Grant Guidelines
Enhancing quality of life, inspiring learning, revitalizing communities and promoting access to the arts across the state of Minnesota is our family’s legacy – past, present and future.
A Complete
Guide
This section includes our program overview and geography, funding priorities, eligibility, the types of grants we fund, and how to apply.
Program Overview
Mardag Foundation believes that our community should not only benefit from our work, but inform and form it as well. Creating solutions to today’s issues requires a collaborative approach. Our work is also rooted in a commitment to racial equity.
Along with our partners the Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation and F. R. Bigelow Foundation, throughout 2024 we engaged in a community-informed process to redesign our grant program.
Beginning in 2026, Mardag Foundation will make grants using new application processes and updated funding priorities. We anticipate posting detailed guidelines and application information late in 2025 with the first applications due and grants made in early 2026. View more on our grant redesign page.
2025 Transitional Grant Rounds
To create the capacity our staff needs to operationalize these changes, Mardag Foundation will implement two transitional grant rounds in 2025. Our Grants Team will contact organizations to apply in 2025. We will not have an open application round in 2025.
Organizations that applied for and/or received grants in 2022, 2023 or 2024 may be invited to apply for a transitional grant. Only organizations invited to apply will be eligible for this grant program in 2025.
In the first transitional grant round of 2025, Mardag Foundation awarded $1.5 million in grants to 48 organizations.
Beginning in June 2025, our team will identify any additional organizations that will be invited to apply for a second round of transitional grants. Simplified applications will be submitted in September 2025. These grants will be approved by November 2025.
For the 2025 transitional grants, our general focus areas remain unchanged. We will offer general operating, program/project, and capital grants in three focus areas: Children, youth and families; older adults; and arts & culture.
Funding Priorities
Mardag Foundation has three focus areas and will consider proposals that address one or more of the following:
Improving the lives of low-income Children, Youth and Families that lack access to critical opportunities and resources that they need
Mardag Foundation seeks to support organizations focused on eliminating barriers and increasing access to equitable opportunities for children, youth and families.
Priority will be given to organizations working with marginalized communities (especially Black, Indigenous and communities of color) at the intersections of education, basic needs, mental health, access to healthcare, pathways to employment, and stable and affordable housing.
Supporting older adults across Minnesota who lack access or have barriers to critical opportunities to thrive and create community connections
Mardag Foundation supports organizations directly serving low-income older adults who may also be experiencing other forms of marginality (e.g., Black, Indigenous, and People of Color, people with disabilities, members of the LGBTQIA+ community, etc.).
Priorities include meeting basic needs, improving the well-being and quality of caregiving, addressing isolation and mental health issues, services to help older Minnesotans age in place and/or in safe and stable housing, and intergenerational programming.
Beginning in 2026 organizations serving older adults will only be eligible in our Responsive grants priority. View more about our 2026 grant program changes.
Building capacity to improve community vitality through Arts & Culture
Mardag Foundation shares Grantmakers in the Arts’ view that “all peoples, their cultures, and their art contribute to the meaning and understanding of our humanity and should be honored and celebrated.”
Priority will be given to arts and culture organizations that seek to amplify narratives and voices across BIPOC communities and other communities experiencing marginalization (e.g., older adults, people with disabilities, low-income children/youth/families, members of the LGBTQIA+ community, etc.) through the arts.
Beginning in 2026, the Foundation will move away from its Arts & Culture priority. 2025 will be the last year of funding in this priority area. For information on transitional grants for Arts & Culture organizations, please reach out to Sharon DeMark at Sharon.DeMark@spmcf.org. View more about our 2026 grant program changes.
Geography
Mardag Foundation makes grants to nonprofit organizations and public entities located within and serving residents of Minnesota. The geographic focus of our grantmaking is the East Metro area of Dakota, Ramsey and Washington counties, as well as Greater Minnesota.
Grant Application Resources
Grant resources include key dates and instructions on how to register for and use GranteeView, our grant application portal.
Grants Team
You are welcome to email a member of our Grants Team. The Grants Team is available to discuss your grant eligibility and answer your questions.
Eligibility
Grants can be made to 501(c)3 organizations, education or governmental units and religious institutions.
Only organizations invited to apply will be eligible for this grant program in 2025. Attention and preference will be given to organizations:
- Prioritizing people experiencing the most marginalization, especially due to race, ethnicity, gender identity or sexual orientation, age, ability, immigration status, etc.
- Where work is informed, formed and led by the people most impacted by it.
The Foundation will not consider grant support for:
- Organizations using fiscal sponsors
- Organizations exclusively serving Minneapolis and the surrounding West Metro area
- Scholarships and grants to individuals
- Sectarian religious programs or organizations
- Federated campaigns
- Events and conferences
- Capital campaigns of private secondary schools
- Capital and endowment campaigns of private colleges and universities
Current & Past Grant Status
Current grantees are eligible for funding that would begin after the end of their current grant period. Nonprofits that have received three years of consecutive funding are eligible for a grant. Please contact a member of our Grants Team with questions.
Types of Grants
We will consider grant applications for:
General Operating Support
These grants provide flexible funding for nonprofits in which at least 50% of the organization’s services benefit residents in the East Metro and/or Greater Minnesota. Any organization meeting this threshold is eligible for general operating support (including organizations that have never previously received support from Mardag Foundation).
Capital Projects
Capital projects must be located in Greater Minnesota or the East Metro AND 50% or more of all services provided by the entire organization must benefit Greater Minnesota and/or East Metro (Washington, Dakota and Ramsey counties) residents.
Grants are designed to support investment in buildings, facilities and equipment. Foundation investments are typically limited to buildings owned by nonprofits or held by long-term lease agreement. These grants are generally paid over multiple years.
Program/Project Grants
These grants provide funding for programs/projects serving 50% or more East Metro and/or Greater Minnesota residents.
Any organization is eligible for this type of grant, regardless of overall geographic focus.
How to Apply
In 2025, organizations that applied for and/or received grants in 2022, 2023 or 2024 may be invited to apply for a transitional grant.
1. Talk to the Grants Team
The Grants team will work with identified organizations to submit a simplified application.
2. Find Application Materials
Review grant round dates and other materials to help you apply.
3. Register and Apply
All grant applicants must register for GranteeView to apply for a grant. Registration is open now and registration instructions are available.