Help Our Community Navigate the COVID-19 Pandemic

The world, our nation, and our local community are in uncharted territory as we navigate the COVID-19 pandemic. The regional outbreak will have immediate and long-term economic effects on people and organizations all over our community, and Minneapolis-St. Paul nonprofits are on the front lines of this rapidly evolving situation. Weathering this crisis will require sustained compassion from all of us. Let’s work together to help those in need.

Responding to Emerging Needs

We are supporting business and essential program continuity for local nonprofits through The Minneapolis Foundation’s OneMPLS Fund. This collective impact fund is designed to be nimble and responsive to emerging needs aligned with the Foundation’s mission. Proceeds from the OneMPLS Fund will provide grants to organizations that:

Provide services to address the economic impact on individuals whose employment has been reduced or eliminated as a result of the pandemic, particularly the most vulnerable segments of the workforce (e.g., contract workers, artists, and students).
Meet basic needs for vulnerable populations, particularly older adults and youth.

Thanks to the generosity of many, the OneMPLS Fund has made nearly $2 million in grants to 147 nonprofits. The needs in our community are great: Since we launched this funding opportunity on March 30, 2020, more than 350 organizations have requested a total of $14.2 million in support. 

SEE WHO WE’VE FUNDED

Contribute

You can contribute to the OneMPLS Fund via a credit card donation or an interaccount transfer from your charitable fund.

CONTRIBUTE

Request Support

The Foundation’s online portal for this funding opportunity is currently closed. We expect to announce the next grant round in early July 2020.

Frequently Asked Questions

The OneMPLS Fund is one of many resources that civic and philanthropic organizations are deploying to support the needs of individuals, nonprofits, and other organizations in Minneapolis-St. Paul and greater Minnesota. Please review the answers below here to better understand the OneMPLS Fund’s purpose and expected grantmaking scope.

I am an individual affected by the COVID-19 situation. Can I apply for assistance from the OneMPLS Fund?

We understand that the COVID-19 pandemic is having and will continue to have a significant impact on individuals and families in Minneapolis-Saint Paul. However, this fund is designed to make grants to 501(c)(3) organizations and groups fiscally sponsored by a nonprofit. It is our goal to move resources as quickly as possible to community-based organizations that are directly supporting the local residents who are most affected by the pandemic.

May I target my donation to a specific organization?

To ensure that we can coordinate and share resources from the OneMPLS Fund as quickly as possible, donors may not restrict their grants to an individual grantee. If you have a specific organization you would like to support, we encourage you to give directly to that organization and suggest providing a general operating grant. If you have a Donor Advised Fund at The Minneapolis Foundation or are interested in establishing one, our Philanthropic Advisors can help you navigate the needs across our community.

Should I give to the OneMPLS Fund instead of making other donations?

No. The OneMPLS Fund is not intended to be the only vehicle to give funds to nonprofits working on the frontlines of the COVID-19 outbreak. We encourage you to give directly to organizations you may have supported in the past or nonprofits you know are addressing needs in your community.

Is there a geographic focus for this fund?

The OneMPLS Fund will prioritize funding for organizations in the seven-county metro area, with a preference for organizations that serve residents in Minneapolis.

Can current grantees apply for funds?

Yes. Current grantees are eligible to apply.

Will more funding be available through the OneMPLS Fund?

Yes. After distributing nearly $2 million in OneMPLS grants this spring, we paused the application process to plan our next phase of community investment. We expect to announce details about the next phase in early July 2020. Sign up for email notifications.

I am part of a private family foundation. Can my foundation support COVID-19 relief efforts through the OneMPLS Fund?

Yes! We welcome other philanthropic entities to join us in this collective giving fund and will keep you updated about how the funds are used. Please contact Jenny Johnson at jjohnson@mplsfoundation.org for details on how to direct a grant to the OneMPLS Fund.

My company is interested in supporting our employees through the COVID-19 pandemic and other potential future hardships. Can The Minneapolis Foundation help my company establish a program?

We have a history of working with corporations and small business to design and facilitate innovative philanthropic programs tailored to each company’s corporate goals. Please contact Russell Betts at rbetts@mplsfoundation.org or Peter Black at pblack@mplsfoundation.org to explore how the Foundation can help your business.

I am a Professional Advisor and would like to help my clients identify ways they can support nonprofit organizations responding to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Can you provide me with information that I can share?

We would be happy to help you and your clients navigate the pressing needs during this unprecedented time. Please contact Steph Donley at sdonley@mplsfoundation.org.

Read the Latest OneMPLS Fund Updates

The Minneapolis Foundation Awards Fourth Round of OneMPLS Pandemic Response Grants

These grants support regional efforts to address the economic impact of COVID-19, providing flexible resources to local organizations that serve communities disproportionately affected by the pandemic.

Read More

In a Time of Great Need, They’re Building on a Legacy of Giving

To support the community during the pandemic, one local family paired their annual gifts to the nonprofits they’ve always supported with a special grant to the OneMPLS Fund.

Read More

In the pandemic, they’re giving more—and getting it out the door faster

When COVID-19 landed in the United States, it didn’t take long for the Spencer family to realize they wanted to ramp up their philanthropy to support the community.

Read More

In This Moment

Now it is more important than ever to access the spaciousness of calm on a regular basis. Using meaningful breath, movement, and meditative practices can help reduce the stress hormone load on systems and allow our creative problem-solving brain to engage more fully. Here are some resources to help you…

Read More

The Minneapolis Foundation Awards Third Round of OneMPLS Pandemic Response Grants

The Minneapolis Foundation concluded the initial phase of grantmaking from its OneMPLS Fund in response to the COVID-19 crisis, distributing an additional $570,000 to 44 nonprofit organizations.

Read More

Nonprofit Survey Highlights Key Needs During Pandemic

Thank you to the hundreds of nonprofits who responded to a Minneapolis Foundation survey in late March that sought to understand the challenges organizations face as COVID-19 permeates our communities.

Read More