Community Grants

Community Grants are awarded throughout Minnesota from the unrestricted funds of The Minneapolis Foundation and its funding partners. Community Grants support efforts to improve policies and practices affecting disadvantaged Minnesotans -- rather than targeting individual circumstances -- in order to have the greatest possible impact. In general, direct service activities are not funded through the Community Grantmaking process.
 
The Minneapolis Foundation Board of Trustees is currently developing a strategic plan that will set a course for our efforts over the next three years (2009 -2012) and beyond.  As a part of this effort, we also are reviewing and revising our grant guidelines, which will be issued in 2009. Once the guidelines are completed we will hold information meetings to provide the nonprofit community with an opportunity to learn about our strategic direction and grantmaking.
 
Note that grant applications under our current guidelines will be accepted until April 1, 2009, and will be reviewed for consideration in July 2009. Meanwhile, if you have questions, please contact us at (612) 672-3878 or grants@mplsfoundation.org or call your Community Philanthropy Officer.
 
Eligible Activities
  
Eligible activities may include public policy advocacy, public awareness, community organizing, interagency collaboration, or governmental system reform. Eligible activities address the root causes of social issues and have long-term impact in the Twin Cities metropolitan area, Greater Minnesota, or statewide. Eligible organizations include 501(c)(3) nonprofits, public institutions, and emerging groups organized for nonprofit purposes.

Requests for funding through the Community Grantmaking process should clearly demonstrate how the organization or program will accomplish long-term change in one of the grantmaking areas:

Organizations seeking funding through this source should consider the fit between their mission and activities and the Foundation's guidelines.  

 
Types of Support
  • Single or Multiple year
  • Project/Program or Operating support
  • Capital support (for organizations in the metropolitan area)
 
We Do NOT Fund

  • individuals
  • organizations or activities outside the state of Minnesota
  • conference registration fees
  • memberships
  • direct religious activities
  • political organizations or candidates
  • direct fundraising efforts
  • telephone solicitations
  • courtesy advertising
  • financial deficits
 
How to Apply for a Community Grant
Please use the Minnesota Common Grant Cover Sheet, Application, and Checklist for Community Grantmaking requests. Please do not submit any materials not found on the application checklist.

Send 2 copies to:

Community Grantmaking
The Minneapolis Foundation
800 IDS Center
80 South Eighth Street
Minneapolis, MN  55402
 
Guidelines

Requests for funding through the Community Grantmaking process should clearly demonstrate how the organization or program will accomplish long-term change in one of the grantmaking areas:

    • Affordable Housing,
    • Economic Opportunities,
    • Educational Achievement, and
    • the Health and Well-being of Children, Youth, and Families.

Preference is given to requests for funding that use one or more of the following approaches with clear and measurable results:

    • improves the quality of life for the most disadvantaged Minnesotans
    • focuses on equity and social justice
    • addresses the structural causes behind key issues
    • leads to long-term, sustainable solutions
    • builds on community strengths, including cultural, racial, and ethnic diversity
    • pursues policy change to solve critical needs or increase opportunities
    • involves key constituencies in program creation and implementation
    • has clear and measurable program results
    • eliminates gaps and redundancies in services and systems
    • increases system responsiveness, efficiency, and capacity to serve constituents
 
Timing & Application Process
Note that grant applications under our current guidelines will be accepted until April 1, 2009, and will be reviewed for consideration in July 2009.  We will make every effort to keep you updated on the status of your proposal.
 
Questions?

For general questions about our grantmaking, to receive a paper copy of the guidelines or application materials, or to schedule a phone appointment with a Community Philanthropy Officer, please contact us at (612) 672-3878 or grants@mplsfoundation.org.

Click here to view a complete directory of Community Philanthropy staff.

 
 
Goodwill/Easter Seals

Goodwill/Easter Seals Minnesota helps people overcome barriers to finding and keeping a good job. Their clients experience physical disabilities, poverty, lack of education, little or no work experience, mental illness or past criminal convictions.

In 2007, Goodwill/Easter Seals Minnesota helped 878 people find employment and get on the road to self-sufficiency.

A grant of $75,000 will support ReEntry Works, a pilot program with The Wilder Foundation to help men recently released from prison support themselves and their families through employment. 

Learn more about how Community Grants are making a difference.
 
 
 
The Minneapolis Foundation is Confirmed in Compliance with National Standards for U.S. Community Foundations.

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