Foundations that fund education in Minnesota
These 25 foundations made grants to education in Minnesota in the most recent IRS filing I have for each. None of them ticked the box for giving only to preselected organizations, and each filing gives application instructions or a website. That doesn't prove a foundation takes applications, and some on this list may not. The text below is copied from the filings, most of them for tax year 2024, so check a foundation's website or call before you apply.
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The Mcknight Foundation
- $1,500,000 to Youthprise, Minneapolis: for general operating support
- $370,000 to University of Minnesota Foundation, Minneapolis: to support the Center for Urban and Regional Affairs Community Programs to nourish an...
- $300,000 to Public Health Law Center Inc, St Paul: to support bold, ambitious, and equitable climate action change by providing legal...
How to apply: Please see the end of the return for the additional attachments containing the information for Lines 2b - 2d.
The Richard M Schulze Family Foundation
- $1,873,000 to Catholic Schools Center of Excellence, Minneapolis: Education
- $1,050,000 to Catholic Schools Center of Excellence, Minneapolis: Education
- $650,000 to Catholic Schools Center of Excellence, Minneapolis: Education
How to apply: See grant application guidelines at www.schulzefamilyfoundation.org
Deadlines: See grant application guidelines at www.schulzefamilyfoundation.org
Restrictions: See grant application guidelines at www.schulzefamilyfoundation.org
Mortenson Family Foundation
- $100,000 to Schwarz Africa Fund, Minneapolis: Unrestricted
- $75,000 to Montessori American Indian Childcare Center Incorporated, St Paul: Unrestricted
- $50,000 to Youthprise, Minneapolis: Unrestricted
How to apply: Online application forms may be found at www.mortensonfamily.org
Deadlines: Submission deadlines vary
Restrictions: Guidelines may be found at www.mortensonfamily.org
Fr Bigelow Foundation
- $75,000 to Montessori American Indian Childcare Center Incorporated, Roseville: Montessori american indian childcare center renovations
- $75,000 to Montessori Training Center of Minnesota Inc, Saint Paul: Montessori center of minnesota: capital project
- $40,000 to African American Leadership Forum, Minneapolis: Linking leaders general operating support
How to apply: Before applying, all interested applicants are encouraged to email a member of our grants team to ensure that the grant program fits your needs.
Deadlines: We have two grant rounds each year. Key application dates can be found on our website.
Restrictions: Our primary geographic focus is the greater saint paul metropolitan area, which includes dakota, ramsey and washington counties, with a particular emphasis on serving people who live or work in the city of saint paul. F.r. Bigelow...
The Walser Foundation
- $30,000 to Dunwoody College of Technology, Minneapolis: Grant - automotive program
- $20,000 to Literacy Minnesota, St Paul: Grant - summer reads
- $18,000 to Hope Academy, Minneapolis: Grant - student scholarships
How to apply: Letter of inquiry to nancy warner, foundation director - grant report form. Event sponsorship application - online form.
Deadlines: May 15th & october 15th
Restrictions: Organizations are limited to one application per year.
Cargill Foundation
- $500,000 to Youthprise, Minneapolis: Youthprise cooperative housing & community center (ychcc)
- $450,000 to College Possible, Saint Paul: College access & success programming and fafsa support services
- $277,361 to The African American Leadership Forum, Minneapolis: Forumai
How to apply: Https://www.cargill.com/about/community/cargill-foundation-headquarters
Ja Wedum Foundation
- $100,000 to West Central Area Education Foundation, Barrett: General operating
- $50,000 to Fergus Area College Foundation Inc, Fergus Falls: General operating
- $17,500 to University of Minnesota Foundation, Minneapolis: General operating
How to apply: Resume of academic qualifications or standard grant application
Restrictions: Preference is given to geographical markets where the foundation operates and owns real estate.
Hardenbergh Foundation
- $120,000 to Metropolitan State University Foundation, St Paul: Purchase nursing simulation
- $25,000 to Minndependent, Edina: General operating
- $20,000 to Summit Academy Oic, Minneapolis: General operating
How to apply: Grant requests must include a succinct 3-5 page letter providing information about the organization, financial statement (or form 990) and copy of irs determination letter
Deadlines: October 15th
Restrictions: See footnotes
The Sauer Family Foundation
- $345,000 to Wallin Education Partners, Saint Paul: None
- $130,000 to University of St Thomas, St Paul: None
- $115,000 to Augsburg University, Minneapolis: None
How to apply: Applicants must be 501(c)(3) organizations that have programs and use funding to improve the lives of disadvantaged children and their families.
