{ "datasetId": "minnesota-creators-community-giving-2026", "version": "1.0.0-candidate", "title": "Minnesota Creators and Community Giving", "description": "A source-backed, non-ranked dataset of documented community-support projects connected to Minnesota creators and creator teams.", "published": false, "reviewedAt": "2026-09-20", "methodology": { "minimumMinnesotaEvidence": "A precise, sourced Minnesota origin, hometown, current base, or professional base.", "minimumProjectEvidence": "A public project record from independent reporting, an official institution or nonprofit, or a public campaign platform with attributable organizer and outcome data.", "statuses": { "ANNOUNCED": "A project or goal was publicly announced, but funding or delivery was not established.", "FUNDED": "Verified money or support was raised or committed; this does not by itself establish delivery of the intended result.", "DELIVERED": "The documented goods, services, direct assistance, or activity were delivered.", "FOLLOW_UP_DOCUMENTED": "A later source documents an outcome after the initial announcement or fundraising stage." }, "fundingSourceTypes": { "audience_donations": "Money contributed through a public audience fundraiser.", "creator_owned_funds": "Money paid directly by the creator, where the source establishes that distinction.", "nonprofit_funds": "Support distributed through a nonprofit program or grant process.", "donated_goods_services": "Non-cash goods, equipment, labor, or services.", "mixed": "More than one documented source, kept disaggregated in the project note where possible." }, "limitations": [ "The dataset is selected rather than exhaustive.", "Project amounts are snapshots from the cited source and are not combined into a creator-level total.", "A funded campaign is not described as delivered without follow-up evidence.", "Inclusion is not a ranking or judgment of generosity, morality, scale, or effectiveness." ] }, "creators": [ { "creatorId": "mn-community-creator-connor-franta", "name": "Connor Franta", "publicIdentity": "Connor Franta", "entityType": "Person", "canonicalEntityId": "mn-internet-personality-connor-franta", "minnesotaRelationshipType": "raised_in_minnesota", "minnesotaRelationshipLabel": "Raised in Minnesota", "minnesotaLocation": "La Crescent", "minnesotaSourceUrl": "https://www.startribune.com/wipe-those-tears-and-meet-connor-franta-minnesota-s-youtube-superstar/301705331", "category": "YouTube, books and photography", "profileUrl": "/minnesota/profiles/connor-franta/" }, { "creatorId": "mn-community-creator-jimmy-darts", "name": "Jimmy Darts", "publicIdentity": "Jimmy Darts", "entityType": "Person", "canonicalEntityId": "mn-internet-personality-jimmy-darts", "minnesotaRelationshipType": "minnesota_hometown", "minnesotaRelationshipLabel": "Minnesota hometown", "minnesotaLocation": "Walker", "minnesotaSourceUrl": "https://www.startribune.com/minnesota-native-raises-millions-online-through-random-acts-of-kindness/601864999", "category": "Kindness-centered social video", "profileUrl": "/minnesota/profiles/jimmy-darts/" }, { "creatorId": "mn-community-creator-josh-liljenquist", "name": "Josh Liljenquist", "publicIdentity": "Joshlilj", "entityType": "Person", "canonicalEntityId": "https://joshliljenquist.com/#person", "minnesotaRelationshipType": "born_and_based_in_minnesota", "minnesotaRelationshipLabel": "Born and based in Minnesota", "minnesotaLocation": "Fairmont and Chaska", "minnesotaSourceUrl": "https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2026/04/14/st-paul-parks-ban-tiktok-star-who-gives-to-homeless-people", "category": "Community-support storytelling" }, { "creatorId": "mn-community-creator-kenny-jary", "name": "Kenny Jary", "publicIdentity": "Patriotic