The mission of the Ciresi Walburn Foundation for Children is to act as a catalyst for creative, innovative, and society-changing programs and policies to foster education and equitable opportunities for all of Minnesota’s children and youth.
The Ciresi Walburn Foundation focuses on eliminating the misconception that Minnesota schools provide a quality education for all children, expanding access to high-performing schools and educational organizations for students of color and low-income students, and supporting parent and family engagement. It aims to diversify Minnesota’s educator workforce, enhance cultural intelligence and skills among teachers, and increase access to science-based literacy, high-quality early childhood learning, and scalable tutoring programs. The Foundation supports K-12 schools, higher education institutions, and nonprofits aiding youth and families in Minnesota, focusing on eliminating educational inequities. It funds early learning, education policy, advocacy, teacher support programs, high-performing K–12 schools, and wrap-around services in high-needs areas, including establishing a scholarship for African-American males. Strategic investments target critical organization phases and innovative ideas, with limitations on funding predominantly technology-based project budgets. Eligibility for K-12 schools includes a commitment to standardized assessments and sharing results with the Foundation.