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CommunityGiving

Annual Giving
$18.4M
Grant Range
$0K - $0.1M
Decision Time
2mo

CommunityGiving

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $18,418,840 (2024)
  • Total Assets: $238 million
  • Success Rate: Data not publicly available
  • Decision Time: Varies by affiliate foundation and grant program
  • Grant Range: $200 - $50,000+ (varies by program)
  • Geographic Focus: Minnesota (Alexandria, Brainerd, Carver County, Paynesville, St. Cloud, Willmar areas) and Derby, Kansas

Contact Details

Main Office:

  • Address: 101 7th Avenue S. #100, St. Cloud, MN 56301
  • Phone: (320) 253-4380 or toll-free (877) 253-4380
  • Email: info@communitygiving.org
  • Website: www.communitygiving.org
  • Fax: (320) 240-9215
  • Business Hours: Monday-Thursday 7:30am-5:00pm, Friday 7:30am-12:00pm

Key Leadership:

  • Steve Joul, President & CEO
  • Dominic Papatola, Chief Impact Officer
  • Laura Helmer, Board Chair

Overview

CommunityGiving was founded as an umbrella organization to strengthen local communities by empowering community foundations across multiple regions. With over $238 million in collective assets as of June 2024, CommunityGiving provides centralized services including fund accounting, planned giving expertise, investment management, and grant administration for its affiliate foundations. The organization partners with seven core foundations: Alexandria Area Community Foundation, Brainerd Lakes Area Community Foundation, Community Foundation for Carver County, Central Minnesota Community Foundation, Paynesville Area Community Foundation, Willmar Area Community Foundation (all in Minnesota), and Derby Community Foundation (Kansas). With over 1,300 charitable funds managed across these affiliates, CommunityGiving has distributed over $132 million in philanthropic support back into communities. The organization received a significant grant from the Blandin Foundation to help rural Minnesota communities create community-driven development strategies and tap into future wealth transfers.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs by Affiliate Foundation

Central Minnesota Community Foundation (St. Cloud area):

  • Difference Maker Grants: $15,000-$20,000 for projects supporting homelessness prevention and support in Benton, Stearns, and Sherburne counties (Open Feb 1-Mar 31)
  • Central Minnesota Arts Grants: $3,500-$7,500 for arts and culture programming (Open Feb 1-Mar 31)
  • Central Minnesota Boys and Men Grants: $2,500+ for programs supporting boys and men (Open Sep 1-Oct 31)
  • Central Minnesota Special Needs Grants: $3,800-$10,000 for programs supporting individuals with special needs (Open Sep 1-Oct 31)
  • Bernick's Beverages and Vending Fund Grants: Supporting community initiatives (Open Aug 1-Sep 30)

Brainerd Lakes Area Community Foundation:

  • Difference Maker Grants: Up to $30,000 for community-wide projects; organizations may reapply for up to three years of consecutive funding
  • Focus areas: Disadvantaged youth, workforce development, affordable housing, daycare initiatives, health and wellness programs

Alexandria Area Community Foundation:

  • Difference Maker Grants: Supporting education, social services, health, arts & culture, and civic initiatives
  • Ruth McDonald Fund Grants: $3,590-$5,000 for health and wellness programming, especially for people in poverty

Willmar Area Community Foundation:

  • General Grants: Supporting community operations and programs
  • Difference Maker Grants: $25,000-$50,000 (invitation only)
  • Opportunity Gap Grants: $5,000-$20,000 supporting five building blocks to help children succeed

Community Foundation for Carver County:

  • Grants for capital campaigns, programs, and projects improving quality of life in Carver County

Priority Areas

CommunityGiving and its affiliates actively fund:

  • Education and youth development programs
  • Social services and human services
  • Health and wellness initiatives
  • Arts and culture programming
  • Civic affairs and community development
  • Environmental conservation and outdoor recreation
  • Programs supporting disadvantaged populations
  • Mental health services
  • Homelessness prevention and support
  • Workforce development
  • Programs benefiting women and girls
  • Diversity and inclusion initiatives
  • Animal health and welfare

What They Don't Fund

Specific exclusions vary by individual fund, as each of the 1,300+ funds has its own purpose, timeline, and geographic requirements. Applicants should check individual grant guidelines for specific restrictions.

Governance and Leadership

Board of Directors:

  • Laura Helmer, Board Chair
  • Kate Barr, Board Member (nationally recognized expert in nonprofit finance and governance, Senior Advisor for the Minnesota CDFI Coalition)
  • Tim Torgerson, Board Member (development professional with 39 years of fundraising experience)
  • Patrice (Pat) Hedlund, Board Member (extensive experience in finance, healthcare, and community philanthropy)

Executive Leadership:

  • Steve Joul, President & CEO
  • Dominic Papatola, Chief Impact Officer

The organization operates with a collaborative governance structure, with each affiliate foundation having its own board and grant advisory committees that recommend applications for funding.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

All grant applications must be submitted online through the CommunityGiving Grant Management System by midnight on the respective deadline. No paper applications are accepted.