Kenny", "entityType": "Person", "canonicalEntityId": "mn-internet-personality-patriotic-kenny", "minnesotaRelationshipType": "current_minnesota_base", "minnesotaRelationshipLabel": "Minnesota-based", "minnesotaLocation": "Mahtomedi area", "minnesotaSourceUrl": "https://www.startribune.com/80-year-old-mahtomedi-mans-tiktok-fame-leads-to-veteran-advocacy-and-something-deeper/600162050", "category": "Veteran-centered social video" }, { "creatorId": "mn-community-creator-mikayla-raines", "name": "Mikayla Raines", "publicIdentity": "SaveAFox", "entityType": "Person", "canonicalEntityId": "mn-internet-personality-mikayla-raines", "minnesotaRelationshipType": "minnesota_base_historical", "minnesotaRelationshipLabel": "Minnesota-based during the documented work", "minnesotaLocation": "Lakeville and Faribault area", "minnesotaSourceUrl": "https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/article/fur-fox-rescue", "category": "Animal-rescue video and education" }, { "creatorId": "mn-community-creator-shane-hannah-burcaw", "name": "Shane and Hannah Burcaw", "publicIdentity": "Squirmy and Grubs", "entityType": "Organization", "canonicalEntityId": "squirmy-and-grubs", "minnesotaRelationshipType": "current_minnesota_base", "minnesotaRelationshipLabel": "Minnesota-based", "minnesotaLocation": "Minneapolis", "minnesotaSourceUrl": "https://www.mprnews.org/episode/2025/08/06/youtubers-squirmy-and-grubs-confront-misconceptions-by-sharing-stories-of-interabled-couples", "category": "YouTube and disability advocacy" }, { "creatorId": "mn-community-creator-yung-gravy", "name": "Yung Gravy", "publicIdentity": "Yung Gravy", "entityType": "Person", "canonicalEntityId": "mn-origin-person-yung-gravy", "minnesotaRelationshipType": "born_and_raised_in_minnesota", "minnesotaRelationshipLabel": "Born and raised in Minnesota", "minnesotaLocation": "Rochester", "minnesotaSourceUrl": "https://www.startribune.com/review-poppy-minnesota-rapper-yung-gravy-all-fluff-at-fair-grandstand/600301005", "category": "Internet-native music" }, { "creatorId": "mn-community-creator-zach-johnson", "name": "Zach Johnson", "publicIdentity": "Millennial Farmer", "entityType": "Person", "canonicalEntityId": "millennial-farmer", "minnesotaRelationshipType": "current_minnesota_base", "minnesotaRelationshipLabel": "Minnesota-based", "minnesotaLocation": "Lowry area", "minnesotaSourceUrl": "https://www.mprnews.org/story/2026/05/11/millennial-farmer-zach-johnsons-youtube-channel-10year-anniversary", "category": "Agriculture and farm video" } ], "projects": [ { "projectId": "mn-giving-connor-thirst-2014", "creatorId": "mn-community-creator-connor-franta", "title": "2014 Thirst Project birthday campaign", "date": "2014", "location": "Eswatini (then Swaziland)", "supportType": "nonprofit partnership", "recipientCategory": "Clean-water projects", "amountDisplay": "More than $230,000 reported", "fundingSourceType": "audience_donations", "status": "DELIVERED", "outcome": "The campaign funded clean-water well work; Thirst Project later reported Franta had helped raise more than $500,000 across his campaigns.", "sourceUrl": "https://www.thirstproject.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/EducationInfoSheet_2017-FINAL1.pdf", "sourceClass": "OFFICIAL NONPROFIT", "sourceDate": "2017", "limitations": "The source reports a later cross-campaign total; it is not used as a creator-level donation total." }, { "projectId": "mn-giving-connor-thirst-2015", "creatorId": "mn-community-creator-connor-franta", "title": "2015 Thirst Project birthday campaign", "date": "2015", "location": "Eswatini (then Swaziland)", "supportType": "nonprofit partnership", "recipientCategory": "Clean-water projects", "amountDisplay": "More than $191,000 reported", "fundingSourceType": "audience_donations", "status": "DELIVERED", "outcome": "Reporting