims to strengthen those connections, leveraging the foundation’s resources to support communities that have historically been underrepresented in decision-making.

From honoring leaders with the Facing Race Awards to convening diverse stakeholders, the foundation continues to be a vital force in Minnesota’s efforts to address racial disparities and uplift all residents. As Smith Baker noted, “It’s about listening, responding, and building together. Community is the compass, and collective action is our path forward.”

The Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation is Minnesota’s largest community foundation, leveraging philanthropy and partnerships to strengthen communities, advance racial equity, and support leaders driving positive change across the state. For more information, visit www.spmcf.org.