Investing in Community-Led Solutions
We offer a variety of grant opportunities to support nonprofits meeting the diverse community needs across the region.
Building Community Capacity
Our Building Community Capacity grants are responsive to community-identified priorities in the East Metro (Dakota, Ramsey and Washington counties).
Funding in six areas of community vitality:
- Community connectedness
- Economic opportunity and security
- Education
- Health
- Housing and transportation
- Human services and family support
Community Sharing Fund
Community Sharing Fund provides emergency grants to individuals and families in crisis in partnership with nonprofit agencies and case workers serving residents of the East Metro (Dakota, Ramsey or Washington counties).
Management Improvement Fund
Management Improvement Fund provides grants to small to midsize nonprofit organizations in Minnesota to expand organizational capacity, improve management capabilities to better serve the community, and nurture Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC) leadership in the nonprofit sector.
East Metro Main Street Economic Revitalization Program
Our East Metro Main Street Economic Revitalization Program supports businesses and nonprofit organizations in the Snelling-University-Rice Cultural District, the East Side community and along West Seventh Street.
J.C. & L.A. Duke Employees' Assistance Fund
The J.C. & L.A. Duke Employees’ Assistance Fund offers grants to current and retired 3M employees and their families who have experienced a financial hardship as a result of a catastrophic illness or accident.
Katherine B. Andersen Fund
This permanent fund honors Katherine B. Andersen’s legacy as a visionary donor and community builder. A significant portion of the KBA Fund will be allocated through the Foundation’s Building Community Capacity grant program.
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 their unique funding and grant priorities. Grant rounds for these foundations are the same as the Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation Building Community Capacity grants and use the same grant application portal. Learn more about these partner 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.
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You can be part of making this work possible. Join our community of donors!