SPARK EMPOWERMENT

We’re Spark-Y.
A nonprofit that operates a lot like a social enterprise to power positive change within education, workforce development, and environmental sustainability.

Nice to meet you.

  • By empowering youth through our award-winning programs, sustainable projects, hands-on education in the classroom, and pathways to meaningful employment. Youth in our programs get paid while gaining credit, employer-backed certifications, diversionary support, and more.

  • Because when we invest in our youth, sparking personal and professional advancement, we are also strengthening communities and inspiring collective care for the Earth we all share.

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We’re not your average nonprofit.

How we operate also serves our mission:

  • Yep, we’re all about that entrepreneurial spirit. It’s how we are built. While other nonprofits rely primarily on donations, we anchor in with fee-for-service and strategic partnerships - comprising as much as 75% of our annual operating budget - to drive impact and sustainability.

  • Youth empowerment extends beyond graduating from our programs into the young innovators that help to shape our organization. In fact, you can find many Spark-Y alumni as leaders in our staff or serving on our Board of Directors.

  • We have a roll-up-your-sleeves attitude at every level. Whether we're building sustainable projects or mentoring youth, we're hands-on and driven by tangible outcomes.

Meet the staff who fuel our mission:

  • Twin Cities Business Journal 2024 Community Impact Award

    Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal 2022 “40 Under 40.”

    Finance & Commerce 2020: Rising Young Professional.

    Spark-Y:
    (2013) Executive Director
    (2010) Operations Director
    (2008) Founding Board Member

    zach@spark-y.org
    Linkedin

  • Spark-Y:
    (2022) Chief Financial Officer
    (2015) Operations Director
    (2014) Systems Manager: Design / build Urban Ag Lab
    (2014) Spark-Y Internship graduate

    sam@spark-y.org

  • Twin Cities Business Magazine 2026: Notable Women in STEM.

    2025 Stevie bronze award winner: Female Social Activist of the Year and Woman of the Year - Government or Non-Profit.

    Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal 2025 “40 Under 40.”

    Finance & Commerce 2024: Rising Young Professional.

    Spark-Y:
    (2018) Sustainability Educator

  • Spark-Y:
    (2022) Board of Directors
    (2021) Development Coordinator
    (2019) Program Consultant
    (2016) Spark-Y Internship Graduate

    makenna.s@spark-y.org
    LinkedIn

  • Dependable, enthusiastic educator, thorough & divergent-thinker.

    andrew.r@spark-y.org

  • Hands-On Creator, Free Spirited, Earth Lover

    (2025) Apprentice

    russ.w@spark-y.org

  • Value-driven educator, creative problem solver, devoted plant Mom.

    gabrielle.a@spark-y.org

  • Creative, curious, inclusive.

    madison.t@spark-y.org

  • Inquisitive, lover of plants, avid cyclist.

    charlie.s@sparky.org

  • Nature enthusiast, creative type, bug enjoyer.

    (2025) Senior Apprentice
    (2024) Apprentice

    emma.s@spark-y.org

FOUNDING BOARD MEMBERS:

Tammie Follett
Mary Helen McHugh Franze
Emma Robinson
Zach Robinson
Kris Sibik

FOUNDER:

Mary Helen McHugh Franze

BOARD CHAIR EMERITUS:

Tammie Follett (2009-2016)
Terri Joski-Lang (2017-2018)
Jeannine Peterson (2019)
Steve Schumacher (2020-2021)

BOARD OF ADVISORS:

Tammie Follett
Hal Tearse
Steve Schumacher
Jon and Julie Danskin
David Washburn

Board of Directors