The following funding goal areas apply only to Community Grants (see below).

The Connections grantmaking program does not have specific funding goal areas, due to the varied interests of our donors. All Twin Cities organizations -- whether they're focused on the arts, the environment, direct service, or any other issue or approach -- are invited to apply for funding through the Connections Grantmaking program. (Please note, however, that grants are generally awarded for special projects/programs only.)

Each Request for Proposal addresses a different topic or issue.

If you have further questions, please contact us at (612) 672-3836 or grants@mplsfoundation.org.

Community Grants
Supporting Policy and Systems Change Activities

The Minneapolis Foundation's Community Grants support efforts to improve systems and policies to address poverty, underachievement, and injustice. We focus on these broader efforts in order to serve the greatest number of people and have long-term impact. We do not fund direct service activities.

Samples of systems and policy work may include:

• public policy advocacy
• public awareness
• community organizing
• interagency collaboration
• governmental system reform

While we focus our support in the following issue areas -- paying special attention to activities that address an intersection of issues -- we fund approaches and outcomes, rather than categories. Please contact us to discuss whether your organization and activities might be eligible to apply for Community Grants.

Affordable Housing

The Minneapolis Foundation supports systems change and policy efforts that will result in safe, decent, affordable housing for all Minnesotans. Sample activities may include:

• organizing and training low-income Minnesotans and others affected by the affordable housing shortage to advocate on their own behalf
• promoting accountability of local, regional, state, and federal governmental agencies to ensure both commitment and follow-through on housing creation and preservation
• educating and engaging the public on the need for increased investment in affordable housing

Economic Opportunity

The Minneapolis Foundation supports systems change and policy efforts that will result in increased economic opportunities and advancement for disadvantaged Minnesotans and distressed Minnesota communities. Sample activities may include:

• increasing entrepreneurship and business start-ups in economically depressed neighborhoods and regions
• stimulating economic equity for low-income communities and communities of color
• promoting balanced and equitable regional growth approaches that link between transportation, jobs, housing, and education

Educational Achievement

The Minneapolis Foundation supports systems change and policy efforts to ensure access to quality education for all Minnesota children and strengthen the public school system. Sample activities may include:

• promoting changes within existing public school systems that address documented disparities in academic performance, attendance, graduation rates, and suspension rates
• creating public awareness of the challenges in funding public education and sustaining school and teacher leadership

Health and Well-being of Children, Youth, and Families

The Minneapolis Foundation supports systems change and policy efforts to increase opportunities for low-income and disadvantaged children, youth and families, particularly communities of color. Sample activities may include:

• promoting social justice and human rights by addressing disparities and other inequities in service delivery and funding of public programs
• educating the public on disparities in health, education, and other quality of life areas and on the benefits of addressing these issues at the earliest possible age
• addressing the needs of new immigrants, refugees, and migrant populations in accessing systems and community supports
• identifying and documenting emerging needs of underrepresented and disenfranchised groups

Preferred Strategies and Approaches

Preference is given to requests for funding that use one or more of the following approaches with clear and measurable results:

• improves the quality of life for the most disadvantaged Minnesotans
• focuses on equity and social justice
• addresses the structural causes behind key issues
• leads to long-term, sustainable solutions
• builds on community strengths, including cultural, racial, and ethnic diversity
• pursues policy change to solve critical needs or increase opportunities
• involves key constituencies in program creation and implementation
• has clear and measurable program results
• eliminates gaps and redundancies in services and systems
• increases system responsiveness, efficiency and capacity to serve constituents

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Connections Grants
Connecting Donors with the Causes They Care About

Twin Cities organizations who are ineligible for our Community Grants are invited to apply for funding through our Connections Grantmaking program.

Connections is a service of The Minneapolis Foundation by which we connect our donors with organizations and activities that match their charitable interests. Due to the varied interests of our donors, there are no predetermined issues or activities eligible for the Connections Grantmaking program. All Twin Cities organizations -- whether they're focused on the arts, the environment, direct service, or any other issue or approach -- are invited to apply. (Note that grants are awarded for special projects only.)

Requests for Proposals
Special Funding Opportunities

On average The Minneapolis Foundation issues at least one Request for Proposals (RFP) per quarter. The topic and approach vary by RFP. Our most recent RFPs have funded: efforts to close the digital divide; services to blind and vision-impaired Minnesotans; summer camp scholarships; and planning grants for senior-serving organizations.