1954
A group of Lutheran seminary students formed "Kinsmen" to establish supportive one-on-one relationships with troubled young men living in Minneapolis and St. Paul. The program began through the Plymouth Youth Center.
1962
Kinsmen became formalized by hiring a full-time program director. It expanded to include girls and women, adding a new focus on helping children ages 5-15.
1967
Kinship became a national program with the support of the American Lutheran Church. Individual units were established throughout Minnesota and several other states.
1988
Kinship of Greater Minneapolis was established as a separate, nonprofit organization servicing much of Minneapolis proper and the neighboring suburbs.
1992
Kinship of Greater Minneapolis was recognized by the White House as the nation's 917th point of light. TRUST Church Group's Kinship affiliate, serving south Minneapolis, merged into Kinship of Greater Minneapolis.
1999
The Kinship Fund for Children was established at the Minneapolis Foundation to provide for program stability and growth. Kinship of Greater Minneapolis grew to 5 full-time staff, 6 part-time staff and 220 volunteer/child relationships.
2000
Kinship of Greater Minneapolis maintained 250 active volunteer/child relationships, supported by 10 full and part-time staff members. A South Satellite office location was added to expand Kinship's outreach.
2002
An Anoka County Satellite office was established to service the region which had been supported the past 25 years by Northwest Suburban Kinship.
2003
Kinship of Greater Minneapolis served over 1,000 children in long-term mentoring relationships since established as a separate nonprofit in 1988.
2004
Kinship celebrated its 50th year of mentoring children. Kinship of Greater Minneapolis received federal grant money to mentor children of incarcerated parents and children of immigrants and refugees.