September 28, 2016
Kano Computing Partnership
Mind Foundry becomes the first potential Academy backer for Kano Computing, ordering 20 computer kits and 20 screen kits for future programs.
Source: Email from Joanna Bersin, Kano2016 – 2022
Seven Years
A chronological record of building, operating, and ending an organization.
24,287 Emails
2,207 Students
103 Contributors
17 Locations
Email Volume by Year
2020 was the peak year with 5,313 emails—COVID pivot required more coordination, not less. 2022 shows the abrupt end after the January 20 raid.
2016
Foundation
Mind Foundry Learning, Inc. is formed
295 emailsDecember 26, 2016
Mind Foundry Learning, Inc. Incorporated
The organization is officially incorporated as a Minnesota nonprofit corporation.
2017
Launch
First programs launch at St. Paul City School
3,981 emailsJanuary 16, 2017
Mimi Ito Introduction
Mimi Ito, MacArthur Chair in Digital Media and Learning at UC Irvine, introduces Mind Foundry to Katie Salen and Connected Camps.
Source: Email from Mimi ItoJanuary 19, 2017
Headwaters Foundation Grant Application
Mind Foundry begins pursuing legitimate foundation funding through Khyre Solutions.
January 24, 2017
Connected Camps Partnership Begins
Katie Salen connects Mind Foundry with Greg Livingston to develop Minecraft-based curriculum. Game design identified as natural fit.
Source: Email from Katie SalenJanuary 25, 2017
St. Paul Promise Neighborhood Support
Muneer Karcher-Ramos (Wilder Foundation) and Justin Tiarks (St. Paul City School) coordinate computer resources for Mind Foundry's first program.
Source: Email chain with Muneer Karcher-RamosFebruary-March 2017
First Programs Launch
Mind Foundry begins delivering afterschool STEM programming at St. Paul City School.
March 24, 2017
Makerspace Financial Planning
Financial consultant Nicolas LC shares business model for Makerspace development.
July 24, 2017
JAMF Device Management Setup
Enterprise-grade Apple device management software configured for Mind Foundry's fleet of educational technology.
Source: Email from Kat Garbis, JAMFAugust 30, 2017
Super Bowl LII Partnership Begins
Julia Davis from the Minnesota Super Bowl Host Committee invites Mind Foundry to preview the Super Snack Challenge.
Source: Email from Julia Davis, MN Super Bowl Host CommitteeSeptember 8, 2017
Super Bowl Logo Shared
Super Bowl Host Committee shares official logo for Mind Foundry event invitations.
September 27, 2017
Connected Learning Alliance Feature
Mimi Ito publishes '5 Secrets to Creating an Innovative After-school Program' featuring the Mind Foundry partnership.
Source: Connected Learning Alliance blog 2018
Growth
Legislative testimony, MPS contract, expansion
3,504 emailsJanuary 12, 2018
Project Atlantis Curriculum Development
Staff document detailed weekly curriculum including volcano building, city planning, and Connected Camps integration.
Source: Emails from Jabulani Mhlanga, Mohamed YousifFebruary 4, 2018
Super Bowl LII
Super Bowl LII held in Minneapolis. Mind Foundry had partnered with the Host Committee on youth healthy eating programming.
February 5, 2018
MPS Contract Announcement
Mahad Ibrahim announces to Mimi Ito and Katie Salen that Mind Foundry has been selected as a community programming provider to Minneapolis Public Schools with a cap of 7,000 students per year.
Source: Email to Mimi Ito, Katie SalenFebruary 6, 2018
Mimi Ito Congratulations
Mimi Ito responds: 'Congratulations Mahad! What great news... We love working with you all.'
Source: Email from Mimi ItoMarch 27, 2018
Minnesota House Education Finance Committee Testimony
Mahad Ibrahim testifies before the state legislature on HF 3879. Committee Chair says 'I'm just so impressed with this program.' Representatives discuss scaling statewide.
Source: Legislative transcript, HF 3879July 3, 2018
City of Minneapolis Site Visits
Mind Foundry coordinates site visits with City of Minneapolis officials at Heritage Academy and Augsburg College summer programs.
Source: Email from Bekam MerdassaJuly 20, 2018
Parent Communications
Parents email about Camp Intelligent Cities registration, Wings Academy attendance, and program withdrawals. Evidence of real families engaging with real programs.
August 14, 2018
City of Minneapolis Final Report
Formal accountability report submitted to City of Minneapolis officials for summer programming.
Source: Email to Markeeta Keyes, Kenneth SmithDecember 2018
Film Camp Completion
6-session filmmaking camp concludes with 11 named students, pre/post assessments, and two completed documentaries.
Source: Film Camp Final Report 2019
Expansion
Cedar-Riverside, Storytelling Studio, cultural programming
3,770 emailsJanuary 5, 2019
The Cedar Cultural Partnership
David Hamilton confirms teacher Harbi to lead cultural programming 4 days/week.