tied the campaign to 16 water wells.", "sourceUrl": "https://www.tubefilter.com/2015/09/14/connor-franta-thirst-project-birthday-campaign/", "sourceClass": "INDEPENDENT TRADE REPORTING", "sourceDate": "2015-09-14", "limitations": "The published total is a campaign result, not Franta's personal contribution." }, { "projectId": "mn-giving-connor-charity-water-2024", "creatorId": "mn-community-creator-connor-franta", "title": "2024 charity: water marathon campaign", "date": "2024", "location": "Nyengere and one additional water project", "supportType": "audience fundraiser", "recipientCategory": "Clean-water projects", "amountDisplay": "$3,190 raised", "fundingSourceType": "audience_donations", "status": "FOLLOW_UP_DOCUMENTED", "outcome": "charity: water marks the campaign complete and the funds sent to the field, with an estimated 79 people served.", "sourceUrl": "https://www.charitywater.org/connor-franta", "sourceClass": "OFFICIAL NONPROFIT CAMPAIGN RECORD", "sourceDate": "2024-12-31", "limitations": "People served is the nonprofit's estimate." }, { "projectId": "mn-giving-jimmy-danny-2026", "creatorId": "mn-community-creator-jimmy-darts", "title": "Brain-cancer and eviction fundraiser", "date": "2026-02-18", "location": "United States", "supportType": "audience fundraiser", "recipientCategory": "Medical and housing support", "amountDisplay": "$761,920 displayed at review", "fundingSourceType": "audience_donations", "status": "FUNDED", "outcome": "The public campaign exceeded its stated $750,000 goal.", "sourceUrl": "https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-danny-and-his-family-fight-brain-cancer-and-eviction", "sourceClass": "PUBLIC CAMPAIGN RECORD", "sourceDate": "2026-02-18", "limitations": "The campaign total does not establish how every dollar was used or a long-term housing outcome." }, { "projectId": "mn-giving-jimmy-katie-2026", "creatorId": "mn-community-creator-jimmy-darts", "title": "Pediatric cancer family support", "date": "2026-08", "location": "United States", "supportType": "medical/accessibility support", "recipientCategory": "Family facing pediatric cancer", "amountDisplay": "$300,000 and a vehicle reported", "fundingSourceType": "mixed", "status": "DELIVERED", "outcome": "Local reporting documented the financial presentation and a new vehicle for the family.", "sourceUrl": "https://www.wbrz.com/videos/denham-springs-family-whose-11-year-old-is-battling-cancer-gets-300k-from-social-media-personality/", "sourceClass": "INDEPENDENT LOCAL REPORTING", "sourceDate": "2026-08", "limitations": "The report does not fully disaggregate the creator's money, audience donations, and vehicle funding." }, { "projectId": "mn-giving-jimmy-stephanie-2025", "creatorId": "mn-community-creator-jimmy-darts", "title": "Bills and rehabilitation fundraiser", "date": "2025-11-08", "location": "Nashville, Tennessee", "supportType": "audience fundraiser", "recipientCategory": "Household bills and rehabilitation", "amountDisplay": "$16,712 displayed at review", "fundingSourceType": "audience_donations", "status": "FUNDED", "outcome": "The public campaign documents funds raised toward bills and a stated rehabilitation goal.", "sourceUrl": "https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-stephanie-send-her-son-to-rehab", "sourceClass": "PUBLIC CAMPAIGN RECORD", "sourceDate": "2025-11-08", "limitations": "No later rehabilitation outcome is claimed." }, { "projectId": "mn-giving-jimmy-q-family-2026", "creatorId": "mn-community-creator-jimmy-darts", "title": "Housing and utilities fundraiser", "date": "2026", "location": "United States", "supportType": "housing support", "recipientCategory": "Family facing eviction", "amountDisplay": "$274,541 displayed at