Build Wealth MN marked its 20th anniversary with a gala in Minneapolis that celebrated its profound impact on Minnesota communities. The event, attended by notable figures including Mayor Jacob Frey and Senate President Bobby Joe Champion, highlighted the nonprofit’s achievements in fostering financial stability, homeownership, and generational wealth for underserved families. Keynote speaker Andrea Levere praised Build Wealth MN’s role in addressing systemic economic inequities. “They are dismantling barriers to wealth creation while empowering communities,” Levere said. Performances by Jovonta Patton and The Steeles energized attendees, and a special message from Governor Tim Walz underscored the organization’s importance in tackling the state’s wealth gap.
Since its founding in 2004 by David McGee, Build Wealth MN has quietly yet powerfully reshaped lives across Minnesota. Its programs have served over 20,000 individuals and impacted more than 7,000 families, providing them with tools for financial stability and generational wealth. Key achievements include facilitating $1.25 billion in lending services, deploying $15 million in down payment assistance, and helping over 5,000 families become homeowners. Participants in programs like the Family Stabilization Plan have reported significant credit score improvements, leading to greater financial independence. “These numbers are the result of people overcoming barriers and stepping into new possibilities,” McGee explained. “They represent lives changed and futures secured.”
Youth-focused initiatives like the Youth Stabilization Program have also made a profound impact, equipping young people with financial literacy and career readiness skills. “We’re teaching young people to think differently about their futures,” said Demetri McGee, Youth Director. “It’s about creating a mindset of empowerment.”
One of the gala’s major highlights was the announcement of Build Wealth MN’s ambitious 9000 Equities Initiative. This program seeks to address Minnesota’s stark racial homeownership gap by helping 9,000 Black families become homeowners within seven years. This effort directly targets the 52% disparity in homeownership rates between African American and White households in the state. “Homeownership isn’t just about buying a house but it’s also about creating stability, equity, and generational wealth,” McGee said. The program combines financial education, affordable lending options, and strategic partnerships to help families achieve this transformative goal. “This initiative is a promise to our community that we’re not stopping until the gap closes,” McGee emphasized.
While the gala celebrated the past, it also served as a platform for reflection and renewed purpose. Attendees heard powerful testimonials from program participants who had overcome financial hardships. One participant described their journey from financial distress to homeownership, saying, “They gave me hope and a roadmap to a better life.” The evening’s lively atmosphere was complemented by soulful performances from Jovonta Patton and The Steeles, and an exciting auction featuring unique experiences like a romantic retreat on Lake Superior and an all-inclusive Caribbean getaway. “It was a night to remember, filled with gratitude and resolve,” McGee shared.
Collaboration has been central to Build Wealth MN’s success. The organization has partnered with banks, developers, and local governments to provide underserved families with the resources they need to succeed. Its recent acquisition of over 100 acres in Rochester, Minnesota, highlights its growing role in housing development. “Affordable, quality housing is key to thriving communities,” McGee emphasized. “We’re committed to creating spaces where families can grow and prosper.”
As the evening drew to a close, McGee addressed the room with a clear message: Build Wealth MN’s work is far from done. “The wealth gap isn’t just a statistic- it’s a challenge that we must meet with action,” he said. “Together, we’re creating a future where every family has the opportunity to succeed.”
For the thousands of families whose lives have already been transformed, Build Wealth MN is more than a nonprofit; it’s a movement. As it enters its third decade, the organization stands as a testament to the power of community and shared purpose, showing what’s possible when individuals, organizations, and families come together to create lasting change.
To view pictures from the gala and learn more about Build Wealth MN’s programs and initiatives, visit their event gallery or explore their official website.
