Photo credit Lorie Shaull, via Wikimedia

The owners of Minnesota’s Vikings and Twins have contributed millions toward fighting systemic racism in response to the murder of George Floyd.

The Pohlads announced Wednesday that they would commit $25 million toward racial justice issues, through a two-phased, community-based approach.

“Black people have experienced oppression and racism for far too long in this country,” says Bill Pohlad, the president of the Pohlad Family Foundation. “We condemn racism in all its forms, and we are firmly committed to helping to enact meaningful change. We know this will take time and effort, and we are committed to this work beyond this seminal moment in our country’s history.”

In the short-term, the Pohlads will focus on providing immediate relief and rebuilding organizations in the impacted communities. They plan to encourage employee volunteerism and matching employee donations across Pohlad Companies. And they plan to work with local government, philanthropic organizations and the business community to rebuild businesses that were destroyed.

Over the long-term, the Pohlads will focus on impacting structural change through the Foundation by partnering with equally committed organizations to help change systems that create racial inequities and marginalize people of color.

“Our goal is to work in community to identify and support solutions that reflect the input of those closest to the issue and address their greatest needs,” says Susan Bass Roberts, vice president and executive director of the Pohlad Family Foundation.

The Minnesota Vikings and the Wilf family also announced a $5 million donation Thursday to social justice causes throughout the United States.

During a call with the team’s Social Justice Committee earlier this week, co-owners Zygi Wilf, chairman, and Mark Wilf, president, committed that contributions from the fund would be determined through collaboration with players and directed toward organizations fighting hate, racism and inequality.

“We continue to be inspired by these players as they advocate for transformational change in this very challenging moment,” says Mark Wilf. “We are proud of their efforts to use their platform in an effort to end deep-seated social injustices. Their thoughtful approach and our conversations with them have deeply moved us.

The donation builds on $500,000 the family had committed to the committee over the last two years. Those funds had gone toward scholarships for low-income students, school supplies, legal aid for disadvantaged and underrepresented populations and law enforcement relations.

“Our organization and the players have shown a commitment to these causes over the last several years, but we know we need to and can do more,” Zygi Wilf says, who adds that his hope is the investments, along with actions, “will be the driving force for creating profound change.”

The Vikings also announced the endowed George Floyd Legacy Scholarship, which is being created by the team’s Social Justice Committee, in Floyd’s memory. The $125,000 initial establishing gift will generate approximately $5,000 annually to benefit African American graduating seniors in the Twin Cities.