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Minneapolis Foundation

Annual Giving
$114.0M
Grant Range
$10K - $0.3M
Decision Time
3mo

Minneapolis Foundation

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $114 million (FY 2024)
  • Total Assets: Over $1 billion
  • Decision Time: Varies by program (typically 2-5 months)
  • Grant Range: $10,000 - $350,000
  • Geographic Focus: Seven-county Twin Cities metropolitan area (Minneapolis-St. Paul region), Minnesota
  • Established: 1915

Contact Details

Main Office: 800 IDS Center 80 S Eighth St Minneapolis, MN 55402

Phone: 612-672-8665

Website: https://www.minneapolisfoundation.org

Grant Inquiries:

Overview

The Minneapolis Foundation, established in 1915, is one of the oldest and largest community foundations in the United States. With over $1 billion in assets, the Foundation administers more than 1,500 charitable funds created by individuals, families, businesses, and nonprofits. During the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024, the Foundation received more than $98 million in gifts and distributed nearly $114 million in grants—marking the fourth consecutive year exceeding $100 million in annual grantmaking. Under the leadership of President and CEO R.T. Rybak (since 2016), the Foundation has evolved from a traditional grantmaker to a community changemaker, focusing on equity and justice in education, economic mobility, and the environment. The Foundation is a signatory to Philanthropy's Promise and has committed to allocating the majority of grantmaking dollars to marginalized communities and at least 25% to social justice strategies such as advocacy, community organizing, and civic engagement.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The Minneapolis Foundation offers multiple grant programs throughout the year, with varying focus areas and funding amounts:

Racial and Economic Justice Grants

  • Amount: $25,000 - $50,000
  • Total Available: Approximately $3.2 million annually
  • Description: Supports organizations engaged in policy advocacy and movement building to build generational wealth in communities of color
  • Application Method: Online portal, fixed deadline

Reimagine Education Grants

  • Amount: Varies by program
  • Description: Invests in community-led efforts to address systemic inequities in K-12 education, empower youth, and provide resources to educators
  • Application Method: Online portal, annual cycle
  • Timeline: Applications typically due in spring; decisions by late August; funding awarded in early September

Climate Action and Racial Equity Grants

  • Amount: $20,000 - $50,000
  • Total Available: Approximately $300,000 annually
  • Description: Supports climate-related community projects that center racial equity
  • Application Method: Online portal, annual cycle

WCA Foundation Project Investment Grants (Signature Fund)

  • Amount: $10,000 - $30,000
  • Total Available: Approximately $675,000 to 25-30 organizations
  • Description: Addresses basic needs for Minnesota women and reproductive health through general operating support grants
  • Application Method: Online portal, biannual rounds

OneMPLS Fund

  • Description: Pools money to respond nimbly to urgent community needs, targeting 1-3 pressing issues in greater Minneapolis each year
  • Track Record: Since 2019, has made more than $6 million in grants to more than 160 nonprofits
  • Application Method: Responsive grantmaking

Fund for Safe Communities

  • Description: Supports meaningful actions to address and prevent violence, promote healing, and address systemic inequities
  • Priority: Organizations led by Black, Indigenous, and people of color, grounded in needs of diverse Minneapolis neighborhoods
  • Application Method: Rolling and responsive

Main Street Economic Revitalization Grants

  • Description: Supports business corridor revitalization and development projects
  • Recent Awards: $7.6 million committed to 18 development projects in 2024
  • Application Method: Competitive application

Environmental Justice Grants (EPA-funded)

  • Amount: Three tiers available:
    • Tier One: $150,000 for assessment
    • Tier Two: $250,000 for planning
    • Tier Three: $350,000 for project development
  • Description: Part of $50 million EPA award to fund environmental justice projects in the Midwest
  • Application Method: Competitive application

