Creating Opportunities for Post-secondary Enrollment for all Youth.
Minnesota COPE Program is a 501(c)3 Non-Profit Organization, whose mission is dedicated to assist underrepresented scholars in attaining educational opportunities, key resources, and financial support necessary to attain their highest academic, personal, and professional career goals.
COPE’s purpose is to provide resources and academic scholarships to college-bound students attending public or private high schools in the Twin Cities metropolitan area, and students attending college. Our objective is to assist Scholars with programs and activities preparing them for successfully transition to post-secondary educational programs of their choice.
1. Involve community Scholars in activities which prepare them for post-secondary enrollment.
2. Coordinate and engage Scholars with volunteer community service opportunities to enhance their leadership skills. Minnesota COPE Scholars are required to complete fifty (50) hours of volunteer community service each fiscal year.
3. Raise funds annually to support scholarships, gifts, and awards for community youth who are attending high school and college.
• ACT/SAT college-preparatory classes offered by the University Of Minnesota (Twin Cities), local high schools, and
community organizations;
• Field trips, college fairs, and college tours;
• Financial-aid workshops, financial planning and/or financial literacy seminars;
• Assist with filling out college admission and financial aid application;
• Health and wellness seminars;
• Volunteer community service projects; and,
• An Annual COPE Scholarship Gala/Fundraiser to recognize Scholars’ accomplishments.
Minnesota COPE Program board members, volunteer staff supporters, constituents, students, and parents would like to acknowledge and thank Mr. and Mrs. Leonard William (Diana Miller) Makens, co-founders, for providing the seed money (grant) of $5,000.00 to start our organization. Additionally, the Makens provided a $25,000 scholarship in 2025 to continue Cope’s mission.