Community Emergency Grant Program
Mardag Foundation provides grants in the East Metro and Greater Minnesota to support community-driven solutions to emergent needs.
Program Overview
The goal of our Community Emergency Grant Program is to support community-driven solutions to emergent needs in the East Metro and Greater Minnesota.
We offer one-time emergency grants to Food Access or Housing organizations that serve low-income children, youth, families and/or older adults, when those organizations are filling unexpected financial gaps in response to:
- Natural, environmental and/or civic disasters
- Unexpected maintenance or repairs for buildings, vehicles, technology and/or equipment
Eligibility
- An organization can only receive one Community Emergency grant at a time from Mardag Foundation and must wait a full calendar year before being eligible for another
- Priority will be given to organizations that have not received a grant from this grant program in the last 18 months
- 501(c)3 nonprofits, government entities, educational institutions, groups with an eligible fiscal sponsor
- Demonstrated commitment to the geography served with preference for organizations based in Minnesota
While an organization may be eligible to apply, attention and preference will be given to organizations:
- Addressing disparities and/or creating more equitable outcomes for communities experiencing marginalization due to race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, age, ability or geography
- Establishing a clear connection to the Informs, Forms, Benefits framework, which states that those experiencing barriers should not only benefit from the work we support, but inform, form, and lead it as well
Geography
Mardag Foundation makes grants to nonprofit organizations and public entities located within and serving residents of Minnesota. Our geographic focus is the East Metro (Dakota, Ramsey and Washington counties), as well as Greater Minnesota.
Grant Requests Not Accepted
Mardag Foundation will not consider grant requests for support of organizations exclusively serving Minneapolis and the surrounding West Metro area, or proposals to replace a loss in government funding.
Funding Priorities
Our Community Emergency Grant Program will only consider proposals from Food Access or Housing organizations that serve low-income children, youth, families and/or older adults in the East Metro or Greater Minnesota, filling an unexpected emergency financial gap in response to:
- Natural, environmental and/or civic disasters
- Unexpected maintenance or repairs for buildings, vehicles, technology and/or equipment
Two-thirds of the Community Emergency Program funding will be allocated to Greater Minnesota, with the remaining one-third allocated to the East Metro.
Grants Team
If you are interested in submitting a request for this program, email Derek Taylor to ensure that the grant program fits your needs.
Grant Details
One-time emergency support of $2,500 to $20,000 per grant depending on the need. Grant periods will not exceed one year.
$250,000 is available for this grant program in 2026.
Current & Past Grant Status
Current grantees are eligible for funding. Please contact a member of our Grants Team with questions.
How to Apply
Step 1: Review Grant Guidelines
Familiarize yourself with the eligibility criteria and funding priorities for this grant program.
Step 2: Talk to the Grants Team
All interested applicants are encouraged to contact Derek Taylor to ensure that the grant program fits your needs.
Step 3: Review Application Materials
Review required application materials and instructions on how to apply. See details specific to the Community Emergency Grant Program in Step 4 below.
View Grant Application Resources
Step 4: Register and Apply
This grant program does not require applicants to register for GranteeView to apply for a grant. There is no formal application process for this program. Requests for funding are accepted on a rolling basis via email. If you are interested in submitting a request for this program, email Derek Taylor .
Step 5: Stay Connected
Whether or not your organization is selected for a grant opportunity, we want to stay connected. Our Grants Team is always excited to connect with community partners.