Grant Guidelines

Funding Priorities

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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.

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.

Please note that the Foundation has not historically supported specific productions, performances, exhibits, artist fees, and the like through this application-based process.

Types of Grants

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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).

Program Support

These grants are designed to provide support to a program or project serving 50% or more East Metro or Greater Minnesota residents. The Foundation will consider proposals for established and/or new programs/projects.

Any organization is eligible for this type of grant (regardless of overall geographic focus), but the project or program must serve 50% or more East Metro and/or Greater Minnesota residents. Priority will be given to organizations based in Minnesota.

Capital Projects

The Foundation supports capital projects located in the East Metro or Greater Minnesota with 50% or more of services from that facility benefiting 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.