Support our new Afghan Community members

We are excited to announce that we are officially a 501c3 and have received grant funding to support our new Afghan community members!

The mission of the Afghan Cultural Society of MN (ACS) is to advocate for and empower our communities through a range of services, including assisting them in improving their mental and social health, promoting economic self-sufficiency, and creating a space for cultural wellbeing. Across the Twin Cities, ACS supports Afghan community members achieve resilience and self-sufficiency through cultural and linguistic-specific services.

ACS was founded in 2018 as a volunteer self-help assistance organization to build community and preserve the Afghan culture. During the fall of Afghanistan to the Taliban in August 2021, ACS expanded activities to include mental health and case management direct services. This was an important pivot to adequately support the changing needs of the local community. The funds received support navigating basic needs (housing, employment, driving, food access, cultural navigation, etc.), education mentorship for all ages, and mental health support groups. We are a unique organization where we see the value in all the staff, regardless of role, and pay the same salary to all.

Since August 2021, we have asked to accept donations and we have referred folks to donate to our partner, Zacah, who was able to raise enough funds to cover 2 months of rent for all of our new families. It was a wonderful use of donations.

At this time we are in a bind. The state grants we have received are managed in a way where you must spend the money and then invoice the grantor to be repaid. Two of our directors loaned closed to $25,000 to the organization to get things started. These same two directors are currently only being paid 25% of their wages and working on a mostly volunteer basis because we do not have the funds.

We are trying to raise funds to pay back their loans. Please donate if you can. Even $25 is helpful to get us to our goal.

Tashakur/Manana/Thank you

Afghan Cultural Society of MN