Grants

Welcome

Together, The Minneapolis Foundation, our funding partners, and our individual donors contribute more than $30 million in grants each year.

As a community foundation, our grantmaking supports efforts to meet Minnesota's most pressing needs and connects donors with the causes they care about.

Special Notes for Grantseekers

New grantmaking guidelines will be issued in 2009. Read the full announcement here.
Requests for Crisis Funding to Support Program or Operating Expenses

With the downturn in the economy, decreases in funding and grants, and increased need in the community, nonprofit organizations are challenged to meet revenue goals. The Minneapolis Foundation is not in a position to respond to requests for emergency funding to cover budget shortfalls or operating expenses.

If you are a nonprofit seeking assistance, we encourage you to contact Nonprofits Assistance Fund for a Financial Needs Assessment as a proactive step in planning for financial stability. For other resources, referrals or services contact The Minnesota Council of Nonprofits or MAP for Nonprofits.

Grantmaking Guidelines

The Minneapolis Foundation last updated its grant guidelines in March 2004.

Download the Broader Reach grant guidelines.

Scroll down for an overview of our funding opportunities.

Funding Opportunities At a Glance

The Minneapolis Foundation offers a variety of funding opportunities for Minnesota organizations – to meet the charitable interests of our donors and respond to community needs. These guidelines are designed to help you connect with resources to make a lasting, positive difference in the life of our community.

The Minneapolis Foundation's Broader Reach guidelines describe three funding opportunities:

Community Grants

Connections Grants

Requests for Proposal

Major Funding Partners

Our funding partners share The Minneapolis Foundation's grantmaking guidelines and strategies.

Emma B. Howe Memorial Foundation

B. C. Gamble and P.W. Skogmo Fund

North Star Fund

Piper Family Fund

Robins, Kaplan, Miller & Ciresi Foundation for Children

Wells Family Fund

Donors of The Minneapolis Foundation

Donors of The Minneapolis Foundation have created a charitable fund or trust at the Foundation or have left a bequest for the Foundation to administer. These donors include families, businesses, communities, and groups of people with a common interest who want to make a difference through philanthropy.

We do not list donors individually on the website out of respect for their privacy.

For more information

If you are considering a funding request, please download the Broader Reach grant guidelines to ensure that your proposal meets our funding criteria. If you have any questions, please contact us at (612) 672-3836 or grants@mplsfoundation.org.

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La Escuelita

La Escuelita aims to reduce the dropout rate and close the achievement gap for Hispanic students by educating and empowering youth and their families to succeed.

La Escuelita, or “Little School,” has delivered academic and culturally-appropriate support services to Latino youth grades 6-12 in the Minneapolis Public Schools since 1991.

In 2007, La Escuelita served 157 students and 92 parents. One hundred percent of the students served stayed in school and either advanced to the next grade level with academic gains or graduated and are now attending college with scholarships.

A two-year grant of $80,000 will help La Escuelita develop new programs such as Teaching the Teachers, which will help instructors meet the academic needs of immigrant students.

Learn more about our Community Grants are making a difference.