Application Process:

  1. Visit www.communitygiving.org and select the appropriate affiliate foundation
  2. Review available grant opportunities and select "View Grant" to see specific requirements
  3. Submit application online through the grant management system
  4. Applications are reviewed by Grant Advisory Committees
  5. Committees make recommendations to the Board of Directors for final approval

Eligibility:

  • 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations
  • Schools or government entities
  • Organizations must align with the specific geographic service area and purpose of the individual fund

Important Application Notes:

  • Organizations may only submit one application per grant round (this applies to arts grants and may apply to other programs)
  • Each fund has its own purpose, timeline, and geographic requirements
  • Applications must demonstrate clear organizational fit with the funder's mission

Decision Timeline

Decision timelines vary by affiliate foundation and grant program:

  • Grant Advisory Committees review applications after deadlines close
  • Committees recommend applications to Boards of Directors
  • Notification methods and timelines vary by specific grant program
  • Most grant rounds operate on annual or semi-annual cycles

Success Rates

Success rates are not publicly disclosed. However, CommunityGiving notes that the number and value of grants awarded continues to grow each year due to donor generosity.

Reapplication Policy

Brainerd Lakes Area Community Foundation: Organizations may reapply for Difference Maker Grants for up to three years of consecutive funding.

For other affiliate foundations, specific reapplication policies are not publicly documented. Applicants should contact the specific affiliate foundation for guidance on reapplication after an unsuccessful attempt.

Application Success Factors

Understanding Organizational Fit: CommunityGiving emphasizes that applicants must have a clear understanding of organizational fit between their project's mission and that of the specific fund. With over 1,300 funds, each having unique purposes and requirements, applicants should thoroughly research which funds align with their work.

Following Instructions: The organization stresses that applications must be submitted online only and by the midnight deadline. Applications that do not pass basic eligibility requirements will not be reviewed.

Demonstrating Community Impact: Given CommunityGiving's mission to "strengthen local communities," successful applications demonstrate:

  • Clear community need and how the project addresses it
  • Measurable outcomes and community-wide impact
  • Collaborative approaches with other organizations
  • Sustainability and long-term community benefit

Recent Funded Projects Examples:

Central Minnesota Community Foundation (2024-2025):

  • ConnectAbility of MN: $10,000 for equipment program supporting special needs
  • WACOSA: $9,500 for Lift Us Up Project (special needs)
  • Catholic Charities: $6,700 for Therapeutic Engagement Project
  • Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Minnesota: $2,500 for Passport to Manhood program
  • Center for Victims of Torture: $15,000-$20,000 for mental health services
  • GREAT Theatre: $3,500-$7,500 for arts programming
  • St. Cloud Symphony Orchestra: Arts grant
  • The Yes Network: Youth programming grants

Brainerd Lakes Area Community Foundation (2024):

  • Outreach BLA: $15,000 Difference Maker Grant
  • Sharing Bread Soup Kitchen: Community support funding
  • Kinship Partners: $7,500 for youth mentoring program
  • Lakes Area Music Festival: Arts and culture support
  • Confidence Learning Center: Special needs programming

Alexandria Area Community Foundation (2024):

  • Outreach Food Shelf: $29,000 to expand cold storage capacity and access to nutritious foods
  • Various health and wellness initiatives: $3,590-$5,000 through Ruth McDonald Fund

Strategic Approaches:

  • Use the CommunityGiving Grant Resources page (communitygiving.org/grant-resources) which provides access to Grantspace for sample applications and FAQs
  • Research through Foundation Directory Online for detailed grantmaker profiles
  • Demonstrate alignment with one of the priority focus areas (education, human services, health, arts & culture, civic affairs, etc.)
  • For "Difference Maker" grants, emphasize community-wide, lasting, and positive changes

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Know Your Funds: With 1,300+ funds under management, thoroughly research which specific fund(s) align with your mission before applying
  • Online Only: All applications must be submitted through the online grant management system—no exceptions for paper applications
  • Geographic Specificity: Each affiliate foundation serves specific geographic areas; ensure your organization serves the correct region
  • Deadline Adherence: Applications must be submitted by midnight on the deadline date; late applications will not be accepted
  • Collaborative Impact: CommunityGiving values collaborative nonprofit projects that address community needs through partnerships
  • Multi-Year Potential: Some programs (like Brainerd's Difference Maker Grants) allow for up to three consecutive years of funding—plan accordingly
  • Use Available Resources: Take advantage of free grant resources provided through the Foundation Center, Grantspace, and other tools on their website
  • Community Support Matters: Applications demonstrating community engagement, local funding matches, and broad community benefit are valued

References

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