Foundations that fund youth programs in Minnesota
These 25 foundations made grants to youth programs 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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Mortenson Family Foundation
- $50,000 to Sol of the Cities, Burnsville: Capacity building
- $30,000 to Sol of the Cities, Burnsville: Unrestricted
- $30,000 to Youth Leadership Initiative, 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
- $70,000 to 30000 Feet, Roseville: Arts + tech center campaign
- $50,000 to The Sanneh Foundation Inc, Saint Paul: The sanneh foundation capital campaign "building for tomorrow"
- $30,000 to World Youth Connect, Saint Paul: 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 Richard M Schulze Family Foundation
- $100,000 to Boys & Girls Clubs of the Twin Cities, St Paul: Education
- $40,000 to The Sanneh Foundation, St Paul: Human services
- $30,000 to Hospitality House Youth Development, 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
Cargill Foundation
- $708,333 to Achieve Twin Cities, Minneapolis: Career and college readiness minneapolis (mps) and saint paul public schools (spps)
- $285,600 to Achieve Twin Cities, Minneapolis: Stem for all
- $235,000 to Achieve Twin Cities, Minneapolis: Career and college readiness: increasing fafsa completion, student confidence, and...
How to apply: Https://www.cargill.com/about/community/cargill-foundation-headquarters
The Walser Foundation
- $15,000 to Achieve Twin Cities, Minneapolis: Grant - career and college initiative
- $10,000 to Urban Boatbuilders, St Paul: Grant - general operating expenses
- $10,000 to Boys and Girls Clubs of the Twin Cities, St Paul: Grant - k-12 academic success
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.
The Mcknight Foundation
- $100,000 to Juxtaposition Inc, Minneapolis: for general operating support
- $30,000 to Win Back, Bloomington: to support the annual Day of Remembrance to honor the memory of George Floyd and...
- $25,000 to World Press Institute, St Paul: for general operating support
How to apply: Please see the end of the return for the additional attachments containing the information for Lines 2b - 2d.
The Hubbard Broadcasting Foundation
- $30,000 to The Sanneh Foundation, St Paul: "lead the way" captial campaign
- $16,667 to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Twin Cities, St Paul: Bbbs realizing potential campaign- pledge 2 of 3
- $10,000 to Cookie Cart, Minneapolis: Gos2024
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
Fred C and Katherine B Andersen Foundation
- $355,000 to Girl Scouts of Minnesota and Wisconsin River Valleys, Saint Paul: General operating
- $200,000 to Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Greater Twin Cities, Minneapolis: General operating
- $85,000 to Camp Fire Minnesota, Excelsior: General operating
How to apply: The foundation mission, funding priorities, and application can be found at fkandersen.org
Deadlines: March 30, june 30, and october 30
Restrictions: Organizations seeking funding must be 501(c)(3) public nonprofit organizations. Endowment funding does not fall within the guidelines of the foundation. The foundation also does not provide funding to individuals, political campaigns,...
Hardenbergh Foundation
- $215,000 to Sanneh Foundation, St Paul: Building for tomorrow
- $15,000 to Urban Boatbuilders, St Paul: General operating
- $15,000 to Achieve Twin Cities, 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 Mcneely Foundation
- $50,000 to 30000 Feet, Saint Paul: Black arts & tech center capital campaign
- $40,000 to Cookie Cart, Minneapolis: Youth earn as you learn program
- $35,000 to 30000 Feet, Saint Paul: Black arts & tech center
How to apply: Letter form, include copy of exemption letter, describe intended use of funds
Deadlines: Submission deadlines are december 1st, march 1st, and june 1st.
Restrictions: Awards are primarily to minnesota charities; no awards are paid to individuals.
Connexus Energy Foundation
- $16,250 to Hope 4 Youth, Anoka: Donation
- $4,706 to Boys and Girls Clubs of the Twin Cities, St Paul: Donation
- $2,500 to Robert & Wilma Burbach Bike Foundation of Mn, Ham Lake: 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 Sauer Family Foundation
- $164,066 to The Sanneh Foundation, St Paul: None
- $155,000 to Boys and Girls Clubs of the Twin Cities, Saint Paul: None
- $25,000 to The Reel Hope Project, 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.
