← Back to US Funders Directory

Securian Financial Foundation

Annual Giving
$4.5M
Grant Range
$5K - $0.2M
Decision Time
3mo

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $4,508,982 (2023)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
  • Decision Time: 2-3 months
  • Grant Range: Varies widely; known grants include $200,000 for major initiatives
  • Geographic Focus: Minnesota, with emphasis on Saint Paul
  • Number of Grants: Approximately 90-106 grants annually

Contact Details

Website: https://www.securian.com/about-us/sustainability/strengthening-communities/securian-foundation.html

Email: CommunityRelations@securian.com

Phone: Not publicly listed

Address: 400 Robert Street North, Saint Paul, MN 55101

Pre-Application Support: The foundation offers informational Zoom sessions before each grant cycle. Contact CommunityRelations@securian.com to register.

Overview

The Securian Financial Foundation was established in 1988 as the philanthropic arm of Securian Financial Group. With assets of approximately $77 million, the foundation distributed $4.5 million in grants in 2023 across approximately 90 organizations. The foundation's mission is to "empower families to build secure tomorrows by investing in programs that promote financial stability, support youth and education, and build vibrant communities." The foundation maintains a strong commitment to Minnesota communities, particularly Saint Paul, where Securian Financial Group has been headquartered for over 140 years. Under the leadership of Chris Hilger, chairman, president and CEO of Securian Financial, the company has significantly increased its community giving, with total contributions (including foundation grants, in-kind donations, and employee volunteerism) reaching over $8.5 million in 2020—a 25% increase over the previous year. Securian Financial has been a Minnesota Keystone Program member for 38 consecutive years, demonstrating sustained commitment to giving at least 5% of pre-tax profits to community causes.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation operates with two annual grant cycles, with applications due March 1 and September 1. Decision notifications are sent in the second week of May and November, with funding distributed by the end of those months.

The foundation organizes its grantmaking around three core areas:

Financial Stability Focus areas include food security, housing, workforce development, and emergency basic needs. Recent recipients include Catholic Charities, Second Harvest Heartland, Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity, and Greater Twin Cities United Way.

Youth and Education Emphasis on college readiness, mentoring, youth programming, and equity in education. Supported organizations include Big Brothers Big Sisters, College Possible, Junior Achievement North, and The Page Education Foundation.

Vibrant Communities Supports performing arts, museums, cultural programs, environmental sustainability, community-building, and civic opportunities. Recipients include Minnesota Children's Museum, Science Museum of Minnesota, Minnesota Historical Society, and Twin Cities Public Television.

Priority Areas

  • Economic development and workforce training programs
  • Programs serving economically disadvantaged and low-income individuals
  • Youth development and educational equity initiatives
  • Arts, culture, and community enrichment programs
  • Housing and food security programs
  • Programs that align with Securian's commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion

Geographic Priorities: Strong emphasis on Minnesota, particularly Saint Paul. Out-of-state or national organizations are considered only if they strongly enhance the foundation's mission and priorities.

What They Don't Fund

  • Political, lobbying, or fraternal activities
  • Start-up funding for new organizations
  • Religious organizations for denominational purposes
  • Organizations without 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status
  • Fundraising events, benefits, sponsorships, or advertising support
  • Individual scholarships or individual funding
  • Endowment campaigns
  • Athletic, recreation, or sports-related organizations
  • Services traditionally supported by government agencies
  • International organizations
  • Trips or tours
  • Hospitals or healthcare services (except through matching gifts program)
  • Conferences, seminars, workshops, or symposiums
  • Public and private K-12 schools (though matching gifts are allowed)
  • Capital funding (requires existing relationship with Securian)

Governance and Leadership

Chris Hilger serves as chairman, president and CEO of Securian Financial Group. He has demonstrated commitment to community philanthropy through past board service on the St. Paul and Minnesota Foundations. Regarding the company's community impact, Hilger has stated: "Securian Financial's purpose and values were on full display in 2020. The worst pandemic in a century highlighted the importance of the peace of mind and financial security we help provide our customers and their families. We took care of those who count on us when it mattered most."

