Where Giving Grows

Who We Are

We are a partner to thousands of donors and nonprofit organizations working to help us meet our aspiration: A just and vibrant Minnesota where all people and communities thrive.

Building a Vibrant Minnesota

As Minnesota’s largest community foundation, we inspire generosity, advocate for equity and invest in community-led solutions. 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

Top Stories

Foundations Announce $10.3 Million in Second-Round Grants

Grants will provide crucial funding resources to community organizations making a tangible difference in the lives of individuals and families across the East Metro and Greater Minnesota.

Some of the organizations funded in this round include Urban Bird Collective, Hmong Early Childhood Coalition, The Art Of The Rural, (Neo)Muralismos de Mexico en Minnesota, Family Values for Life and Ain Dah Yung Center.

See the Impact

Reimagining Our Grantmaking for 2026 and Beyond

Throughout 2024, we engaged in a community-informed process to redesign our application-based grant program.

On November 18, we announced the new processes and updated funding priorities that will guide our grantmaking in 2026 and beyond.

View the Grant Redesign Hub

Community Council member Lulete Mola at event

Announcing a New Statewide Grant Program

We are pleased to announce the launch of the Minnesota Community IDEAS Grant Program in partnership with the Bush Foundation.

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 the Announcement

Minnesota Community IDEAS website graphic

Bridging Theater and Music in a New Artistic Journey

Sara Ochs is a multidisciplinary theater artist and songwriter. With support from Art in This Present Moment, Sara will be exploring her talents as a songwriter, writing new music and potentially a one woman play.

Working in theater, specifically at Theater Mu, has helped Sara discover who she is as an artist and as an Asian American woman. To help her bridge the “gap between lived experience and secondhand knowledge,” Sara is working with fellow artist Jennifer Weir. Jennifer has served as a sounding ear, helping Sara stay on track and come up with ideas through various writing exercises.

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."

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Watch the 2024 Facing Race Awards

Join us in celebrating our 2024 Facing Race Award recipients: Ma Elena Gutierrez, Tish Jones, Jametta Raspberry and Larry Tucker! The awards video is now available to watch.

The Facing Race Awards recognize anti-racism advocates in Minnesota working for justice and equity. Through these Awards, we celebrate and learn from those leading the way forward.

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.

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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 2023

Where Giving Grows

Who We Are

Building a Vibrant Minnesota

Top Stories

Foundations Announce $10.3 Million in Second-Round Grants