Nonprofit Grant Opportunities
The Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation invests in community-led solutions by offering a variety of grant opportunities to support nonprofits meeting diverse community needs across the East Metro and statewide.
Reimagining Our Grant Programs
Beginning in 2026, the Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation and our partners F. R. Bigelow Foundation and Mardag Foundation will make grants using two new application processes for grantseekers. View our grant redesign hub for the latest information, and see below for more grant opportunities.
Grant Programs
Featured Grants
Rolling application
The Fund provides emergency grants to East Metro individuals and families in crisis in partnership with nonprofit agencies and case workers.
Key Eligibility Criteria
- East Metro (Dakota, Washington or Ramsey county) residents
- Applications submitted by caseworkers
- Verifiable emergency needs
Key Eligibility Criteria
- East Metro (Dakota, Washington or Ramsey county) residents
- Applications submitted by caseworkers
- Verifiable emergency needs
Rolling application
The Fund provides grants of up to $15,000 to expand organizational capacity, improve management capabilities and nurture BIPOC leadership.
Key Eligibility Criteria
- Minnesota
- Organizations with an operating budget of $5 million or less
Key Eligibility Criteria
- Minnesota
- Organizations with an operating budget of $5 million or less
Other Grant Programs
Applications accepted: January 2026
The statewide program seeks to design, test and spread ideas and inspire, equip and connect people through meaningful, community-led change.
Key Eligibility Criteria
- Greater Minnesota, Twin Cities Metro Area and Native-led, Native-serving organizations
Key Eligibility Criteria
- Greater Minnesota, Twin Cities Metro Area and Native-led, Native-serving organizations
Applications accepted: Spring 2026
The Bush Prize identifies and honors extraordinary organizations that consistently engage and lead their community toward creative solutions.
Key Eligibility Criteria
- Minnesota
- Grant can be used for any charitable purposes in the state
Key Eligibility Criteria
- Minnesota
- Grant can be used for any charitable purposes in the state
Applications accepted: May 5-22, 2025
Grants emphasize efforts created and led by communities impacted by the short- and long-term effects brought on by federal shifts.
Key Eligibility Criteria
- Minnesota
- Organizations and coalitions with program budgets of $3 million or less
Key Eligibility Criteria
- Minnesota
- Organizations and coalitions with program budgets of $3 million or less
Rolling application
The Fund offers grants to 3M employees who have experienced a financial hardship as a result of a catastrophic illness or accident.
Key Eligibility Criteria
- Active or retired employees of 3M U.S.A. or a surviving immediate family member
Key Eligibility Criteria
- Active or retired employees of 3M U.S.A. or a surviving immediate family member
Partner Foundations
F. R. Bigelow Foundation and Mardag Foundation are partner foundations of the Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation. As partner foundations, their grant programs are administered by Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation staff.
F. R. Bigelow Foundation and Mardag Foundation each have unique funding priorities, eligibility and geographic focus areas. Only organizations invited to apply will be eligible for these grant programs in 2025. Learn more about these foundations' grant opportunities.
F. R. Bigelow Foundation seeks to enhance the quality of life for all in the greater Saint Paul area, fostering a vibrant East Metro region.
The Mardag Foundation supports Minnesota nonprofits to remove barriers and create opportunities for low-income or traditionally marginalized children, youth and families; older adults with barriers to living independently; and to build the capacity of organizations supporting the arts and humanities.