Bancroft Neighborhood Association Bancroft Neighborhood Association Mission Statement The Bancroft Neighborhood Association (BNA) facilitates community inclusiveness, sustainability, awareness, investment, and involvement to promote a safe, vibrant neighborhood. The primary goals of the BNA are to: • Build interest of residents in the welfare of the neighborhood • Support the improvement of the neighborhood 2015 • Create awareness of issues that affect all residents of the neighborhood • Encourage participation of residents in neighborhood gatherings and initiatives Annual Report • Represent the neighborhood and its residents in the wider community

Bancroft Neighborhood Association 4120 17th Avenue South Minneapolis, MN 55407 612-724-5313 phone 612-724-3694 fax Email: [email protected] Website: www.bancroftneighborhood.org

BNA volunteers work together in the Meridian Garden — the first urban food forest in . 2 Organizational Overview Financial Statement 7

Organizational Overview Bancroft Neighborhood Association Profit and Loss Standard elcome and thank you for attending the 2016 Bancroft Neighborhood January through December 2015 Association (BNA) Annual Meeting. Volunteer organizations like BNA are only as strong as the people who give their time and energy for the greater gWood. Fortunately for Bancroft, there are a number of highly motivated, skilled, and energized people that invest their time for the betterment of the community. Throughout the year, BNA works on issues that are important to residents and busi- nesses through our three committees: Green Initiatives, Housing and Commercial Development, and Outreach. You can read more about their work herein. BNA also builds partnerships with area nonprofits, schools, business associations, and other neighborhood organizations. Through our work with the SUN Project (along with Central, Bryant, Corcoran, Powderhorn, Standish-Ericsson, Longfellow, and ), we’ve focused on rental property issues, park equity, inspections, and helping the City better focus on neighborhoods. BNA continues to look for volunteers to serve on boards and committees, and volun- teer for programs and projects through-out the neighborhood. If you’d like to get involved, please speak to a board member or contact the BNA office. BNA continues to look for volunteers to serve on boards and committees, and volun- teer for programs and projects throughout the neighborhood. If you’d like to get involved, please speak to a board member or contact the BNA office. Community Council and Staff The BNA Community Council (board of directors) oversees the activities of the organization as well as its mission to involve residents in improving the neighborhood. Officers: President Joe Hatch, Vice-President Banio Carpenter, Secretary Neal Baxter, Treasurer Kyle Gaffaney Community Council Members: Geneva Fin, Josh Casey, Julie Zamora, Matt Toburen, Keith Twist, Lisa Lindstrom, Jess Rosenfeld, Catherine Mandle, and Dan Gilchrest Executive Director: Luke Stultz Luke, as staff of the organization, helps the neighborhood meet its goals by working to organize the community and develop the organization. Specifically, staff provides support to the Community Council, committees, and other volunteers. Staff also administers BNA programs, coordinates publicity, maintains the office, and manages funding contracts. 6 Financial Statement BNA Committees 3

Bancroft Neighborhood Association BNA Committees Balance Sheet Standard As of December 31, 2015 Green Initiatives Committee The past year saw the 2nd year of Bancroft's Meridian Garden, at 12th Avenue & 38th Street. The Garden flourished, thanks to a summer with abundant rainfall and lots of sunshine. Apples came in strong, and so did cherries. The variety of flowers attracted hordes of bees, and children loved wandering through and eating the berries. We hope all of you enjoy the Meridian in the coming months. Please pick the fruit and leave the flowers; they're both for all to enjoy! We also hope to see some of you on work days, as upkeep of the Meridian takes many willing hands. Come to our first meeting of the year, February 20, at 9 AM, (3904 17th Ave.) if you want to help us tend this plot. Housing and Commercial Development Committee Since 1995, BNA has provided a home improvement loan program using NRP funds in partnership with TCF Bank. Over the 20-year period, there have been more than 160 home improvement loans processed totaling over $1.4 million in investments to neighborhood housing stock. The program has been a success; however, with changes occurring in the lending field, including cheaper loan options, the program unfortu- nately has come to an end. BNA is looking at starting a new, updated program in 2016; however, we need your help to do so. Throughout 2015, BNA has subsidized 27 home energy audits in the neighborhood, at a cost of $1,080. The Home Energy Audits were completed by the Center for Energy and Environment (CEE) and are available for $70 to any home in Minneapolis. For Bancroft residents, the neighborhood association buys that cost down to $30 per household. There are still spots left, so ask a board member if you’re interested. The HCD Committee worked hard this year on commercial development in the neighborhood. We had two local properties complete improvements using our NRP funds. In total, we awarded $6,871.50 to completed projects in and around the Bancroft neighborhood. The grants don’t just help the business owners, they help the entire neighborhood by improving the look and feel of our streets. For a number of years, the property at 3801 Bloomington has been vacant and in dis- repair. During 2015, the HCD Committee made it a priority to do something with this property and, working with CPED and Councilmember Glidden, successfully had it tore down in the summer. The property itself is currently going through the system to determine if it will be a tax forfeiture by Hennepin County. (continued next page) 4 BNA Committees Support Through Donations 5

Outreach Committee Support Through Donations The Outreach Committee has been hard at work putting together several events throughout 2015. The following businesses and organizations contributed to the Bancroft Neighborhood Association. Without this type of support, BNA would be unable to In July, we held the annual Ice Cream Social. This was the most well-attended social continue the work we do. We are appreciative of both the monetary and in-kind sup- we’ve had to date. We had great food from R.A. MacSammy’s food truck and ice port we’ve received. Thank you! cream from Grand Ole Creamery. The Nokomis Quilters made a Bancroft quilt that was raffled off and won by a neighborhood resident. In September, the committee put together a neighborhood slow bike ride. This fami- ly-friendly ride traversed each street in Bancroft. It was a fun time to get to know Ameriprise Financial Marla’s Caribbean Cuisine other Bancroft residents and learn about bike safety. Bethel Lutheran Church Mei Inn In October, BNA held a Fire Safety Event. At this event, we had the Minneapolis Fire Department, Red Cross, and the Community Emergency Response Team Carbone’s (CERT). Residents could sign up to have smoke detectors installed in their homes for free, as well as get information on putting together a plan to be used in case of emer- gency. courageous heARTS was on hand with an autumn-themed art project for kids, as was the MPD with one of their fire engines. City of Minnesota State Horticulture In December, the committee started a sledding group. Neighborhood residents can Minneapolis Society sign up by sending an email to the BNA office with “SLEDDING” in the subject Smoke in the Pit line. BNA will send out an email a day before (weather depending) and everyone will Covet Consign and Design meet at the Meadows. BNA will supply hot chocolate! CUP Foods Solid Waste Management Coordinating Board of Hennepin County Green Dakota County 2015 YTD Financial Summary Partners Initiative Tiny Diner The 2014-16 funding cycle from the City of Minneapolis (through CPP) is currently Hennepin Technical College underway. In total, BNA was allocated $37,813 for 2015. Due to BNA having assets to support the organization for a period of time, we are able to incur expenses and Jakeeno’s then submit for reimbursement under both CPP and NRP. During 2015, BNA continued to be the fiscal agent for Art Your Engine, a local non- profit arts organization for youth. This allows Art Your Engine to apply for grants and …and those individual donors in our community. take in donations under BNA’s 501(c)3 status, and allows BNA to raise a small amount of money through fiscal agency fees. The 2015 balance sheet and profit/loss statement are included herein. As always, copies of any BNA tax returns or other financial information are available from the BNA office or online. Please direct any questions to a board member or staff of the BNA.