Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation 2025 Impact Report
2025 ignited transformation — new strategies, fresh grant and investment opportunities, and a dynamic new President & CEO, Chanda Smith Baker.
We envision an equitable, just and vibrant Minnesota where all communities and people thrive.
We inspire, advocate and invest to advance community visions.
Investing in Community-led Solutions
Advocating for Equity
Inspiring Generosity
Donor generosity supported incredible impact — transformative gifts, including those of non-cash assets, helped to meet urgent community needs. Every contribution moved us closer to an equitable, just and vibrant Minnesota.
To organizations through donor advised funds through Dec. 11
From donor advised funds through Dec. 11
receiving grants through donor advised funds through Dec. 11
Because safe and affordable housing is one of our top priorities, the Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation invests in affordable housing nonprofits and initiatives, advocacy and housing partnerships.
See Our Impact in Housing
The Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation invests in a vibrant arts community through our work with donors, nonprofit organizations, artists and other partners.
See Our Impact in Arts
The Foundation invests in leaders and organizations — from grassroots organizations to training organizations and broad coalitions — who drive policy change and inspire a more just Minnesota where all communities and people thrive.
See Our Impact in DemocracyWe launched bold collaborations to tackle systemic inequities, strengthened local organizations and reimagined our grantmaking, always guided by community input that creates pathways for long-term change.
To communities by the Foundation, our fundholders and partners through Dec. 11
To organizations, initiatives and projects through Dec. 11
Receiving grants through Dec. 11
The Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation, F. R. Bigelow Foundation and Mardag Foundation announced a five-year, $20 million philanthropic initiative.
This coordinated effort will contribute to ongoing initiatives that address the growing housing stability challenges in Minnesota by investing in community-led solutions, supporting shelters, preventing evictions and advancing policy innovation that promotes production.
Read about Our Home State
The Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation is excited to announce the 2025 Minnesota Community IDEAS Grant Program grant recipients.
In the program's first year, we awarded a total of $1.6 million to 15 nonprofit organizations located in and serving Minnesota and the 11 Native Nations that share its geography.
Meet the 2025 Grantees
Grant funding to 27 groups supported projects in two categories: Fortify Grants and Futuring Grants.
The MN Forward Pooled Fund was started by a collaborative of funders to address communities that were impacted by short- and long-term effects brought on by recent federal shifts.
See the Grant Recipients
In our second year implementing the Bush Prize as the Bush Foundation's community grant partner in Minnesota, we recognize Dakota Wicohan and Foster Advocates for their extraordinary impact.
Get to know these honorees and the six finalists recognized for their contributions to our community.
Meet the 2025 Honorees
Scroll through to see grant highlights from the year.
Even as the Foundation's roots reside in the East Metro, the ripples of our work can be felt throughout the state. We often partner with foundations both big and small to support grant programs that reach all corners of Minnesota. Some examples of this statewide impact can be seen through our collaborations with the Bush Foundation, the Taylor Family Farms Foundation and our Community Affiliates.
Through its Mission Related Investment portfolio, our partner F. R. Bigelow Foundation deployed $2 million in place-based impact investments — supporting businesses, environmental innovation and healthcare equity in Minnesota.
These investments strengthen local economies, accelerate PFAS remediation, and drive transformative healthcare solutions, aligning financial returns with community resilience and social good.
Since 2019, we have recognized Black, Indigenous and People of Color changing and challenging dominate narratives through their work through Art In This Present Moment. This year we partnered with Ananya Dance Theatre, Dakota Wicohan and One Voice Mixed Chorus to select the artists.
This year marked 19 years of the Facing Race Awards where we honored anti-racism advocates working to create a more equitable world.
This year has meant so much to us at the Foundation.
You, our fundholders, partners and leaders across the state, are the heart of this work. Your belief in what we can accomplish together pushes us to keep going, to stretch a little further and to imagine more boldly. We’re reminded every day that we are not defined by the challenges in front of us, but by how we meet our community — with courage, creativity and a deep sense of hope.
Ananya Dance Theatre opened Kealoha to a world of dance and movement beyond Western techniques, which has helped her connect deeply to her own traditional practices.
See the project
These organizations work every day to support all members of our community — across cultures, identities and experiences.
How You Can Help
A webinar in partnership with the Center for Rural Policy and Development shared rural Minnesota trends, community impact and what we can do to build a thriving state.
Watch the recording
Choral director Waigwa aims to bring the human experience to the concert stage.
See the project
Minnesota nonprofit Future of Us is helping Asian American Pacific Islander youth find their voices and become agents of change.
See the impact
A panel event showcased how women of faith are poised to shape and enrich the philanthropic landscape, as they have for generations.
See the impact
The initiative, focused on expanding housing stability and catalyzing local housing solutions, includes Ecolab as an early funder.
See the News
A multiracial, multi-faith coalition empowers Minnesotans to shape their communities and secure lasting change.
Watch the video