Deadlines: Call the foundation office before applying for funding.
Restrictions: State of minnesota. Check our website for current funding priorities.
Mike & Linda Fiterman Family Foundation
- $125,000 to University of St Thomas, St Paul: Public support
- $25,000 to Minnesotans Against Terrorism, Hopkins: Public support
- $18,000 to University of Minnesota Foundation, Minneapolis: Public support
How to apply: Application forms are available by contacting person indicated in 2a
Deadlines: Applications are accepted at any time
Restrictions: No grants will be approved for individuals, lobbying or advocacy groups
The Hubbard Broadcasting Foundation
- $50,000 to Communities in Schools of the Twin Cities, St Paul: General operating support pledge- pmt 1 of 3
- $25,000 to Hope Academy, Minneapolis: Hope rising campaign- 4yr pledge, pmt 1
- $25,000 to Minneapolis College of Art and Design, Minneapolis: Next generation scholarship fund
How to apply: Summary form of the history and purpose of the organization, copy of irc section 501(c)(3) status letter, specific project or program that funds will be allocated to, and if funds are to be used for operating or non-operating expenses.
Deadlines: Most foundation activity takes place prior to end of calendar year
Hugh J Andersen Foundation
- $30,000 to Literacy Minnesota, St Paul: General operating support
- $17,500 to Reach Out and Read Minnesota, Bloomington: Wash county general operating supp
- $15,000 to Andersen Parent Group, Bayport: Sense of place project
How to apply: The annual report, application form and guidelines furnished upon request and available at www.srinc.biz/foundations/hugh-j-andersen-foundation/publi cations/
Deadlines: March 15, june 15, august 15, and november 15
Restrictions: The primary geographic focus is the st. Croix valley. This area includes washington county in minnesota and pierce, polk, and st. Croix counties in wisconsin. The secondary geographic focus is the st. Paul, minnesota metropolitan area.
Van Sloun Foundation C/O Baldwin Brothers LLC
- $56,800 to University of Minnesota Foundation, Minneapolis: Unrestricted
- $30,000 to University of Minnesota Foundation, Minneapolis: Unrestricted
- $24,000 to University of Minnesota Foundation, Minneapolis: Unrestricted
How to apply: Letter requesting funds with intended use
The Bush Foundation
- $1,375,000 to Build Wealth Mn Inc, Minneapolis: Support for work related to a program-related investment intended to scale an innovative...
- $275,000 to Education Evolving, Minneaoplis: We are funding education evolving to continue their work in designing and delivering the...
- $150,000 to African American Leadership Forum, Minneapolis: This ecosystem grant provides general operating support for the african american...
How to apply: Varies by program, please see our website
Deadlines: Varies by program, please see our website.
Restrictions: Varies by program, please see our website.
Target Foundation
- $200,000 to Youthprise, Minneapolis: Economic opportunity - hometown
- $200,000 to Build Wealth Mn Inc, Minneapolis: Economic opportunity - hometown
- $150,000 to Summit Academy Oic, Minneapolis: Economic opportunity - hometown
How to apply: See our focus areas at: https://corporate.target.com/sustainability-governance/target-foundation
Deadlines: See our focus areas at web address above
Restrictions: See our focus areas at web address above
Wells Fargo Foundation
- $75,000 to African American Leadership Forum, Minneapolis: 2024 forum policy priorities
- $75,000 to Build Wealth Mn Inc, Minneapolis: 9,000 equities initiative
- $50,000 to Scholars of Finance, Minneapolis: Leadership development programming impact research
How to apply: https://www.wellsfargo.com/about/corporate-responsibility/community-giving/grant-process/
Deadlines: Applications are accepted from february 1 through october 1.
Restrictions: https://www.wellsfargo.com/about/corporate-responsibility/community-giving/grant-process/
The Eagle Foundation
- $67,500 to University of Northwestern - St Paul, St Paul: Tuition reduction
- $65,000 to Bethlehem College & Seminary, Minneapolis: Tuition reduction
- $62,500 to Bethel University, St Paul: Tuition reduction
How to apply: Organization or individual should submit a detailed description of the individual or organization and the proposed activities and purposes of the organization or individual.
