The Minneapolis Foundation drives collective action to realize strong, vibrant communities. We cultivate generosity by taking action on the greatest civic, social, and economic needs—partnering with nonprofits, facilitating grantmaking, driving research and advocacy, and providing services to donors seeking to make a difference in their communities.
We believe that those closest to issues are best positioned to understand and address them. We partner with others to sow and nurture the seeds of strong, vibrant communities by:
Promoting civic participation and leadership
Fostering belonging, connection, and inclusion
Increasing access to opportunities that advance upward mobility
Seeing and dismantling barriers that hold inequities in place
We are guided in our work by our Strategic Framework, which requires us to be bold, optimistic, and responsive to the voices of those most affected by challenges in our community.
When we launched in 1915, the concept of a community foundation was just a year old. The innovative idea behind it—a place-based organization that allows residents in a community to pool their charitable giving—would go on to transform philanthropy. Today, innovation continues as we redefine the role a community foundation plays in lasting change.
One of the key differences between a community foundation and a commercial provider of charitable funds is the people. We are a mighty team with a blend professional and lived experiences and the passion to back it up.
Every day, we partner with like-minded individuals, organizations, and corporations to pursue our vision of strong, vibrant communities. To expand on our work and inspire more changemakers, we proudly engage in the following operating partnerships:
Check out resources on critical local issues like education, criminal justice reform, and more.
Join the movement for equity by investing in one of our community-driven initiatives.
Be a part of learning collectives and events that connect you to a network of people who care about community. See what’s coming up around Minneapolis!
This hands-on experience for emerging philanthropists is the perfect opportunity to dive deep into a local issue, study potential solutions, and pool contributions with other members.
Read the latest news from the Minneapolis Foundation and find out where to direct press inquiries.
We believe in transparency and accountability. View our latest reports and IRS Form 990s.