review", "fundingSourceType": "audience_donations", "status": "FUNDED", "outcome": "The public campaign records substantial funding toward housing, food, utilities and stability.", "sourceUrl": "https://www.gofundme.com/u/jimmy-darts/activity", "sourceClass": "PUBLIC CAMPAIGN PROFILE", "sourceDate": "2026-09-20", "limitations": "The profile snapshot does not establish a completed long-term housing outcome." }, { "projectId": "mn-giving-jimmy-lopez-family-2026", "creatorId": "mn-community-creator-jimmy-darts", "title": "Cancer treatment and housing fundraiser", "date": "2026", "location": "United States", "supportType": "audience fundraiser", "recipientCategory": "Medical and housing support", "amountDisplay": "$112,632 displayed at review", "fundingSourceType": "audience_donations", "status": "FUNDED", "outcome": "The public campaign exceeded its displayed $100,000 target.", "sourceUrl": "https://www.gofundme.com/u/jimmy-darts/activity", "sourceClass": "PUBLIC CAMPAIGN PROFILE", "sourceDate": "2026-09-20", "limitations": "A funded campaign is not treated as proof of a medical or housing outcome." }, { "projectId": "mn-giving-josh-egg-rolls-2024", "creatorId": "mn-community-creator-josh-liljenquist", "title": "Restaurant food purchase and distribution", "date": "2024-01", "location": "Minneapolis, Minnesota", "supportType": "food/community assistance", "recipientCategory": "People experiencing homelessness", "amountDisplay": "$500 food purchase reported", "fundingSourceType": "creator_owned_funds", "status": "DELIVERED", "outcome": "Independent reporting documented a restaurant purchase and distribution of the food.", "sourceUrl": "https://www.startribune.com/minnesota-tiktok-food-unhoused-homeless-social-media-clout-charity-altruism-facebook-instagram-viral/600336333", "sourceClass": "INDEPENDENT LOCAL REPORTING", "sourceDate": "2024-01-19", "limitations": "The report also discusses ethical questions around filmed giving; the project is not presented as evidence of long-term impact." }, { "projectId": "mn-giving-josh-firefighter-2026", "creatorId": "mn-community-creator-josh-liljenquist", "title": "Injured firefighter fundraiser", "date": "2026-05-26", "location": "St. Paul, Minnesota", "supportType": "audience fundraiser", "recipientCategory": "Injury, medical expenses and household stability", "amountDisplay": "Public fundraiser; no amount claimed from the independent report", "fundingSourceType": "audience_donations", "status": "ANNOUNCED", "outcome": "Independent reporting documents that Liljenquist started the public fundraiser.", "sourceUrl": "https://alphanews.org/minnesota-influencer-raises-money-for-injured-st-paul-firefighter-featured-in-alpha-news-report/", "sourceClass": "INDEPENDENT LOCAL REPORTING", "sourceDate": "2026-05-26", "limitations": "No completed medical, pension, or long-term financial outcome is claimed." }, { "projectId": "mn-giving-josh-steven-mills-2026", "creatorId": "mn-community-creator-josh-liljenquist", "title": "Kidney-donor search and medical fundraiser", "date": "2026-08-09", "location": "Garden City, Kansas", "supportType": "medical/accessibility support", "recipientCategory": "Medical expenses and living-donor awareness", "amountDisplay": "More than $55,000 reported", "fundingSourceType": "audience_donations", "status": "FUNDED", "outcome": "KMBC documented the fundraising and donor-search effort; no donor had been found at the report date.", "sourceUrl": "https://www.kmbc.com/article/steven-mills-kidney-donor-kansas-tiktok-josh-liljenquist/73386625", "sourceClass": "INDEPENDENT LOCAL REPORTING", "sourceDate": "2026-08-09", "limitations": "The fundraiser outcome and medical outcome are kept separate." }, { "projectId": "mn-giving-kenny-initial-scooters-2021", "creatorId": "mn-community-creator-kenny-jary", "title": "Initial