The Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation seeks to strengthen quality of life in the East Metro and support a vibrant Minnesota by supporting organizations, programs and initiatives that are informed by, formed by and benefit residents.
Donor Name: Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation
State: Minnesota
County: Dakota County (MN), Ramsey County (MN), Washington County (MN)
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 02/20/2026
Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000
Grant Duration: 1 Year
Details:
Funding Priorities
The Community Solutions Grant Program will focus on organizations, programs or initiatives serving the East Metro through:
Community & Economic Development
- The Foundation seeks to invest and partner in solutions informed and formed by the people facing the highest barriers to wealth creation, economic security and family-sustaining career pathways. This includes BIPOC, women, veterans, young people, people with disabilities, formerly incarcerated people and LGBTQIA+ people.
- Specific priorities for wealth creation include strengthening the entrepreneur ecosystem, increasing local ownership of businesses and homes, and expanding access to culturally appropriate services. Regarding economic security, the Foundation recognizes the importance of anchor institutions embedded at the neighborhood level. For workforce development, they will prioritize employment pathways that meet the needs of individuals and employers alike.
Health & Human Services
- The Foundation continues to prioritize health organizations that focus on health equity and increase access to affordable, culturally relevant health services. The Foundation hopes to align its health grants to be inclusive of programs and organizations that serve low-income families and provide free or affordable, culturally relevant services and holistic care.
- Given the increase in severity, cost of and demand for mental health services, urgent care and/or crisis prevention, access to reproductive health care, trauma-informed health care, and free or reduced services for uninsured or underinsured communities, the Foundation will prioritize these programs and organizations to continue to serve most vulnerable and marginalized communities.
- In addition to supporting work that centers the voices of the people most impacted, special priority will be given to disability support services, child welfare support services, family and parent support services, food relief and assistance, older adult services, immigration and legal services, and re-entry supports for formerly incarcerated people.
Youth & Education
- The Foundation recognizes how important it is for students and young people to feel cared for, protected, valued and seen. This is complex and urgent work, and the Foundation will prioritize organizations that blend academic, social and emotional supports for young people most impacted by educational inequity.
- The Foundation will also support organizations working toward ensuring a robust early childhood system that gives children and families access to high-quality early care and education programs.
Types of Grants
- General Operating
- These grants provide flexible funding for nonprofits. To be eligible for general operating support, organizations must primarily serve the East Metro area with 50% or more of all services provided by the entire organization benefiting East Metro (Dakota, Ramsey and Washington counties) residents.
- Program/Project
- These grants provide funding for programs/projects serving 50% or more East Metro residents. Any organization is eligible for this type of grant, regardless of overall geographic focus.
- Capital
- To be eligible for capital support, organizations must demonstrate ongoing or potential significant benefit to East Metro (Dakota, Ramsey and Washington counties) residents. Capital grants will support an organization’s long-term resiliency or infrastructure including:
- Efforts to ensure critical resources remain stable and present in the East Metro (e.g., “comprehensive campaigns” intended to grow or strengthen organizational capacity; program innovations or compliance updates needed to ensure responsiveness and relevancy, etc.)
- Physical or digital capital needs such as purchase, updates to or maintenance of buildings, facilities, technology and/or equipment
- To be eligible for capital support, organizations must demonstrate ongoing or potential significant benefit to East Metro (Dakota, Ramsey and Washington counties) residents. Capital grants will support an organization’s long-term resiliency or infrastructure including:
Funding Information
Grant amounts will be up to $50,000 per year for a one-year grant period. In 2026, up to $2,350,000 is available for this grant program, and anticipate awarding approximately 50 grants.
Geographic Areas
Organizations should have a demonstrated impact or potential for impact in the East Metro (Dakota, Ramsey and Washington counties)
Eligibility Criteria
- Grants can be made to 501(c)3 nonprofits, government entities, educational institutions or organizations with a fiscal sponsor.
While an organization may be eligible to apply, attention and preference will be given to organizations:
- Addressing disparities and/or creating more equitable outcomes for communities experiencing marginalization due to race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, age, ability or geography
- Establishing a clear connection to the Informs, Forms, Benefits framework, which states that those experiencing barriers should not only benefit from the work they support, but inform, form, and lead it as well
For more information, visit SPMCF.
