Macalester College
EN-13: Community Stakeholder Engagement

The High Winds Fund was established in 1956 through an initial gift to Macalester College from DeWitt Wallace to prevent the problems of urban blight he had seen in other college and university neighborhoods. Our mission is to maintain and improve the beauty, serenity, and security of the area surrounding the campus of Macalester College. Macalester College is a unique institution – a nationally respected liberal arts college in the heart of a thriving urban environment. The High Winds Fund helps to support and improve that critical environment for the benefit of Macalester’s students, faculty, staff, and neighbors. These goals are accomplished by two staff members who are directed by Trustees different than those that govern the college. A list of current staff and Trustees are available at: http://www.macalester.edu/highwinds/staff/

The High Winds Fund works with the local neighborhood council and other organizations to make the Macalester-Groveland a more vibrant place to live. It accomplishes this by working with local government to influence infrastructure; create sustainable, diverse, healthy, livable neighborhoods; and positively influence educational and youth programs in the area.

KidsPark Groveland Elementary School Association Ramsey Junior High School Macalester-Plymouth Preschool Jean Lyle Children’s Center Friends School of Minnesota Four Seasons A+ Elementary School Randolph Heights Elementary School Neighborhood Energy Connection Eureka Recycling Hour Car Nice Ride Macalester College Sustainability Office Macalester Groveland Community Council Environment Committee Saint Paul Smart Trips Transit for Livable Communities Grand Avenue Business Association Grand Snelling Business Association Grand Old Day City of Saint Paul, Department of Public Works University United Public Art Saint Paul Macalester Groveland Community Council Merriam Park Living At Home / Block Nurse The Family Tree Clinic Macalester Summit Hill Living-at-Home Highland Friendship Club Minnesota 2020

In 2011, the High Winds Fund brought the metro area's bike share program, Nice Ride, to campus. Throughout 2012, the High Winds Fund worked with local business owners to bring over $850,000 in renovations to underutilized spaces adjacent to campus so that two small business could open. In 2014, the High Winds Fund added signage and flags for pedestrian crosswalks to ensure safety of community members.