Annual Grants Awarded

In 2020, Fourth Generation awarded $76,000 in grants to local organizations that are working to advance climate justice.

See Who We Funded

Year-end Report

Learn about Fourth Generation’s process and the great organizations we funded in 2019.

Read the Report

The Fourth Generation Experience

Fourth Generation is a hands-on experience in philanthropy. Members work together to learn about a critical local issue. They identify promising efforts to address it. And they pool their donations to make a bigger impact than they could alone.

Since Fourth Gen got started in 2010, more than 100 members have donated, raised, and given away nearly $300,000 to address critical issues such as mental health, youth homelessness, food justice, small business development, resources for immigrant populations, aging, and criminal justice reform. They’ve learned about our community, discovered unique and innovative organizations, and gained skills that will help them shape our community’s future. Want more of our history? Read about how Fourth Generation came to be a destination for emerging philanthropists.

Here is a glimpse of how it works:

Learn About a Critical Issue

Share Ideas, Talent & Experiences

Connect with Local Leaders & Peers

Give More by Pooling Your Donation

Ready to make a difference? Support Fourth Generation by donating below.

Donate Now

 

Upcoming Events

Mark your calendars!

Grantmaking Meetings
Every third Wednesday of the month from 6 – 8 p.m.

Become a Member of Fourth Generation

Are you ready to make a real difference? Fourth Generation offers our members a variety of educational opportunities to develop their leadership skills, learn about effective giving, and meet local leaders. To reflect the busy schedules of our members, we have created different levels of membership that reflect the commitment you are able to make:

 

Giving Level Fourth Generation Grantmakers Fourth Generation Innovators
Gift Amount $250+ $500+
Donor Recognition Included Included
Give 4 Good Invitation Included Included
Education Events All Complimentary All Complimentary
Graze 4 Good Discount on 2 General Admission Tickets 2 Complimentary General Admission Tickets + Discount on 2 VIP Tickets
Grantmaking Committee Included Included
Fourth Gen Donor Advised Fund Included Included
Private Philanthropy Briefing with Foundation Leadership Included
Foundation Annual Luncheon Complimentary Admission

 

Are you ready to make a real difference? Fourth Generation offers our members a variety of educational opportunities to develop their leadership skills, learn about effective giving, and meet local leaders. To reflect the busy schedules of our members, we have created different levels of membership that reflect the commitment you are able to make.

What Does All of This Mean?

Social Events
Are you considering joining Fourth Generation? These social events facilitate networking and relationship building among members new and old, and often include having a good time.

Give 4 Good
This is our end-of-year celebration where we present grants to community organizations addressing critical needs.

Charting Your Individual Giving
Join us for a discussion on how to think strategically about making philanthropy meaningful and feasible for you. You will leave with tools to design a giving plan that matches your values and your budget. Bring your partner!

Educational Events
This year we are hosting an education series covering topics including Nonprofits 101, Giving Circles, What is a Donor Advised Fund, Anyway?, and events focused on our chosen community issue.

Graze 4 Good
You won’t want to miss our annual fundraising event. Think signature cocktails, the hottest local chefs, and a celebration just short of a food fight.

Grantmaking Committee
Join the monthly meetings where we collaboratively investigate a local issue, evaluate proposals, conduct site visits, and make grants. Members of this group have the opportunity to serve on the Fourth Generation Advisory Board.

Private Philanthropy Briefing
A unique opportunity to spend time discussing an issue of your choice over a private lunch with Minneapolis Foundation leaders.

Foundation Annual Luncheon
Each spring we gather for a celebration of the work happening at The Minneapolis Foundation, which includes the accomplishments of our flagship Giving Program, the Fourth Generation Fund.

Our Advisory Board

Jason Borah, Graze 4 Good Co-Chair
Senior Research Quality Analyst
University of Minnesota Foundation

Theja Chitneni, Communications Chair
Program Officer – Corporate Responsibility
Target

Sam Hills, Alumni Chair
Senior Analyst – Strategy Implementation
Target

Emily Lamberty
Grants Manager
Jeremiah Program

Kara Lillehaug, Graze 4 Good Co-Chair
Assistant County Attorney
Assistant County Attorney

Sara Lueben, Chair
Community Engagement Coordinator
NorthPoint Health and Wellness Center, Inc.

Mary McKinley, Education + Equity Co-Chair
‎Executive Director
Heartland Democracy

Amy Podlesak, Education + Equity Co-Chair
Development Director
Junior Achievement of the Upper Midwest

Julia Ruther, Grantmaking Chair
Institutional Relations Manager
The Friends of Saint Paul Public Library

Sacha Seymour-Anderson, Membership Chair
Advancement Officer
Environmental Initiative

What’s New With Fourth Gen

Learn the latest about upcoming events, community issues, community impact, and everything else Fourth Gen gets up to right here.

Fourth Generation Caps Off 10th Grantmaking Cycle with $76,000 in Climate Justice Grants

In a variety of ways, this year’s grantees are all working to create climate solutions that ensure the right of all people to live, work and play in safe, healthy and clean environments.

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Fourth Generation Awards $60,000 in Grants

Fourth Generation, a program of The Minneapolis Foundation that brings together emerging philanthropists, awarded $60,000 in grants to six local organizations working to address place-based disparities. Each organization will receive $10,000. Members of Fourth Generation work together to learn the skills of strategic giving and pool their resources to make…

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Fourth Generation Awards $70,000 in Grants to Support Affordable Housing

Fourth Generation, a program of The Minneapolis Foundation that brings together emerging philanthropists, awarded $70,000 in grants to seven local organizations working on affordable housing. Each organization will receive a $10,000 grant. Members of Fourth Generation work together to learn the skills of strategic giving and pool their resources…

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Fourth Generation Raises $22,000 for Affordable Housing at Graze 4 Good

Fourth Generation, a program of the Minneapolis Foundation, raised more than $22,000 to support local organizations focused on affordable housing at its 7th annual Graze 4 Good fundraiser…

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Top chefs cook for a cause at Graze 4 Good

What are the ingredients of a perfect Sunday night? If gourmet food paired with a great cause sound good to you, grab your tickets now for Graze 4 Good…

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Fourth Generation Awards $65,000 in Grants to Support Criminal Justice Reform

Fourth Generation, a program of The Minneapolis Foundation that brings together emerging philanthropists, has awarded $65,000 in grants to seven local organizations working on criminal justice reform…

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