Where Giving Grows

Who We Are

The Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation partners with thousands of donors, nonprofit organizations and community members to help us meet our aspiration: An equitable, just and vibrant Minnesota where all people and communities thrive.

Building a Vibrant Minnesota

As Minnesota’s largest community foundation, we inspire, advocate and invest to advance community visions. This purpose guides our work in and for Minnesota and the Twin Cities’ East Metro.

Learn What We Do

Northern Minnesota forest covered in snow

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President & CEO Eric Jolly Announces 2025 Retirement

The Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation has announced that our President and CEO, Eric J. Jolly, Ph.D., will retire after nearly 10 years of leadership.

Since 2015, Dr. Jolly's leadership has left an immensely positive impact on our community and the state. Read a letter from Dr. Jolly sharing a reflection on his time at the Foundation.

View the Announcement

New Statewide Grant Opportunity

The interest form for the Minnesota Community IDEAS Grant Program is open now – Jan. 30 at 1 p.m.

The program seeks to design, test and spread ideas that make our communities better for everyone and inspire, equip and connect people through meaningful, community-led change.

View Grant Guidelines

2024: A Year of Partnership and Innovation

Listen to our President & CEO, Eric J. Jolly, Ph.D., reflect on last year's accomplishments and what’s ahead in 2025.

This year, we collaborated with other foundations to support our nonprofit partners; we provided pathways for our fundholders to support their favorite causes; and we celebrated the work of incredible community leaders and organizations.

See the Year in Review

Corner Conversations: Open Arms of Minnesota

Learn how one organization is changing lives with medically tailored meals.

For nearly 40 years Open Arms of Minnesota has been delivering medically tailored meals across the state to thousands of individuals with life-threatening illnesses and critical health issues. Watch our latest episode of Corner Conversations to learn more.

Watch the Video

From Lab to Stage: Kenji Shoemaker's Unique Path in Theater

There’s a unique art and science to prop and stage design. These skills helped former scientist Kenji Shoemaker switch careers, showcasing his talents behind the curtains.

The theater has allowed Kenji the opportunity to produce diverse stories from beginning to end impacting the way lights, sound, design and special effects bring them to life.

Watch the Video

Staging Community: Building a Supportive Ecosystem for one Local Theater

For nearly 20 years, Exposed Brick Theatre has made it their mission to provide up-and-coming playwrights of color with opportunities to share their stories.

The theater prides itself on being in relation with other arts organizations and artists that empower communities and challenge issues of social justice. With support from the Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation, they were able to fund the world premiere of "Muyehpen."

Watch the Video

Serving Our Community

Donors

Make the most impact with your charitable dollars. Learn why we are the choice partner for thousands of donors.

Professional Advisors

You can expect that we will take great care of your clients to ensure their unique giving visions are realized.

Nonprofits

Through grants and partnership, we support innovative organizations across the state of Minnesota.

Stay Connected

Grant Opportunities

The Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation and our partners F. R. Bigelow Foundation and Mardag Foundation offer a variety of grant programs to support nonprofits meeting diverse community needs across the East Metro and Minnesota.

Throughout 2024, we engaged in a community-informed process to redesign our application-based Building Community Capacity grant program. On November 18, 2024, we announced new grant application processes and updated funding priorities that will take effect in 2026. View our grant redesign hub for the latest information.

In addition, we offer grant programs with rolling application dates, including the Community Sharing Fund and Management Improvement Fund, and opportunities as a community grant partner of the Bush Foundation.

See All Grant Opportunities

Our Impact

9,604

Grants given

To organizations, initiatives and projects in 2023

$106M

Granted

To communities by the Foundation in 2023

3,253

Number of organizations

receiving grants in 2023

$1.8B

Combined charitable assets

The largest community foundation in the state

See our impact in 2024

Where Giving Grows

Who We Are

Building a Vibrant Minnesota

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