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Mind Foundry Archive

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Emails: Search by sender, subject, or content Documents: Curriculum, reports, contracts People: Teachers, staff, contributors Sites: Schools and program locations

The Full Story

Mind Foundry was a STEM education organization founded in 2016. For seven years, it built curriculum, hired educators, partnered with schools, and taught thousands of children to code. The sponsors who controlled the federal meal program submitted fraudulent claims using Mind Foundry's name. Mind Foundry had no role in that process.

The characterization of Mind Foundry as a shell company β€” an organization that existed only on paper β€” is contradicted by every piece of evidence in this archive. The characterization that Mind Foundry "claimed" to serve thousands of meals is contradicted by the government's own witness, who testified that only sponsors submit claims.

The work was real. The people were real. The students were real. That is what this archive documents.

Documentary Archive

What we built
2016–2022

Mind Foundry Learning was a nonprofit STEM education organization serving K-8 students through afterschool programs, summer camps, and online learning in Minneapolis and St. Paul.

This archive documents the work of 103 people over seven years.

Explore the Archive View Timeline
The evidence
2,207 Students Served
293,644 Programming Hours
103 Staff & Educators
7 Years of Operations
24,287 emails 2,210 code commits 17 locations 182+ design screens

Voices from the work

Principals, teachers, parents, and partners

"The results have been simply amazing. Mind Foundry is innovative, engaging, and inspiring. Put simply – it's good for kids."

Justin Tiarks Principal, St. Paul City School

"This after-school enrichment program truly was enriching for our school. It would feel like a great loss if the program were to be discontinued."

Catherine Neuner 4-5 EL Teacher, St. Paul City School

"I think you're doing amazing things. I would love to take some of these classes."

Committee Chair Minnesota House Education Finance Committee, State Legislature

"We ended up working with Mind Foundry as well, and they were actually one of the best partners to work with."

Gregory Livingston Curriculum Director, Connected Camps

"My daughter has been more focused on tasks, even at home. The additional education that Mind Foundry provides has truly helped her."

Ger Vang Parent

"My son learned how to be more creative. I would love for him to continue taking more Mind Foundry classes."

Patsy Rodriguez Parent

The Archive

Documentary evidence from seven years of operations

Emails

24,287 Seven years of correspondence

Documents

220+ Grants, contracts, curriculum

Media

675+ Photos and videos

Platform

2,210 Code commits

People

103 Contributors

Sites

17 Locations

Seven years

The arc of an organization

2016
Founded Curriculum development
2017
Launch First school programs
2018
Growth MPS contract
2019
Expansion New sites & programs
2020
Pivot COVID adaptation
2021
Peak 17 locations
2022
End Raid β†’ MPS re-awards
View Full Timeline

External recognition

What others documented about Mind Foundry

Minneapolis Public Schools
Community Based Learning Contract
Award Letter β€” September 26, 2022
Eight months after the FBI raid
View Document β†’
Minnesota House of Representatives
Education Finance Committee Testimony
Hearing β€” March 27, 2018
"I think you're doing amazing things"
View Transcript β†’
Connected Learning Alliance
MacArthur Foundation Network
Partnership β€” 2017–2021
Featured in "5 Secrets to Innovative After-school"
View Correspondence β†’

What this archive contains

  • 2,207 students served
  • 293,644 programming hours
  • 103 staff and educators
  • 24,287 emails
  • 2,210 code commits
  • 17 physical locations
  • 7 years of documentation
The prosecution called this
"a shell company to receive and spend money that was fraudulent"
β€” Assistant U.S. Attorney, Opening Statement, April 29, 2024

This archive contains what a shell company would not have.

Explore the Evidence

The documentation the government never subpoenaed.
The work they never sought to understand.

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