Nonprofit Grant Opportunities
The Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation invests in community-led solutions by offering a variety of grant opportunities across the East Metro and communities statewide.
Grant Opportunities
Grant Programs
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
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
Rolling application opens January 2026
Responsive grants focused on: Community & Economic Development; Health & Human Services; and Youth & Education.
Key Eligibility Criteria
- East Metro
- 501(c)3 nonprofits, government entities, educational institutions, groups with an eligible fiscal sponsor
Key Eligibility Criteria
- East Metro
- 501(c)3 nonprofits, government entities, educational institutions, groups with an eligible fiscal sponsor
January 2026
Multi-year grants focused on cultivating a sustainable, thriving and resilient arts ecosystem.
Key Eligibility Criteria
- East Metro or Greater Minnesota
- 501(c)3, 501(c)4 and 501(c)6 nonprofits, government entities, educational institutions, groups with an eligible fiscal sponsor
Key Eligibility Criteria
- East Metro or Greater Minnesota
- 501(c)3, 501(c)4 and 501(c)6 nonprofits, government entities, educational institutions, groups with an eligible fiscal sponsor
January 2026
Multi-year grants focused on organizing that builds power, narrative, leaders and infrastructure for lasting change.
Key Eligibility Criteria
- East Metro or Greater Minnesota
- 501(c)3, 501(c)4 and 501(c)6 nonprofits, government entities, educational institutions, groups with an eligible fiscal sponsor
Key Eligibility Criteria
- East Metro or Greater Minnesota
- 501(c)3, 501(c)4 and 501(c)6 nonprofits, government entities, educational institutions, groups with an eligible fiscal sponsor
Late 2026
Multi-year grants focused on systems change and/or direct service work to eliminate barriers and increase access to housing.
Key Eligibility Criteria
- East Metro or Greater Minnesota
- 501(c)3 and 501(c)4 nonprofits, government entities, educational institutions, groups with an eligible fiscal sponsor
Key Eligibility Criteria
- East Metro or Greater Minnesota
- 501(c)3 and 501(c)4 nonprofits, government entities, educational institutions, groups with an eligible fiscal sponsor
Rolling requests accepted beginning January 2026
Emergency one-time grants to fill unexpected financial gaps for Food Access or Housing organizations that serve low-income people.
Key Eligibility Criteria
- East Metro or Greater Minnesota
- 501(c)3 nonprofits, government entities, educational institutions, groups with an eligible fiscal sponsor
Key Eligibility Criteria
- East Metro or Greater Minnesota
- 501(c)3 nonprofits, government entities, educational institutions, groups with an eligible fiscal sponsor
January 2026
Multi-year grants to fund systems change and/or direct service work to eliminate barriers and increase food access.
Key Eligibility Criteria
- East Metro or Greater Minnesota
- 501(c)3 nonprofits, government entities, educational institutions, groups with an eligible fiscal sponsor serving low-income immigrant/refugee or Native American/Indigenous children, youth and families
Key Eligibility Criteria
- East Metro or Greater Minnesota
- 501(c)3 nonprofits, government entities, educational institutions, groups with an eligible fiscal sponsor serving low-income immigrant/refugee or Native American/Indigenous children, youth and families
Rolling application opens January 2026
Responsive grants focused on: Arts & Culture; Community & Economic Development; Health; Human Services; and Youth & Education.
Key Eligibility Criteria
- East Metro
- 501(c)3 nonprofits, government entities, educational institutions, groups with an eligible fiscal sponsor
Key Eligibility Criteria
- East Metro
- 501(c)3 nonprofits, government entities, educational institutions, groups with an eligible fiscal sponsor
Late 2026
Multi-year grants support organizations, programs and initiatives focused on advancing BIPOC leadership in the region.
Key Eligibility Criteria
- East Metro
- 501(c)3 nonprofits, government entities, educational institutions, groups with an eligible fiscal sponsor
Key Eligibility Criteria
- East Metro
- 501(c)3 nonprofits, government entities, educational institutions, groups with an eligible fiscal sponsor
January 2026
Multi-year grants focused on adapting, transforming and/or disrupting systems to achieve more equitable results.
Key Eligibility Criteria
- East Metro
- 501(c)3 nonprofits, government entities, educational institutions, groups with an eligible fiscal sponsor
Key Eligibility Criteria
- East Metro
- 501(c)3 nonprofits, government entities, educational institutions, groups with an eligible fiscal sponsor
Grant Redesign Hub
Beginning in 2026, the Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation and our partners F. R. Bigelow Foundation and Mardag Foundation will launch several new grant programs for grantseekers. View our grant redesign hub to learn more about the approach that led us here.