MN350

Background

MN350 is a left-of-center climate-issue advocacy group; it has a sister advocacy and social welfare nonprofit called MN350 Action. It is a state chapter of a national climate issue advocacy group called 350.org. The term “350” derives from “350 ppm,” which refers to the claim that 350 parts per million is a “‘safe’ level of carbon dioxide” in the atmosphere.  ^{1  2}

The group is concerned with rising sea levels, loss of farmland, an increase in mosquito-borne diseases, and the potential for extreme weather events. The group is seeks to end the use of fuel energy resources to limit climate change.  ^{1  3}

The group claims that part of its mission is “building a powerful mass movement to end systems of oppression and realize our vision of climate justice.”  ⁴

MN350 is a member of the Clean Heat Coalition, which it describes as “a multi-racial, statewide coalition of partners” that advocates for “Clean, Midwest-made energy.”  ⁵

Actions

MN350’s advocacy includes “Transit Justice.” According to the group, it is working to increase access to public transportation for “Black, Indigenous, and working-class people, who have historically been underserved by public transit.” The group promotes the critical race theory-influenced concept of equity, stating its goal is to make public transportation “equitable, affordable, and environmentally responsible.”  ⁶

MN350 operates the Frontline Fund, which provides “grants to support and connect leaders within BIPOC communities,” as well as offering emergency grants for those “impacted by climate justice.”  ⁷

Funding

In 2024, MN350 reported $718,496 in total revenues, $1,151,365 in total expenses, and $600,802 in total assets.  ⁸

Two entities in the Arabella Advisors (later Sunflower Services) network gave to MN350. The New Venture Fund gave MN350 $110,000 in 2023, $330,000 in 2022, $50,000 in 2021, $350,000 in 2020, $150,000 in 2019, and $120,000 in 2018.  ⁹ In 2024, the Windward Fund gave $50,000 to MN350.  ¹⁰

In 2024, the Climate and Clean Energy Equity Fund gave $326,000 to MN350.  ¹¹

In 2024, the Alliance for Metropolitan Stability gave $20,000 to MN350.  ¹²

The Center for Climate Integrity gave $10,000 in 2023, $58,750 in 2022, and $25,000 in 2021 to MN350.  ¹³

In 2022, the Tides Foundation gave $100,000 to MN350.  ¹⁴

In 2021, Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors gave $65,000 to MN350.  ¹⁵

In 2021, the Rockefeller Family Fund gave $50,000 to MN350.  ¹⁶

In 2021, the Climate Emergency Fund gave $25,000 to MN350.  ¹⁷

In 2019, Greenpeace gave $10,000 to MN350.  ¹⁸

People

Theresa McClenty is the executive director of MN350 and MN350 Action, where her work has included facilitating “partnerships and initiatives related to diversity, equity, and inclusion,” according to her MN350 biography. Previously, McClenty was an outreach and health initiatives manager for the NorthPoint Health and Wellness Center, a consulting project manager for the Non-Profit Human Services Agency, the executive director of the Minnesota School Employees Association, a facilitator and advisory council for Labor Education Services, and an executive vice president for the Service Employees International Union (SEIU). McClenty’s volunteer work has included being a director for Congressional District 2 for the Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party, a member of the board for the Nellie Stone Johnson Foundation, a labor chair for the Minneapolis Branch of the NACCP, a committee member for the Minneapolis Climate Legacy Roundtable, and a diversity and inclusion officer for Minnesota Senate District 52.  ^{19  20}