veteran mobility-scooter campaign", "date": "2021", "location": "United States", "supportType": "medical/accessibility support", "recipientCategory": "Veterans needing mobility equipment", "amountDisplay": "25 scooters documented", "fundingSourceType": "audience_donations", "status": "DELIVERED", "outcome": "CBS Minnesota documented that the initial audience response enabled 25 free scooters for veterans.", "sourceUrl": "https://www.cbsnews.com/minnesota/news/tiktok-star-patriotic-kenny-veteran-scooters/", "sourceClass": "INDEPENDENT LOCAL REPORTING", "sourceDate": "2021", "limitations": "This record covers the initial campaign, not the later cumulative foundation total." }, { "projectId": "mn-giving-kenny-foundation-expansion-2023", "creatorId": "mn-community-creator-kenny-jary", "title": "Patriotic Kenny Foundation scooter expansion", "date": "2023-08-31", "location": "United States", "supportType": "nonprofit partnership", "recipientCategory": "Veterans needing mobility equipment", "amountDisplay": "66 scooters delivered at report date", "fundingSourceType": "mixed", "status": "FOLLOW_UP_DOCUMENTED", "outcome": "Stars and Stripes documented the later foundation total and that part of book-sale proceeds would support more scooters.", "sourceUrl": "https://www.stripes.com/theaters/asia_pacific/2023-08-31/patriotic-kenny-tiktok-childrens-book-11230962.html", "sourceClass": "INDEPENDENT REPORTING", "sourceDate": "2023-08-31", "limitations": "The 66-scooter figure is a dated cumulative program snapshot, not a separate 66-scooter campaign." }, { "projectId": "mn-giving-mikayla-fox-rescue-2016", "creatorId": "mn-community-creator-mikayla-raines", "title": "2016 fur-farm fox rescue campaign", "date": "2016-05-06", "location": "Minnesota", "supportType": "animal rescue", "recipientCategory": "Captive-born foxes", "amountDisplay": "Public campaign; exact total not preserved in the reviewed source", "fundingSourceType": "audience_donations", "status": "DELIVERED", "outcome": "The campaign sought support for fur-farm fox rescue; National Geographic later documented that social reach drove sponsorships and donations to SaveAFox.", "sourceUrl": "https://www.gofundme.com/22w855qz", "secondarySourceUrl": "https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/article/fur-fox-rescue", "sourceClass": "PUBLIC CAMPAIGN RECORD + INDEPENDENT REPORTING", "sourceDate": "2016-05-06", "limitations": "No precise historical campaign amount is asserted." }, { "projectId": "mn-giving-mikayla-vet-fund-2019", "creatorId": "mn-community-creator-mikayla-raines", "title": "SaveAFox veterinary-care fund", "date": "2019-04-15", "location": "Lakeville, Minnesota", "supportType": "audience fundraiser", "recipientCategory": "Veterinary care for rescued foxes", "amountDisplay": "$6,845 raised", "fundingSourceType": "audience_donations", "status": "FUNDED", "outcome": "The public campaign exceeded its $5,000 target for veterinary expenses and health upkeep.", "sourceUrl": "https://www.gofundme.com/f/1lvs9e2yxc", "sourceClass": "PUBLIC CAMPAIGN RECORD", "sourceDate": "2019-04-15", "limitations": "The campaign record supports funding, not a recipient-by-recipient veterinary outcome." }, { "projectId": "mn-giving-squirmy-tech-halls-2018", "creatorId": "mn-community-creator-shane-hannah-burcaw", "title": "Tech the Halls 2018", "date": "2018", "location": "United States", "supportType": "medical/accessibility support", "recipientCategory": "People with muscular dystrophy", "amountDisplay": "11 adaptive-technology grants documented", "fundingSourceType": "nonprofit_funds", "status": "DELIVERED", "outcome": "Laughing At My Nightmare documented 11 technology grants in the annual campaign.", "sourceUrl": "https://www.gofundme.com/f/techthehalls2018", "sourceClass": "OFFICIAL