Priority Areas

  • Equity and Justice in Education: K-12 initiatives addressing systemic inequities, youth empowerment, educator resources
  • Economic Mobility and Racial Justice: Policy advocacy, movement building, generational wealth building in communities of color
  • Environment and Climate Action: Community-led climate projects centering racial equity, environmental justice
  • Community Safety: Violence prevention, healing-centered approaches, addressing systemic inequities
  • Women's Issues: Basic needs and reproductive health for Minnesota women (WCA Foundation)
  • Downtown Revitalization: Business corridor development, Main Street economic development
  • Homelessness: Re-entry services, housing programs, advocacy, youth services

What They Don't Fund

Based on WCA Foundation and other program guidelines:

Religious Activities:

  • Charitable activities that promote a religion or require participation in religion as a condition for receiving services
  • Religious organizations for religious purposes or projects with religious overtones (though grants may be made to faith-based organizations for non-religious purposes if other criteria are met)

Medical Research:

  • Medical research projects
  • Grants to national health organizations (though projects benefiting a population afflicted with a medical ailment may be considered)

Fundraising Requirements:

  • Organizations or projects requiring employees to raise some or all of their salaries through individual fundraising efforts

Fiscal Sponsorship:

  • Requests from fiscal agents or fiscal sponsors (WCA Foundation specifically)

Ineligible Expenses (Main Street Program):

  • Purchase of real estate
  • Business operations or operating expenses
  • Inventory
  • Wages
  • Working capital

General Restrictions:

  • Organizations with outstanding grant reports cannot apply until they submit outstanding items

Governance and Leadership

Executive Leadership

R.T. Rybak - President and CEO (since 2016)

  • Former three-term mayor of Minneapolis
  • Under his leadership, the Foundation has more than doubled annual grantmaking, now exceeding $100 million per year
  • Quote: "We also believe a collaborative leadership model can be especially important as the Foundation continues to bring more voices into our decision-making and engage more deeply with our community."
  • Vision: Moving "from grantmaker to changemaker," recognizing that addressing persistent injustices requires more than just grants

Board of Trustees

The Board consists of approximately three dozen residents of the Minneapolis-St. Paul metro area who are leaders in the public, private, and nonprofit sectors.

Board Leadership (2024):

  • John Taft - Chair (Vice Chair of Baird)

Recent Trustees Added (June 2024):

  • Juliana Batista - Vice President, Human Resources, International at General Mills
  • Brenda Child - Noted author and scholar
  • Kate Kelly - Former Executive Vice President and Regional President of PNC Bank, Minneapolis-St. Paul
  • Tim Palmer - Senior Fixed Income Portfolio Manager at PMA Asset Management

The Foundation actively expands its board with leaders from banking, corporate management, nonprofit work, and public service sectors.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

All applications must be submitted through the Foundation's online portal. The Foundation offers multiple grant programs with different application cycles.

General Application Process:

  1. Review Eligibility: Carefully read the guidelines for each funding opportunity to confirm eligibility

  2. Download Preview Documents: Before beginning the online application, download the Application Preview Worksheet to draft responses offline

  3. Create Account: Set up your account in the new online application portal well before the deadline, even if your organization has received funding from the Foundation previously. Multiple individuals from one organization can create separate accounts.

  4. Attend Info Session: Watch recorded info sessions with details about grant opportunities, including guidelines, eligibility criteria, application review process and timeline, and tips for using the online application

  5. Submit Application: Complete and submit your application through the online portal by the deadline (typically 1:00 PM on the deadline date)

  6. Receive Updates: After submission, the Foundation will contact you with updates and request feedback on the application process

Eligible Organizations:

  • 501(c)(3) nonprofits
  • Churches or public schools (which provide direct services to individuals)
  • On rare occasions, individuals or community groups with a nonprofit fiscal agent (program-dependent)

Technical Assistance:

  • For technical questions about the application process: grantsadministration@mplsfoundation.org or 612-672-8665
  • For questions about eligibility or proposal content: Contact varies by program
  • Response time: 1-2 business days

Decision Timeline

Decision timelines vary by grant program:

Reimagine Education Grants:

  • Decisions: Late August
  • Funding awarded: Early to mid-September

Racial and Economic Justice Grants:

  • Decisions: Late March

Climate Action and Racial Equity Grants:

  • Decisions: Varies by annual cycle

General Timeline: All applicants receive timely notice of grant approval or denial. The Foundation emphasizes transparency and communication throughout the process.

