Impact in Action: Housing
There isn't an issue more fundamental to realizing our aspiration of a state where all people and communities thrive than ensuring that every Minnesotan has stable and affordable housing.
To tackle this issue, we inspire, advocate and invest to advance community visions, alongside community leaders, donors and organizations doing important work across Minnesota.
The Need for Affordable Housing
According to the 2024 Minnesota Housing Partnership report, more than 25% of families in Minnesota, including 50% of renters, pay more than they can afford for housing1. Rents are climbing and housing instability continues to rise. In addition, the racial homeownership gap persists.
Related, more than 75% of respondents to our East Metro Pulse perception survey said affordable housing is a somewhat or very significant issue in the East Metro. For residents of the City of Saint Paul, that rose to 87%! Only 8% of respondents thought affordable housing was not at all a significant issue2.
Our Commitment to Housing
We stand with many people and organizations working toward a future where families and future generations of Minnesotans can live and thrive by making stable housing affordable.
Our Senior Vice President of Community Impact Alfonso Wenker shares more about our commitment to this work.
How We Invest in Housing
Grantmaking
Grantmaking is one of the primary ways we support stable housing. Through our largest application-based grant program, we have made 155 grants totaling $5 million to 80 organizations in the Housing & Transportation category over the past five years.
grants
granted
organizations
Emergency Grant Program
The Community Sharing Fund provides emergency grants to families facing short-term financial setbacks. In 2024, this Fund granted $435,000 into the community – and 90% of grants were for housing-related needs.
Loans
We invest in impact-first and market-rate loans to complement our traditional grantmaking. These investments provide capital to preserve and maintain housing across the continuum.
Donor-led Impact Investments
Through the Minnesota Community Investment Fund, our donor advised fundholders and the Foundation came together in 2022 to invest more than $1.1 million to preserve Twin Cities real estate for community benefit.
Donor-led Grants
Our fundholders care deeply about many issues, and housing is a top concern. Over the last five years, our donor advised fundholders have recommended hundreds of grants to housing initiatives and nonprofits:
grants
granted
housing organizations
Advocacy
Because housing is one of our top priorities, we advocate for specific policies and bills that affect the lives of Minnesotans. This includes work across the entire continuum, from emergency housing to affordable housing, and at the local and state level.
In a recent article in MinnPost about Saint Paul’s housing policies, Senior Vice President of Community Impact Alfonso Wenker wrote, “We’ve seen again and again that Saint Paul is a place where people come together to solve hard problems. Housing is no exception.”3
Partnerships & Collaborations
Additionally, we partner with philanthropic, nonprofit and government organizations on key community initiatives like:
- Heading Home Minnesota Funders Collaborative
- Heading Home Ramsey County
- Groundbreak Coalition
Spotlight on Community-led Solutions
Read about some of the many nonprofits working across the housing continuum.
Mni Sota Fund
Mni Sota Fund is committed building Indigenous wealth. It is one of three accredited Native Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) in the state.
To address the barriers to homeownership faced by Native families in Minnesota, this nonprofit launched the Mni Sota Mortgage Company — a groundbreaking initiative that provides culturally relevant and accessible mortgage solutions and contributes to an increase in the local Native homeownership rate.
Mni Sota Fund
Emma's Place provides supportive housing for families in Maplewood
Emma Norton Services
Emma Norton Services serves approximately 300 individuals who have experienced homelessness each year.
The nonprofit provides safe and affordable housing and wrap-around support services.
Inspiring Generosity
Fundholders Tanya and Lee volunteering with Habitat for Humanity
Tanya and Lee
Tanya and Lee have traveled the world to volunteer building houses with Habitat for Humanity. As long-time donors and volunteers with Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity, they see firsthand the challenges many people face to maintain affordable housing.
Since opening a donor advised fund with the Foundation in 2020, they use their fund to support Habitat and other housing organizations. They also enjoy involving their three adult daughters in their giving.
Convening Minnesota Experts on Affordable Housing
The Foundation recently gathered a panel of Minnesota’s housing experts to share information with donor advised fundholders and staff at a Giving+Together event.
The panelists discussed how crucial stable housing is and explored the intertwined influences of race and economics on housing security.
Panelists at our Giving+Together event
Inspired to Make a Difference?
Here are four ways you can support homes for all Minnesotans.
- Explore the research. Read up-to-date statistics on homelessness, housing affordability, housing shortages and more from these credible sources:
- East Metro Pulse
- Minnesota Housing Partnership
- MN Compass
- National Low Income Housing Coalition
- Wilder Research
- Donate. Nonprofits provide services across the housing continuum, from emergency shelter to preserving naturally occurring affordable housing. Find nonprofits the Foundation has granted to or donate to the Community Sharing Fund. 90% of these emergency grants go toward housing-related expenses. If you’re a fundholder with the Foundation, contact your relationship manager for personalized giving guidance.
- Volunteer. Find volunteer opportunities on Catchafire or HandsOn Twin Cities.
- Advocate. Through coalitions like Homes for All, you can advocate for policies to ensure every Minnesotan has a safe and affordable home. The Minnesota Coalition for the Homeless organizes the annual Homeless Day on the Hill at the Minnesota State Capitol.
Sources
1Norton, Gabriela. Minnesota Housing Partnership. State of the State’s Housing 2024.
2East Metro Pulse. 2024.
3Wenker, Alfonso. “A thoughtful path for housing stability in St. Paul.” MinnPost, May 1, 2025.