Huddle for Hope

Celebrating 45 Years of Service!

A Fundraiser Supporting Dakota County’s Only Family Shelter

Thursday, October 8, 2026

5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

CLA Connection Center at Viking Lakes

Eagan, Minnesota

Join Dakota Woodlands for Huddle for Hope, an evening of inspiration, community, and meaningful impact as we come together to support families experiencing homelessness in Dakota County.

This year’s event is especially meaningful as Dakota Woodlands celebrates 45 years of serving families in our community. As the only emergency shelter dedicated to families in Dakota County, we provide safe shelter, meals, case management, housing support, mental health support, and other essential services that help parents and children move toward stability and permanent housing.

In 2025, Dakota Woodlands served 225 individuals across 71 families, including 140 children. Huddle for Hope helps ensure that families continue to have a safe place to stay and the support needed to move forward.

Admission is free, but registration is requested.

What to Expect:

Heavy appetizers and refreshments

Time to connect with Dakota Woodlands staff and community supporters

Meaningful stories from families and staff

Community leaders and special guests

Opportunities to connect with Dakota Woodlands staff and supporters

A brief and inspiring program highlighting the impact of your support

A gift card drawing

An opportunity to learn how you can help families build a path toward stability

Schedule for the Evening:

5:30 PM:

Doors open. Check in, connect with Dakota Woodlands staff and community members, and enjoy the event space.

6:00 PM:

Enjoy food, refreshments, and community connection.

6:30 PM:

Brief and inspiring program featuring stories of hope, resilience, and impact.

7:00 PM:

Gift card drawing.

7:30 PM:

Event concludes.

Together, We Can Help Families Find a Path Home

Huddle for Hope brings together community members, businesses, volunteers, donors, and partners who believe every family deserves a safe and stable place to call home.

There is no cost to attend. Bring a friend, family member, colleague, or anyone who would like to learn more about Dakota Woodlands and how our community can support families experiencing homelessness.

Become a Huddle for Hope Sponsor

Sponsorship is a meaningful way to support Dakota Woodlands while showing your commitment to families and the community. Sponsorship funds directly support shelter operations, meals, case management, housing support, family programming, and other critical needs.

Sponsorship opportunities range from $500 to $5,000.

Why Sponsor?

Support safe shelter and essential services for families in crisis

Help parents and children move toward stability and permanent housing

Demonstrate your commitment to community leadership and compassion

Engage employees, customers, and community partners in a meaningful cause

Receive recognition before, during, and after the event

Help ensure that no family in Dakota County faces homelessness alone

Champion Sponsor: $5,000

Premier recognition on event materials, signage, and the Dakota Woodlands website

Provide matching funds for event donations up to $5,000

Verbal acknowledgment during the event program

Opportunity to share a brief message or video at the event

Recognition in the Dakota Woodlands newsletter and annual report

VIP photo opportunity with executive leadership

Your support could provide 500 meals for families.

Advocate Sponsor: $2,500

Prominent logo placement on event signage and the Dakota Woodlands website

Verbal recognition during the official program

Highlighted feature on event social media

Recognition in the Dakota Woodlands newsletter

Your support could fund new beds for a family of four.

Ally Sponsor: $1,000

Logo displayed on event signage and materials

Recognition in the event program and on the Dakota Woodlands website

Individual social media thank-you post

Recognition in the Dakota Woodlands newsletter

Your support could support a family of three in shelter for one week.

Supporter Sponsor: $500

Logo displayed on registration and check-in signage

Recognition in the event program

Group thank-you post on social media

Your support could support job readiness and parenting education.

Click To Sponsor Today!

Download the Sponsorship Packet

For sponsorship questions, contact:

Colleena Carlisle, Executive Director

763-328-4056

Colleena@dakotawoodlands.org

Together, we are creating safety, stability, and hope for families, one family at a time.

A special thank you to our current sponsors! (Coming soon)

Champion Level

Advocate Level

Ally Level

Supporter Level