The Hope Rising Campaign is a vision of Hope Academy for more Minneapolis children and families to discover true hope through a remarkable, God-centered education.
Minnesota has some of the worst educational outcomes and achievement gaps in the nation for students of color
1 in 4 Minneapolis Public School students won’t graduate on time from high school
Gen Z 5x more likely to be raised in a nonreligious household than baby boomers
At Hope Academy, we see the mark of God in each student, teacher, parent, and supporter—and so we expect God to do the remarkable. Hope was founded in 2000 to provide a remarkable, Christ-centered education for Minneapolis youth. When youth receive an academically-rigorous education that also celebrates the fingerprints of God within them, it fosters hope in God for them—and for the whole city.
77% children of color
70% low-income
78% live in Minneapolis
The outcomes of a Hope Academy education are helping Minneapolis youth find new and hopeful paths for their futures. As children from beautifully diverse and low-income backgrounds are welcomed into a safe and loving environment, remarkable things are happening. Hope Academy students not only advance academically, but develop faith and character as well through a classical model grounded in high expectations and uncompromising love.
Children thriving in a safe, loving, life-changing community
Students growing in wisdom, faith, & virtue
Graduates beating the odds & pursuing bright futures
God is supplying an amazing opportunity to double the number of students Hope Academy can serve by expanding and renovating our facility. Through divine timing and extraordinary provision, Hope recently purchased in cash the adjoining property next door for far below market value. This is an opportunity for more students, parents, teachers, and financial partners to be part of a movement of hope on the rise in Minneapolis.
A Hope Academy, tuition is customized, making it affordable for all. 90% of student costs are covered by financial partners who are invited to meet and pray for the student they sponsor. Become a financial partner to help more children realize their God-given potential. Learn about what it means to be a partner.
Through lead gifts, we’ve made significant progress on campaign funding to begin construction on the adjoining building. Help Hope Academy welcome more urban families by increasing our capacity. Renovations and construction will progress as funding allows.
Total Raised:
$34.4 Million
Total Campaign Goal:
$39.2 Million
Support the Free & Faithful Legacy Fund to endow the perpetual sponsorship of 100+ students. This fund ensures that we can continue to faithfully serve the children and families of Minneapolis with integrity and consistency for years to come. Learn more about giving for Future Stability.
Though Minnesota continues to have one of the worst high school graduation rates in the nation for students of color—and children in our local schools are facing enormous challenges—we’re grateful to see Hope Academy students beating the odds. By God’s grace, Hope Academy has proven to be an effective model in addressing the crisis in urban education.
We were able to negotiate with Allina Health System to purchase the 153,251 sq. ft. Phillips Eye Institute property (including a 550-stall parking ramp) for a well-below market price of $6.55MM, or about $44-$46/sq. ft. (not including the ramp). Comparable properties in Minneapolis are selling for $70-$100/sq. ft. (and nicer buildings in the $200+/sq. ft. range). The cost of building a ramp is estimated between $30-40k per stall. The land value (5.6 acres) is estimated at $22MM.
No. Early gifts have made it possible for us to purchase the building debt free. All renovations will be completed at the “speed of cash,” with potential short-term debt as needed.
As they say—location, location, location! The expansion property is located right next door to Hope Academy—so close that we share a common wall—making it ideal for school expansion.
On average, 40 new students will need partners each year. Student sponsorship and Boaz gifts to Hope’s annual fund remain our top priority. We are asking our current financial partners to make gifts to the Hope Rising Campaign over-and-above current annual support. In addition, we are inviting partners to help spread a passion for Hope Academy to family, friends, and colleagues as we trust God to provide financial partners for each new student.
Partners make it possible for low-income, urban youth to receive a remarkable education by providing 70% of the cost for one or more children to attend Hope Academy. Partners are “matched” with students and invited to meet face-to-face. Partners are also invited to two Partner Day events annually to interact with students and hear inspiring stories. Throughout the year, partners receive handwritten student thank yous, HopeBriefs emails, and other insider updates. We also encourage Partners to multiply their joy by sharing Hope with friends at a tour or annual Evening of Hope Gala.
Over 10 months, Hope Academy conducted enrollment and campaign feasibility studies and significant due diligence on the property facilities. We developed an acquisition plan and timeline, a 10–12-year operational pro-forma, and a plan to grow our organizational capacity. Moreover, we engaged a third-party “educational expansion expert,” with successful school-growth experience, to review all of our expansion plans. These efforts have all yielded very positive input and results.
We engaged a third-party enrollment expert to conduct an independent research study. The study found that there is a strong market for, and awareness of, Hope Academy in Minneapolis and nearby target cities; and that investing effort and resources in recruiting will yield results. We will hire additional recruiting staff to increase our capacity to engage more target families.
In 2006, we moved into our current 210,000 square foot building with 115 students. For several years after, we carried fixed operational costs related to a building we were not fully utilizing. That changed as our enrollment grew and as God put into place a building partnership with MN Adult and Teen Challenge. Similarly, in the early years of the expansion, we'll carry fixed operational costs associated with this new space disproportionate to our enrollment and or cooperative partnerships with other ministries.
To recruit 400-500 more students, effectively manage operations, and support long-term financial sustainability beyond the campaign, Hope Academy will integrate these capacity building resources into our ongoing operational costs. An extensive, annual budgeting process will help ensure maximum cost efficiency as we grow to serve more students and families.
Mike Brocker
CEO, Legacy Wealth
Russ Gregg
Co-Founder & Head of School, Hope Academy
Jim Stigman
Head of Institutional Advancement, Hope Academy
Karen Brown
retired consultant, Edge Brown Consulting
Paul Maynard
Partner, Deloitte
Robin Maynard
Hope Academy Board Member, Attorney, Lathrop GPM
Bruce Mooty
Attorney (retired), Gray, Plant, Mooty
Dave Senger
Attorney (retired), Moss and Barnett
Kent Vanderwood
V.P./Partner, The Timothy Group, Campaign Counsel
Jeff and Widdy Bird, co-founder
Russ and Phyllis Gregg, co-founder
Pat and Bunny Alexander
Jay and Sally Bennett
Tom and Susie Boardman
Mike and Debbie Brocker
Bill and Karen Brown
Rich and Ann Cammack
Bill and Karen Charron
Tom Coulter
Steve and Christa Dyer
Brian and Mindy Follett
Dan and Marty Gilbert
Steve and Liv Grosser
Steve and Carla Hamill
Warren Herreid II and Jeannine Rivet
Shea and Kerry Huston
Phil and Sharon Lindau
Dave and Becky Lucas
Paul and Robin Maynard
Bruce and Tracy Mooty
Dan and Lucy Olson
Tony and Christine Parr
Brad and Abbey Pieper
Bob and Judy Prentiss
Dave and Karen Senger
Brian and Mia Sullivan
Karen Tangen
Mark & Kim Thompson
John and Jill Trautz
Sid and Carol Verdoorn
Tom and Barb, Warner Family
WEM Foundation
*Full list available upon request.
There are many ways to give that can reduce taxes, allowing more to reach the charitable causes you love. Ideas include: In-kind transfers of highly appreciated investments; transferring some or all of your business or real estate to a Donor Advised Fund prior to sale; Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs) from your IRAs;Charitable Remainder Trusts; including Hope in your beneficiary designations on traditional IRA accounts; and more. Of course, you can always give via check, cash, direct deposit or credit card. Multi-year commitments can maximize impact, and one-time gifts are greatly appreciated as well! Contact our Development team with any questions or to learn more: 612-540-2016 or jimstigman@hopeschool.org
