The Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation, F. R. Bigelow Foundation and Mardag Foundation (the Foundations) today announced that, together and independently, they have awarded more than $8 million to Minnesota nonprofits in their first round of 2024 grantmaking. Grants will provide funding resources for community organizations that provide critical resources to Minnesotans across the state. Many grants support the arts, embrace culture and cultural differences to grow and restore our communities. These organizations also address a variety of concerns including navigating the criminal justice system, the US school system, immigrant communities and preserving Indigenous practices and traditions.
“Our state is overflowing with bold and imaginative community-led solutions,” said Senior Director or Community Impact Tsega Tamene. “We are excited to partner more deeply with nonprofits meeting the moment and multiplying their impact every day.”
The Following Organizations Were Among the Most Recent Grant Recipients:
- Conexiones was awarded $25,000 by Mardag Foundation to support their general operating efforts. It’s vision is to build stronger, more united communities and is the sole organization dedicated to supporting Latino immigrants in Stevens and Swift Counties, through four focus areas: a) relocation services for immigrants; b) health services and well-being education; c) partnerships with local schools to help families navigate the local school system; and d) community and cultural activities.
- Bear Paws Cultural Art was awarded a $50,000 capital grant by Mardag Foundation to invest in their mobile operation. Based in Hinckley, Minnesota, Bear Paws Cultural Art provides traditional and contemporary Native American art classes that are free and open to the public. Its projects have included Ojibwe Pucker Toe Moccasins, Hand Painted Leather Belts, Regalia Bells, Ribbon Skirts, Ribbon Shirts, Beaded Earrings, Hand Drums and Drumsticks and Ceremonial Blankets. It has plans for dozens of other classes including birchbark canoes, frybread making, Ojibwe storytelling and wigwam construction.
- Mendota Mdewakanton Dakota Tribal Community was awarded $31,000 by F. R. Bigelow Foundation, $30,000 by Mardag Foundation and $29,000 by the Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation for general operating purposes. The Mendota Mdewakanton Dakota Tribal Community (MMDTC) is a Tribal organization with a mission to preserve, protect and promote Dakota culture for future generations. The organization offers in-person and online courses on Dakota language, traditional arts and crafts taught by Minnesota’s Dakota elders with goal to preserve cultural skills within Native American families and educate non-Native Minnesotans about Dakota language, culture and history.
We offer two grant rounds a year. Our second grant round of 2024 opens on July 15, 2024, and closes Aug. 7, 2024.