Success Rates

Specific application success rate statistics are not publicly available. However, the Foundation runs approximately 7 competitive grant rounds annually and engages 90+ community members in grant design, decision-making, and evaluation.

Recent Grantmaking Activity:

  • Community grants: Over $13 million distributed
  • Total annual grants: $114 million (includes corporate employee assistance funds, scholarships, designated funds, and other fundholders)
  • Number of grants: The Foundation makes grants to hundreds of organizations annually across multiple programs

Reapplication Policy

Specific reapplication policies for unsuccessful applicants are not explicitly stated in public materials. Organizations with outstanding grant reports cannot apply for the next grant round until they submit outstanding items.

For questions about reapplication after an unsuccessful application, contact program staff or the Grants Administration team at grantsadministration@mplsfoundation.org.

Application Success Factors

Foundation-Specific Priorities

Commitment to Equity:

  • The Foundation prioritizes organizations led by and serving Black, Indigenous, and people of color
  • At least 25% of funding goes to social justice strategies (advocacy, community organizing, civic engagement)
  • Majority of grantmaking dollars allocated to marginalized communities

Community-Led Approaches:

  • The Foundation values community-led efforts and grassroots initiatives
  • Engagement of community members in decision-making is a core value
  • Projects grounded in the needs of diverse Minneapolis neighborhoods are prioritized

Strategic Alignment:

  • Applications should clearly align with one of the Foundation's three core focus areas: education equity, economic mobility, or environmental justice
  • Demonstrate how your work addresses systemic inequities, not just symptoms

Collaborative Spirit:

  • The Foundation emphasizes collaborative leadership and partnerships
  • R.T. Rybak's quote reflects this: bringing "more voices into our decision-making and engage more deeply with our community"

Recent Grant Examples (2024)

Fourth Generation Grants (Homelessness Focus):

  • 180 Degrees: $17,200 for community re-entry services for men experiencing homelessness
  • Lived Experience Advocacy Network: $15,100 for Day on the Hill programming and board stipends
  • The Bridge for Youth: $13,600 for youth response center, housing programs, and outreach
  • United Renters for Justice: $13,300 for geographic expansion and court fee coverage

Other Recent Recipients:

  • Outfront Minnesota (LGBTQ+ advocacy)
  • Legal Rights Center
  • Minnesota Public Schools: $1.3 million investment in 2024

Application Tips from the Foundation

  1. Use Preview Documents: Download application preview worksheets before starting online to draft thoughtful responses
  2. Plan Ahead: Set up your account well before deadlines to avoid technical issues
  3. Attend Info Sessions: Watch recorded sessions for specific guidance on each grant program
  4. Ensure Accuracy: Confirm your organization's contact information is current in the system
  5. Tell Your Story: The Foundation wants to understand your community impact and approach to equity
  6. Budget Carefully: Demonstrate how funding will be used effectively for community benefit

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Equity is Central: The Foundation has made a clear commitment to racial and economic justice—emphasize how your work centers marginalized communities and addresses systemic inequities

  • Community-Led is Valued: Highlight community leadership, grassroots approaches, and authentic engagement with those most impacted by the issues you address

  • Multiple Opportunities: With 7+ competitive grant rounds annually, there may be multiple pathways to funding—carefully review all opportunities to find the best fit

  • Prepare Early: Set up your online portal account well in advance and use preview documents to draft responses offline before the deadline rush

  • Be Specific About Impact: The Foundation has shifted from traditional grantmaking to changemaking—demonstrate how your work creates systemic change, not just direct services

  • Geographic Focus: Priority is the seven-county Twin Cities metro area—clearly establish your connection to and impact in this region

  • Responsive and Transparent: The Foundation prides itself on communication—expect to receive feedback and updates throughout the process, and respond promptly to any requests

References

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