Specific foundation board members are not publicly disclosed in available databases. The foundation operates as a separate 501(c)(3) entity (EIN 36-3608619) affiliated with Securian Financial Group.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Applications must be submitted online through the CyberGrants portal. The foundation does not accept paper applications.

Application Deadlines:

  • Spring Cycle: March 1
  • Fall Cycle: September 1

Before Applying: The foundation strongly encourages prospective applicants to:

  1. Review the timeline, funding priorities, and restrictions on the foundation website
  2. Contact CommunityRelations@securian.com to register for an informational Zoom session before the grant cycle
  3. Speak with the Foundation Manager to assess whether your organization and project align with current funding priorities

Important Note for New Applicants: According to feedback from grant seekers, the foundation funds many nonprofits on an ongoing basis, and available funding for new grantees may be limited. The foundation manager will candidly discuss whether new dollars are available and whether it's worth applying at a given time. Existing relationships with the foundation significantly improve chances of funding.

Decision Timeline

  • March 1 deadline: Decisions announced second week of May; funding distributed by end of May
  • September 1 deadline: Decisions announced second week of November; funding distributed by end of November

Total timeline from application to decision: approximately 10-11 weeks

Success Rates

Specific success rates are not publicly disclosed. However, with approximately 90-106 grants awarded annually and total giving of $4.5 million, individual grants average around $40,000-$50,000, though specific grants can be significantly larger (such as a $200,000 grant to Extempore for the Minnesota Seal of Biliteracy program).

Reapplication Policy

The foundation does not publish a formal reapplication policy for unsuccessful applicants. Organizations interested in reapplying should contact the foundation to discuss timing and any changes that might strengthen future applications.

Application Success Factors

Based on guidance from the foundation and feedback from grant seekers, successful applications typically demonstrate:

Strong Alignment with Funding Priorities: The foundation's website states that requests are considered "based on how well they fit into their funding categories." Applications should explicitly connect to one of the three core areas: Financial Stability, Youth and Education, or Vibrant Communities.

Connection to Minnesota Communities: With strong emphasis on Minnesota and particularly Saint Paul, applications should demonstrate direct impact on these communities.

Commitment to Equity and Inclusion: The foundation supports organizations that do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, disability or any other legally protected characteristics. Applications should reflect commitment to serving diverse communities.

Clarity on Measurable Outcomes: Questions for proposals are available on the foundation website and align with both foundation priorities and corporate values. Applications should address these questions with specific, measurable outcomes.

Relationship Building: Multiple sources indicate that connecting with foundation staff before applying significantly improves success. Attending informational Zoom sessions and speaking directly with the Foundation Manager are highly recommended.

Realistic Expectations for New Grantees: Feedback from grant advisors suggests that "Securian funds many nonprofits on an ongoing basis, and it is hard to get in if not currently a grantee." New applicants should be prepared for competitive consideration and should focus on demonstrating exceptional alignment with priorities.

Recent Funding Examples:

  • Extempore (with MN Zej Zog): $200,000 for Minnesota Seal of Biliteracy program
  • Wide range of established Minnesota nonprofits across financial stability (food banks, housing), education (mentoring, college access), and cultural institutions (museums, theater, historical societies)

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Contact the foundation before applying: The foundation actively encourages pre-application communication and offers informational sessions. Use these opportunities to assess fit and get guidance.

  • Focus on one of three core areas: Clearly align your proposal with Financial Stability, Youth and Education, or Vibrant Communities—and demonstrate measurable impact in these areas.

  • Minnesota connection is critical: Out-of-state organizations face significant barriers unless they can demonstrate exceptional alignment with foundation mission and clear benefit to Minnesota communities.

  • Existing grantees have advantage: The foundation maintains ongoing relationships with many organizations. New applicants should be aware that competition for "new" dollars may be limited.

  • Use the two-cycle system strategically: With March 1 and September 1 deadlines, organizations can plan ahead and choose the cycle that best aligns with project timelines.

  • Capital funding requires existing relationship: Organizations seeking capital support must have an established relationship with Securian Financial—new applicants should focus on programmatic support.

  • Demonstrate diversity and inclusion commitment: The foundation explicitly supports organizations serving economically disadvantaged populations and communities reflecting diversity. Applications should clearly articulate this commitment.

References

← Back to US Funders Directory