With about a billion dollars in total assets, about $108 million in annual giving and the support of approximately 1,650 donors, the Minneapolis Foundation is one of the leading funders in the Upper Midwest. This community foundation keeps nearly three-quarters of its giving within the state of Minnesota and has been operating for well over a century now. This is a good funder to know for organizations all throughout the state, working in a wide variety of fields and issue areas.
To guide Minnesota grantseekers, here are three important things to know about the Minneapolis Foundation and how it approaches philanthropy.
There are many topics of interest
Since it’s a community foundation, it probably comes as little surprise to learn that the Minneapolis Foundation has broad interests and supports many different causes. This is one of the earliest community foundations ever created, but it has evolved with a strong dedication to innovation and redefining its role as time passes, to stay relevant to the community and drive lasting change.
Topics of interest for the Minneapolis Foundation include the arts, climate, criminal justice reform and education. It also supports advancements in health and the fight for racial and economic justice, and maintains a commitment to responsive philanthropy and transparency.
Each grant program is unique
At any given time, there are typically only a few open funding opportunities available at the Minneapolis Foundation. During these windows, grantseekers can submit unsolicited applications via an online portal after setting up an account and waiting for the foundation to respond with feedback and updates. Some of these openings are responsive to current events while others are annual commitments, one-time opportunities, or funding through giving circles and membership groups.
Minneapolis Foundation grant programs address racial and economic justice, climate change, a more equitable education system and violence prevention. Other interests in the past have included affordable housing, pandemic relief, small business support and economic revitalization in city business corridors. The Minneapolis Foundation is also home to a couple different giving circles. The WCA Foundation is a signature fund of the Minneapolis Foundation and is run by volunteer women to support human service agencies and programs. Fourth Generation, another giving circle, supports young, emerging philanthropists who care about local issues and want to make a difference in their communities.
Resources for learning and connecting are available
The Minneapolis Foundation has created a Learning Hub on its website, where nonprofit professionals and the general public can learn about issues that affect people in Minnesota and take action. At the time of writing, the Learning Hub had 75 podcasts, 60 stories, 35 videos and 15 events available.
For more information about what the Minneapolis Foundation offers and the types of organizations that typically get its support, check out IP’s full profile of this grantmaker in our Upper Midwest and Plains Funding Guide.