The Minneapolis Fed engages with communities in our six-state District and, through our Community Development team, works closely with policymakers and grass-roots leaders on topics such as housing and early childhood development.
Community Development
The Community Development & Engagement team at the Minneapolis Fed works to advance the economic well-being of low- to moderate-income people and communities across the Ninth Federal Reserve District. We use the tools of analysis, communication and convening to enhance understanding of emerging issues that affect low- and moderate-income people.
Our history dates back to 1981, when Congress established a network of Community Affairs offices throughout the Federal Reserve System to serve as a source of information and guidance about the Community Reinvestment Act (CRA), or CRA. While community reinvestment is still at the heart of what we do, our work today also addresses the challenges of early childhood education and housing affordability.
Community Engagement
We engage with our Ninth District communities through economic education, public events, and open town hall forums covering a variety of financial and monetary policy topics.
Our Helena Branch sponsors the Native American Mentoring Program, which focuses on career development with the goal of creating a pipeline of successful high school and college interns. In Minneapolis, we also promote a popular paid summer internship program.
To educate and engage with the public, we connect through our booth at the Minnesota State Fair and at other events, such as Doors Open. Our experts are available to speak to clubs and organizations. We host a Conversation with the Fed series, an ongoing regional economic webinar series, and Minneapolis Fed President Neel Kashkari annually conducts town hall sessions in each of the district’s states, meeting with diverse audiences to bring their views and guidance to Washington, D.C., when he meets with colleagues on the Federal Open Market Committee.