about dave
Dave Snyder grew up in Minneapolis, the grandson of Holocaust survivors who fled Austria in 1938.
He has spent the last 30 years as a campus living wage activist, labor organizer with the Hotel Employees and Restaurant Employees Union local 7, housing justice organizer and then deputy director of Jewish Community Action (JCA), convenor of the Minnesota Asset Building Coalition (MABC), then statewide program director for “Family Assets for Independence in Minnesota” (FAIM). Dave has served on the Board of Directors of the National Community Reinvestment Coalition (NCRC), and currently serves on the Board of Directors of Unidos MN, and as co-founder of the MN chapter of Friends Of Standing Together (FOST) - Israel/Palestine.
Dave lives in Richfield with his wife Kristy, plus two massive teens, two obnoxious puppies, and two persnickety cats.
Resume
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Excellent interpersonal and intercultural communication
Strategic campaign planning and organizational development
Strong group and inter-group facilitation
Leadership and public speaking
Capable grant writing and fundraising
Coalition building across sectors, industries, cultural and geographic boundaries
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Master of Arts: Political Science / Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD
Bachelor of Arts: Philosophy / Goucher College, Towson, MD
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Board of Directors, Unidos MN
Board of Directors, National Community Reinvestment Coalition, 2013-2018
Chair, Steering Committee, Assets & Opportunity Network, 2015-2018
Recipient, National Community Reinvestment Award, 2013
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Statewide FAIM Director
West Central MN Communities Action | October 2023-Present
Direct a $3.4m statewide Individual Development Account (IDA) program through a diverse network of 24 non-profits. Responsible for program oversight and development, leadership development of practitioners and clients involved with FAIM, legislative advocacy to ensure continued support from MN Legislature and to support broader economic justice efforts.
Deputy Director
Jewish Community Action | June 2017- July 2023
Hired, trained and supervised organizing team of 4; shared primary fundraising responsibility, and held core relationships with clergy, coalition partners and elected officials. Helped to envision and drive strategic direction for the organization and supported two successive Executive Directors.
Coordinator
Minnesota Asset Building Coalition, Minneapolis, MN | Sept. 2012- June 2017
Convened coalition by traveling 30,000+ miles across Minnesota to build relationships and engage 141 non profits fully representative of the state's cultural and geographical breadth and diversity.
Pioneered "practitioner learning circle" structure to involve front line staff in policy formation and advocacy; currently involves over 100 small| business development; vehicle loan/donation, and VITA tax prep practitioners from over 60 organizations across the state in advocacy for an ambitious state legislative agenda. Raised funds to hire a full time legislative advocate and additional funds to support coalition work.
Organizer
Jewish Community Action | July 2005- September 2012
Convened ethnic, community, religious and neighborhood organizations in North Minneapolis around a vision of resident-driven financial justice organizing as the Northside Community Reinvestment Coalition (NCRC). Designed and led a grassroots foreclosure prevention data review, outreach, referral and advocacy project. Recruited and trained leaders from Shir Tikvah, Temple Israel and Bet Shalom Synagogues to work on social, economic and racial justice campaigns.
Organizer
UNITE-HERE Local 7, Baltimore, MD | June 2001- June 2005
Organized 350 non-union food service workers at Baltimore-Washington International Airport and won union recognition and a first contract. Recruited, trained and oversaw several workers' leadership committees comprised of hospitality workers at multiple worksites. Represented 120 culinary workers at the Baltimore Convention Center in contract negotiations and filed a wage and hour violation with the City of Baltimore that won back-pay for workers while ultimately securing a contract with significant gains.
Campus and Community Volunteer Organizer
Baltimore, MD | September 1998- June 2001|
Organized Sundry Educational Services (SES) workers at over 20 Baltimore City Public Schools for a living wage campaign. Led a successful three year living wage campaign for Johns Hopkins University janitors, parking attendants and security guards with students, faculty, workers, clergy, elected officials and civil rights leaders. Organized student-labor and antisweatshop groups at several local colleges and universities, and high schools