Ordean Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $1,505,000
• Success Rate: Highly competitive (specific % not disclosed)
• Decision Time: 4-6 weeks total
• Grant Range: $500 - $150,000 (Catalyst Grants up to $20,000)
• Geographic Focus: Duluth and adjacent St. Louis County, MN

Contact Details

Website: https://www.ordean.org/
Phone: 218-726-4789
Email: admin@ordean.org
Address: 740 East Superior Street, Suite 202, Duluth, MN 55802

Overview

Established in 1933 with a $2.1 million bequest from banker Albert Ordean and his wife Louise, the Ordean Foundation has distributed over $55 million to local nonprofits since the early 1970s. With current assets of $40.5 million and annual giving of $1.5 million, the foundation strives to "inspire, encourage, and support effective community efforts to confront poverty and nurture a healthier community for all residents." Originally providing direct aid during the Great Depression, the foundation evolved following the War on Poverty legislation to focus on building relationships with agencies serving low-income residents. Under the leadership of former Duluth Mayor Don Ness since 2017, the foundation takes a dual approach: supporting basic needs while breaking generational cycles of poverty through strategic investments in social justice, youth development, education, and job training.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Catalyst Grant Program: Up to $20,000 - One-time grants for pilot projects, events, initiatives, capacity-building, program development, or capital needs. Two cycles annually with April 15 and August 15 deadlines. By invitation only.

Priority Areas

• Supporting Basic Needs: Food, shelter, clothing, health care, personal safety
• Breaking Generational Cycles of Poverty: Social justice, youth development, education, job training
• Emerging and unmet community needs
• Organizations confronting poverty and nurturing community health

What They Don't Fund

• Election campaigns
• Lobbying activities
• Direct religious purposes
• Grants to private foundations or individuals
• Projects duplicating services already provided by Duluth-based nonprofits (for organizations not based in Duluth)

Governance and Leadership

Don Ness - Executive Director (since January 2017): Former Duluth Mayor (2008-2016) with 91% approval rating, previously executive director of workforce development at Lake Superior College. Ness states: "Poverty is a persistent challenge and a growing challenge, both here and around the country. In many ways it is the very core issue facing our country." He emphasizes taking "a much larger, strategic and long-term view to address these persistent problems."

Pamela Arola - Staff Member: Supports nonprofit organizations focused on confronting poverty in the Duluth community.

The Board of Directors provides strategic direction and governance, with a Program Committee evaluating proposals and making recommendations each cycle.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Note: Catalyst Grants are by invitation only

1. Complete eligibility quiz on foundation website
2. Submit Application Request Form (at least 30 days before deadline)
3. Submit Proposal Summary (1,500 character limit)
4. Wait up to 2 weeks for invitation decision
5. If invited, complete full application via online portal
6. Submit project budget using Catalyst Grant Budget Template

Decision Timeline

• Proposal Summary Review: Up to 2 weeks
• Full Application Review: Program Committee evaluation
• Board Decision: Within 2 weeks of application deadline
• Total Timeline: 4-6 weeks from initial submission
• Notification: Via email

Success Rates

Catalyst grants are highly competitive with limited funds available. The foundation distributed 50 grants from $1.5 million in annual giving. Unable to fund all proposals meeting guidelines.

Reapplication Policy

No specific policy publicly available. Contact admin@ordean.org for guidance on reapplying after an unsuccessful application.

Application Success Factors

• Clear Poverty Focus: Explicitly demonstrate how your project confronts poverty or supports community well-being aligned with Ordean's mission
• Compelling Proposal Summary: Since grants are invitation-only, your 1,500-character summary is critical - make every word count
• Demonstrate the Three Ws: Clearly articulate WHAT your project accomplishes, WHO it impacts, and WHY it's a community need
• Emphasize Innovation: Catalyst grants respond to "emerging and unmet community needs" - highlight how your project fills gaps
• Local Commitment: Foundation prefers organizations physically based in Duluth with long-term community commitment
• Detailed Budget: Have a thorough project budget ready using their template
• Early Submission: Submit Application Request Form at least 30 days before April 15 or August 15 deadlines

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Invitation-only process means your initial proposal summary must be exceptionally compelling to secure full application invitation
• Dual poverty approach allows flexibility - frame projects as either meeting immediate needs OR breaking poverty cycles
• Local preference strongly favors Duluth-based organizations with demonstrated community commitment
• Highly competitive with limited funds - ensure your project clearly fills unmet community needs
• Quick turnaround of 4-6 weeks total allows for relatively fast funding decisions
• Fiscal sponsorship accepted - organizations without 501(c)(3) status can still apply through sponsors
• Strategic leadership under former Mayor Ness signals openness to innovative, long-term poverty solutions

References

• Ordean Foundation Official Website: https://www.ordean.org/ (Accessed February 25, 2026)
• For Grantseekers page: https://ordean.org/for-grantseekers
• Mission in Action: https://www.ordean.org/mission-in-action
• Our History: https://www.ordean.org/our-history
• Our Team: https://www.ordean.org/our-team
• Cause IQ Profile: https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/ordean-foundation,410711611/
• GuideStar Profile: https://www.guidestar.org/profile/41-0711611
• Candid Foundation Directory: https://fconline.foundationcenter.org/fdo-grantmaker-profile/?key=ORDE001
• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer: https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/410711611
• "Former Duluth Mayor Don Ness selected to lead Ordean Foundation" - Duluth News Tribune