Source: Email from David Hamilton, The CedarJanuary 6, 2019
East African Cultural Programming
New programming launched through partnership serving East African community at Perfect Balance Child Care.
February 13, 2019
Cedar-Riverside Program Launch
Enrollment forms and parent manual distributed. March 4th launch date confirmed for STEAM Adventure After Care.
Source: Email to Bert Strassburg, Cedar-Riverside Community SchoolFebruary 27, 2019
African Development Center Partnership
Storytelling Studio payments coordinated with Nasibu Sareva, Executive Director of ADC.
Source: Email from Nasibu Sareva, ADCMarch 5, 2019
Storytelling Studio Gameplan
Staff develop detailed planning documents for the Storytelling Studio program.
Source: Google Docs share from Zak AbukarMarch 15, 2019
Cedar-Riverside Parent Letter
Direct parent communication about STEAM Adventure After Care program goals and appreciation.
Source: Email from Mahad Ibrahim 2020
COVID Pivot
Digital transformation, peak hiring, continued operations
5,313 emailsJanuary 6, 2020
MPS CLP Accountability
Marie Louiselle (MPS) reviews Community Learning Program forms, requests parent signatures and pre-test scores.
Source: Email from Marie Louiselle, MPSJanuary 20, 2020
Mystery Science Curriculum Sharing
Staff share Mystery Science curriculum resources internally.
January 28, 2020
ByteSpeed E-Sports Partnership
Anna Hanson schedules meeting with ByteSpeed's Esports Solutions Director.
Source: Email from Anna Hanson, ByteSpeedMarch 23, 2020
COVID Digital Pivot
Michael Waas contacts Jump Math about shifting to digital learning as schools close.
Source: Email to Mary Sadleir, Jump MathApril 30, 2020
Remote Work Structure
Morning work sessions established (7:15am-8am) for team coordination during pandemic.
May 13, 2020
Apple Business Technology Order
Apple Business Team reaches out about MacBook Pro purchases for organizational use.
Source: Email from Apple Business TeamJune 2020
Peak Hiring Activity
765 emails in June - highest monthly volume. E-Sports Coach summer internship applications, interviews, and onboarding.
June 23, 2020
E-Sports Coach Hiring
Applications received through BreezyHR for E-Sports Coach summer internship. Burhan Ali conducts interviews.
Source: BreezyHR notificationsNovember 2020
Create-a-Hero Program
8-session comic book creation program at Gateway Academy aligned to Minnesota state standards.
Source: Create-a-Hero Program ReportNovember 13, 2020
MPS CBO Assessment Request
Marie Louiselle asks all CBO partners (AcEs4Kids, PCYC, WE WIN, Mind Foundry, etc.) to share distance learning assessment methods.
Source: Email from Marie Louiselle, MPS 2021
Peak Scale
400+ students, multiple sites, full operations
5,120 emailsJanuary 24, 2021
Payroll Operations
Gusto confirms payroll processing: $755.03 total ($600.60 net pay, $154.43 taxes).
Source: Gusto payroll confirmationThroughout 2021
Multi-Site Operations
Programming delivered across 17 locations including Gateway STEM, Cedar-Riverside, St. Paul City School, and multiple childcare centers.
2022
The End
Operations continue until January 20
1,759 emailsJanuary 12, 2022
Normal Business Operations
Mahad Ibrahim sends updated invoice to Success Academy MN including settlement amount.
Source: Email to Ahmed HudleJanuary 20, 2022
FBI Raid
Federal agents raid Mind Foundry offices. Operations cease immediately.
January 28, 2022
Administrative Aftermath
Board resignation coordination. Eight days after the raid.
Source: Email to Edward FellowsSeptember 26, 2022
MPS Awards New Contract
Eight months after the FBI raid, Minneapolis Public Schools awards Mind Foundry a new Community Based Learning contract.
Source: Award letter from Nevonia Rainwater, MPSThe Story in the Data
2016
Startup year—295 emails. Organization formed in December. First curriculum investments (Kano).
2017
First full year—3,981 emails. Programs launch Feb-Mar. Summer programs Aug-Sep. Connected Learning alliance formed.
2018
Growth year—3,504 emails. Legislative testimony. MPS contract. Super Bowl partnership. City of Minneapolis funding.
2019
Expansion year—3,770 emails. Cedar-Riverside launch. Storytelling Studio. Cultural programming partnerships.
2020
COVID pivot—5,313 emails (HIGHEST). June spike (765) = hiring during pandemic. Digital transformation, not shutdown.
2021
Peak scale—5,120 emails. 400+ students. Multiple sites. Full operations. The organization at its largest.
2022
The end—1,759 emails. January active (362), then FBI raid Jan 20. Sharp decline. But MPS awards contract in September.
Shell companies don't generate seven years of increasing email volume.
Shell companies don't pivot to digital during COVID.
Shell companies don't get awarded contracts after FBI raids.