Andersen Corporate Foundation
- $50,000 to Girl Scouts of Minnesota and Wisconsin River Valleys, St Paul: FY24 Girl Scouts Leadership Experience Grant
- $10,000 to Urban Boatbuilders Inc, Saint Paul: Apprenticeship Program for Underserved Youth in the Twin Cities
- $10,000 to Construction Careers Foundation, Minnetonka: Empowering Minnesota's next construction workforce through low-barrier trades education
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 Open Doors for Youth, Elk River: General operating costs to support youth experiencing homelessness
- $25,000 to Life House Incorporated, Duluth: Comprehensive support services for youth experiencing homelessness
- $10,000 to Cuyuna Range Youth Center Inc, Crosby: Supporting the youth
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...
John Templeton Foundation
- $1,259,516 to Regents of the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis: Agency, directionality, and function: foundations for a science of purpose
- $56,203 to Regents of the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis: For general support
How to apply: A detailed description of a grantee's proposed charitable activities is included in the john templeton foundation's online application form. The form requires that all applicants provide a description of the proposed activities, why they are important and how they relate to our...
Deadlines: Submission deadlines as explained on the foundations website at www.templeton.org.
Restrictions: Awards should advance the charitable, scientific, educational, literary, and religious purposes of the foundation's funding areas. The funding areas include character virtue development, individual freedom and free markets, life sciences,...
Target Foundation
- $200,000 to Juxtaposition Inc, Minneapolis: Economic opportunity - hometown
- $100,000 to Cookie Cart, 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
The Graco Foundation
- $150,000 to Avenues for Youth, Minneapolis: General operating support
- $30,000 to Achieve Twin Cities, Minneapolis: General operating support
How to apply: Grant requests should include a cover letter, on organizational letterhead, describing your program and how it fits our focus areas. In addition, each proposal should contain:brief description of the organization's history; program objectives; clients served; budget, including...
Deadlines: No deadlines
Restrictions: Emphasis will be placed on educational programs, especially stem programs; human service programs promoting workforce development; and youth development. Organizations located in neighborhoods close to graco inc. Facilities and employees'...
John W Mooty Foundation Trust
- $161,002 to The Sanneh Foundation, St Paul: Community service
- $15,111 to Camp Fire Minnesota, Excelsior: Community service
How to apply: No specific form required
Restrictions: None; minnesota beneficiaries preferred
The Spencer Foundation
- $90,880 to Regents of the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis: Indigenous community-based mobile game design
- $75,000 to Regents of the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis: Community asset mapping
How to apply: Application, information, and materials requirements posted on website.
Deadlines: Deadlines posted on foundation's website, www.spencer.org
Restrictions: Information posted on foundation's website, www.spencer.org
Wells Fargo Foundation
- $50,000 to Girl Scouts of Minnesota and Wisconsin River Valleys Inc, Saint Paul: Girl scouts leadership institute
- $30,000 to Cookie Cart, Minneapolis: Financial health
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/
Lloyd K Johnson Foundation
- $20,000 to Boys & Girls Club of the Northland, Duluth: Capacity building
- $20,000 to Mentor North, Duluth: Mentoring to build resilience and de
How to apply: Email or call foundation staff to discuss proposed application. If request fits guidelines organizations submit application for consideration. Additional information may be requested by foundation.
Deadlines: January 15, april 15, july 15, and october 15 of each grant year.
Restrictions: The foundation accepts applications from organizations located or providing services within lake, cook, and southern st. Louis counties in minnesota. The foundation's areas of interest include arts and culture, community and economic...
Bame Foundation
- $25,000 to Boys & Girls Clubs of the Twin Cities, Saint Paul: Charitable gift
- $6,000 to Camp Fire Minnesota, Excelsior: Charitable gift
How to apply: Online grant application
Deadlines: Requests submitted minimum 60 days prior to event
Donaldson Foundation
- $23,000 to Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Greater Twin Cities, Minneapolis: Contribution provided
- $1,000 to Minutebot Boosters, 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...
Lahti Family Foundation
- $10,000 to Life House Inc, Duluth: Support of daily operations
- $5,000 to Boys & Girls Club of Northland, Duluth: Support of daily operations
How to apply: No specific form
Deadlines: None none
Minnesota Power Foundation
- $10,000 to Mentor North, Duluth: Foundation grant
- $1,500 to Positive Energy for Youth, Cloquet: Youth scholarships
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...
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