FATHER Project Expands Reach With New $1.5 Million State Grant

In a major show of support for family-focused programming, the Minnesota Legislature has awarded $1.5 million in funding over the next two years to Goodwill-Easter Seals Minnesota’s (GESMN) FATHER Project. The funding, included in the state’s final budget bill, renews and expands the investment made in 2023, enabling the program to serve communities across the Twin Cities metro, St. Cloud, and Rochester.

Senator Mark Koran (North Branch), who has co-authored the legislation since 2017, praised the initiative for its long-standing impact on families and communities. “The FATHER Project supports men and their reintegration with their children and supports them in every facet of their role,” Koran said during the bill’s Senate hearing. “They get mentorship and then become mentors themselves and leaders not only in the organization but in their families and communities.”

The FATHER Project, which stands for Fostering Actions To Help Earnings and Responsibility, helps fathers overcome barriers that may prevent them from being present and supportive—both economically and emotionally—for their children. Services offered include job search support, career development, professional case management, parenting support groups, child support navigation, and family activities designed to build stronger relationships.

Founded by the City of Minneapolis in 1999 and adopted by Goodwill-Easter Seals Minnesota in 2004, the FATHER Project has since grown into a statewide resource through partnerships and community outreach. The program’s mission is simple yet vital: to help fathers be the best they can be for their children and communities.

Evaluation outcomes have demonstrated the FATHER Project’s effectiveness. Participants report improved parenting skills, educational attainment, and successful job placement. The Wilder Foundation’s Return on Investment study found that for every dollar invested in the program, $3.41 is returned to the community through increased wages, employment, and child support contributions.

Each year, Goodwill-Easter Seals Minnesota helps over 5,500 people gain access to employment, training, and resources through its network of community-based programs. Since its founding in 1919, the nonprofit has focused on eliminating barriers to work and independence for Minnesotans, reinvesting proceeds from thrift stores, e-commerce, grants, and donations into its mission.

The FATHER Project maintains locations in Minneapolis, St. Paul, and St. Cloud, and continues to serve fathers through a robust calendar of activities and support events. Among them is a monthly discussion series, Creating a Culture of Healthy Men, held at the Sabathani Community Center in Minneapolis. The event, hosted in partnership with Honorable MENtion, Hennepin County, the University of Minnesota Extension, and others, offers a space for men to explore holistic health, food, and the power of showing up as their best selves.

The recent $1.5 million funding will ensure the continuation of these life-changing programs and help expand services to reach even more fathers across the state. As Senator Koran emphasized, the FATHER Project not only transforms lives—it builds stronger families, more stable communities, and a more hopeful future for children across Minnesota.