Minnesota Power Foundation
- $15,000 to University of Minnesota Foundation, Duluth: Foundation grant
- $10,000 to University of Minnesota Foundation, Duluth: Foundation grant
- $5,000 to Minnesota Discovery Center, Chisholm: Contribution committee
How to apply: Applicants must submit the following information: organization: provide the organization's name and address, plus contact person's name, title and telephone number. Also include the organization's web site and contact's e-mail address if applicable. Organization history: include...
Deadlines: Grant applications are accepted and reviewed throughout the year.
Restrictions: The minnesota power foundation is committed to improving the quality of life in the communities where the company conducts business. The minnesota power foundation focuses its giving in the following areas: education environment community...
Connexus Energy Foundation
- $5,000 to Coon Rapids Community Scholarship Association, Coon Rapids: Donation
- $2,500 to Anoka Ramsey Community College Foundation, Cambridge: Donation
- $2,000 to Centennial Area Education Foundation, Circle Pines: Donation
How to apply: The application form is available on the website of connexus energy at: https://www.connexusenergy.com/about-us/our-community/donation-requests
Deadlines: None - accepting applications year round
Restrictions: Contributions will not be made to the following: religious, political, veteran, and fraternal organizations, except for programs such organizations sponsor for direct benefit to the community and not for themselves; individual sports and...
The Joyce Foundation
- $300,000 to Ed Allies, Minneapolis: Education & economic mobility
- $287,000 to Policy Innovators in Education Network Inc, Minneapolis: Education & economic mobility
- $150,000 to Protect Minnesota, Minneapolis: Gun violence prevention & justice reform
How to apply: See attachment
Restrictions: See attachment
Hiawatha Education Foundation
- $99,550 to Acacia Montessori, Apple Valley: Educational programs
- $86,100 to Creekside Montessori School, Minneapolis: Educational programs
- $49,400 to Little Voyageurs' Montessori School, Columbia Heights: Educational programs
How to apply: Written application / purpose of proposed project / amount of request / number of students
Deadlines: Quarterly for montessori school grants by 9/25, 12/25, 3/25, 6/25.
Restrictions: Montessori awards are limited to non-profit educational organizations or other charitable organizations that use the awards for educational purposes.
Donaldson Foundation
- $133,000 to Scholarship America, Minneapolis: Educational scholarships
- $25,000 to Dunwoody College of Technology, Minneapolis: general support
- $23,000 to Wallin Education Partners, St Paul: Contribution provided
How to apply: The Common Application is accepted. The only formality is a written proposal containing: A description of the organization and its purposes; A list officers and directors; A description of the program or project for which the grant is requested; A discussion of current progress...
Restrictions: We do not give grants to individuals to organizations for religious purposes to groups that exist to influence specific legislation or to associations that participate or intervene in political campaigns. Applicants must qualify for tax...
Andersen Corporate Foundation
- $30,000 to Dunwoody College of Technology, Minneapolis: Dunwoody College's Pathways to Careers (P2C) Program
- $28,000 to Foundation for Bayport Public Library, Bayport: The Foundation for Bayport Public Library Supporting Bayport Public Library
- $20,000 to The Partnership Plan for Stillwater Area Public Schools, Stillwater: Pathways for Stillwater Area High School, 2024-25 Academic Year
How to apply: Grant guidelines and the grant application can be found at: https://www.andersenwindows.com/about/community/ applications must be submitted online.
Deadlines: March 1-31 and august 1-31 annually
Restrictions: Visit website for restrictions and limitations
Mardag Foundation
- $25,000 to African Economic Development Solutions, Saint Paul: Little africa museum
- $25,000 to Faith Community Nurse Network of the Greater Twin Cities, Shoreview: Bridging care for older adults in communities with lower access
- $20,000 to Duluth Community School Collaborative, Duluth: General operations support
How to apply: Before applying, all interested applicants are encouraged to email a member of our grants team to ensure that the grant program fits your needs.
Deadlines: We have two grant rounds each year. Key application dates can be found on our website.
Restrictions: Grants are made to organizations located within or serving the residents of the state of minnesota. Mardag foundation funds projects and programs that improve the lives of children, youth and families; supports projects and programs that...
Linsmayer James B Fdn Tr-Main
- $10,000 to Breakthrough Twin Cities, Saint Paul: General operating
- $10,000 to Summit Academy Oic, Minneapolis: General operating
- $10,000 to Newgate Education & Research Center Inc, Minneapolis: General operating
How to apply: Letter form
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