The Constellation Fund is accepting applications from organizations that improve the living standards of low-income individuals in the Twin Cities seven-county metro area.
Donor Name: Constellation Fund
State: Minnesota
County: Anoka County (MN), Carver County (MN), Dakota County (MN), Hennepin County (MN), Ramsey County (MN), Scott County (MN), Washington County (MN)
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 04/30/2025
Size of the Grant: Not Available
Grant Duration: 1 Year
Details:
Focus Areas
- Education
- The Constellation Fund seeks applications from academic tutoring organizations that serve PreK – 12 students in the seven-county metro area living at or below 200% of the federal poverty guidelines. This focus area includes tutoring interventions that take place in or outside school settings. It also includes organizations that develop tutoring curricula, lesson plans and software, as well as programs that train tutors. Programs that incorporate youth mentorship are encouraged to apply. Curricula may focus on any academic discipline, but reading, writing and math are preferred. Individual private tutors do not qualify
- Employment
- The Constellation Fund seeks applications from organizations that provide workforce development services directly to current or potential workers in the 7-county metro who are at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Line. Programs may leverage strategies such as, but not limited to, Adult Basic Education (ABE), career training programs, apprenticeships, on-the-job training, career coaching, professional development, job retention programs, and may have additional services such as transportation or childcare to support job retention. Organizations that only or primarily provide job placement should not apply
- Health
- The Constellation Fund will directly invite some organizations providing oral health or dental services to submit an application. Due to temporary staff capacity limitations, Constellation is not reviewing unsolicited applications in the health impact area
- Housing
- Constellation is not considering applications for Housing programs at this time. They will continue learning from the housing organizations in portfolio to refine approach to housing and understand how Constellation might support this impact area in future grant rounds.
Grant Period
Constellation only provides one-year grants, but their intention is to build long-term relationships with grantee partners.
Eligibility Criteria
- Organizations must operate within one or more of the following Minnesota counties: Anoka, Carver, Dakota, Hennepin, Ramsey, Scott, and Washington
- Organizations must predominately serve those living below 200% of the federal poverty line in the seven-county Twin Cities metro
- A significant portion of the organization’s programs must address one or more of Constellation’s core poverty-fighting impact areas: education, housing, health, and employment.
Assessment Categories
- Organizational Capacity
- Proven model that consistently leads to the stated impact on clients
- Organization guided by a clear vision and strategy
- Strategic partners in place that improve or accelerate goals/outcomes
- The board, executive director, and staff all have a shared understanding of core strategies to reach organizational goals
- Strategic plan used in daily decision making and serves as a management tool for measuring activities and outcomes
- Organizational Leadership
- Leadership is reflective, self-aware, and a strong external ambassador for the organization
- Leadership is able to execute on program vision and is willing to take a hard look at themselves and the organization to make changes
- Leadership is results-driven and committed to continuous improvement throughout the organization
- Team is built out to allow for appropriate use of time and expertise; staff reflects diversity of background and expertise
- Appropriately sized and diverse board with clear roles and responsibilities for board members and committees
- Board members provide sufficient oversight of financials and leadership
- Financial Management
- Strong financial position and transparency in financial documents
- Clean, audited financial statements
- Positive annual net income
- Strong cash flow management
- Diversity of funding sources
- Will consider special circumstances for startups.
For more information, visit Constellation Fund.
