The Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation seeks to strengthen quality of life in the East Metro 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: All Time
Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000
Grant Duration: 1 Year
Details:
Priorities
Through general operating, program/project and capital support, the Community Solutions grants focus on organizations, programs and initiatives serving the East Metro (Dakota, Ramsey and Washington counties). The program’s funding priorities include:
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
Types of Grants
The Foundation will consider grant applications for:
- General Operating Support
- 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 Support
- 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 Support
- 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 they anticipate awarding approximately 50 grants.
Geographical Areas
Through the Community Solutions Grant Program, they are proud to serve and fund the East Metro region (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.
- Organizations should have a demonstrated impact or potential for impact in the East Metro (Dakota, Ramsey and Washington counties).
- 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.