NONPROFIT CAMPAIGN RECORD", "sourceDate": "2018", "limitations": "The campaign is associated with Shane Burcaw and the nonprofit; it is not represented as a Squirmy and Grubs audience-only fundraiser." }, { "projectId": "mn-giving-squirmy-equipment-grants-2025", "creatorId": "mn-community-creator-shane-hannah-burcaw", "title": "No More Nightmares equipment grants", "date": "2025", "location": "United States", "supportType": "medical/accessibility support", "recipientCategory": "People living with muscular dystrophy", "amountDisplay": "$87,059 in grants reported for 2025", "fundingSourceType": "nonprofit_funds", "status": "FOLLOW_UP_DOCUMENTED", "outcome": "The nonprofit's filed program description reports adaptive equipment, assistive technology and financial assistance grants.", "sourceUrl": "https://philanthropy.org/990/report/454553464/laughing-at-my-nightmare-inc", "secondarySourceUrl": "https://www.laughingatmynightmare.com/no-more-nightmares-application", "sourceClass": "PUBLIC TAX-FILING DATA + OFFICIAL NONPROFIT", "sourceDate": "2025", "limitations": "This is a nonprofit program total, not a personal gift by Shane or Hannah." }, { "projectId": "mn-giving-yung-gravy-bras-2022", "creatorId": "mn-community-creator-yung-gravy", "title": "Tour bra donation to I Support the Girls", "date": "2022", "location": "United States", "supportType": "donated goods/services", "recipientCategory": "Women and people experiencing homelessness or hardship", "amountDisplay": "1,900 bras donated", "fundingSourceType": "donated_goods_services", "status": "DELIVERED", "outcome": "The nonprofit received and sorted 1,900 bras collected during the tour.", "sourceUrl": "https://www.narcity.com/yung-gravy-donated-1900-bras-helped-sort-them", "secondarySourceUrl": "https://www.icscolumbia.org/uploads/3/0/8/1/3081466/march_31.pdf", "sourceClass": "INDEPENDENT REPORTING + NONPROFIT RECORD", "sourceDate": "2022", "limitations": "The record does not include an independently verified cash-match amount, so none is claimed." }, { "projectId": "mn-giving-zach-grain-bin-2020", "creatorId": "mn-community-creator-zach-johnson", "title": "Grain-bin rescue equipment and training campaign", "date": "2020-2021", "location": "13 U.S. states", "supportType": "medical/accessibility support", "recipientCategory": "Rural fire departments and farm communities", "amountDisplay": "More than $60,000 raised; 51 departments supported", "fundingSourceType": "mixed", "status": "FOLLOW_UP_DOCUMENTED", "outcome": "The University of Minnesota program profile documented equipment and training support for 51 fire departments in 13 states.", "sourceUrl": "https://umash.umn.edu/spotlight-doing-good-minnesota-millennial-farmer-fundraises-for-farm-safety/", "sourceClass": "OFFICIAL UNIVERSITY PROGRAM PROFILE", "sourceDate": "2021-01", "limitations": "The source notes audience fundraising and partners but does not fully disaggregate every contribution." }, { "projectId": "mn-giving-zach-farm-rescue-2025", "creatorId": "mn-community-creator-zach-johnson", "title": "Farm Rescue harvest assistance", "date": "2025", "location": "Buffalo, Minnesota", "supportType": "community service", "recipientCategory": "Farm family in crisis", "amountDisplay": "Volunteer harvest of approximately 200 acres", "fundingSourceType": "donated_goods_services", "status": "DELIVERED", "outcome": "Minnesota Star Tribune reporting documented Johnson among volunteers assisting with the corn harvest.", "sourceUrl": "https://www.startribune.com/volunteers-help-with-harvest-for-a-minnesota-farm-family-in-need/601512104", "sourceClass": "INDEPENDENT LOCAL REPORTING", "sourceDate": "2025", "limitations": "Johnson participated with Farm Rescue and other volunteers; the work is not attributed to him alone." } ] }