It's Time to Talk Sponsorship

We invite you to invest your time and resources to work together with us to eliminate racism. Become a Sponsor of the It's Time to Talk Forums on Race luncheon, an annual event of the YWCA of Minneapolis.

Eliminating racism is a core value of the YWCA of Minneapolis, which puts its mission into action through policy development, programming and outreach. Now more than ever our community must continue courageous conversations on race and racism. In order for each person and our schools, workplaces and communities to become the best they can become, all of us need to invest in this critical conversation.

Last year, over 1,100 racially diverse civic leaders - from business, education, government, the arts, faith communities and community service - came together to talk about racism and commit to action.

Event sponsorship connects your organization to the YWCA's powerful Racial Justice legacy and programs.

What others are saying about It's Time to Talk: Forums on Race:

What motivated General Mills to support all six years of It's Time to Talk: Forums on Race? "Diversity is an important value at General Mills. We believe that a diverse workplace enhances innovation which in turn moves our organization forward. We are also committed to improve the community in which we live and work. Given these values, it seemed quite natural to support the YWCA in its launch and continued focus on It's Time to Talk.
Ellen Goldberg Luger, Executive Director - General Mills Foundation

The ITT Circle Dialogues on Race provide a setting where we can explore our attitudes about race with others who are - or want to become - committed to fairness and justice. I believe our challenge in the future is to continue to provide the dialogue participants with penetrating questions that will deepen our exploration of race and culture so that we can reach our goal of eliminating individual and institutional racism.
Velma Korbel, Commissioner - Minnesota Department of Humans Rights

We know we can do more, and in fact, we are doing more because of what happens here at these dialogues today. The health care system needs to change too. It's not all about data and research and facts, and changing the care process. It's about changing hearts and minds and beliefs.
Mary Brainerd, President and CEO - HealthPartners

I believe in human affairs we will always return to dialogue as a prerequisite for peace making and social justice. Dialogue is action. As such, it's important for everyone to learn how to have difficult face-to-face dialogues. Thankfully, the YWCA helps everyone to begin this process. While some may be anxious to go deeper as quickly as possible in the YWCA's sponsored dialogues, persistence in expanding the basic opportunity to repeatedly practice meaningful dialogues with 'strangers' is essential to peaceful social change.
Tommy Lee Woon, Dean of Multicultural Life - Macalester University

Sponsorship Levels

Human Rights Sponsor - $25,000
$22,050 estimated minimum tax deductible contribution

Unity Sponsor - $10,000
$8,525 estimated minimum tax deductible contribution

Outreach Sponsor - $5,000
$3,525 estimated minimum tax deductible contribution

Keynote Sponsor - $2,500
$1,025 estimated minimum tax deductible contribution

Hosted Table - $1,000
This sponsorship level has no tax deductible value

To receive a Sponsorship packet please contact Julianne Bye at or 612-215-4166.