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.
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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.
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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.
We’re not your average nonprofit.
How we operate also serves our mission:
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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.
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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.
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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:
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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 Memberzach@spark-y.org
Linkedin
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Spark-Y:
(2015) Operations Director
(2014) Systems Manager: Design / build Urban Ag Lab
(2014) Spark-Y Internship graduatesam@spark-y.org
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Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal 2025 “40 Under 40.”
Finance & Commerce 2024: Rising Young Professional.
Spark-Y:
(2018) Sustainability Educator
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Spark-Y:
(2022) Board of Directors
(2021) Development Coordinator
(2019) Program Consultant
(2016) Spark-Y Internship Graduate
makenna.s@spark-y.org
LinkedIn
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Lifelong learner, avid gardener, sustainability steward.
tracy.l@spark-y.org
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Dependable, enthusiastic educator, thorough & divergent-thinker.
andrew.r@spark-y.org
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Value-driven educator, creative problem solver, devoted plant Mom.
gabrielle.a@spark-y.org
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Diligent, compassionate, curious.
chue.y@spark-y.org
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Affable, curious-minded, environmental fanatic.
sarah.h@spark-y.org
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Creative, curious, inclusive.
madison.t@spark-y.org
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Inquisitive, lover of plants, avid cyclist.
charlie.s@sparky.org
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Easy going, nature-curious, creative collaborator.
aaron.m@spark-y.org
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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 AMARATUS:
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
