Organizations must meet the following criteria to be eligible.
If you learn that you are not eligible, please do not submit a Letter of Inquiry (LOI).
- Must have IRS Tax-Exempt Status
- tax-exempt status under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code
- organize and operate for charitable purposes
- Must serve the geographic locations we support
- serve communities in the counties we serve
- requests for counties other than those listed where we do our work are by invitation only
- Work in our focus areas
- Education (including scholarships)
- Human services
- Health and medicine
- Addiction and substance abuse recovery
- Biomedical research
- Debt retirement
- Endowments
- Environmental causes
- For-profit businesses
- Government agencies
- Hospice care
- Individuals (except through our scholarship programs)
- Labor organizations
- Lobbying, advocacy, or political campaigns
- Mental health providers other than those focusing on prevention and early intervention services for children and adolescents
- Neurodegenerative diseases
- Performing and fine arts organizations
- Publicly funded K-12 schools except for charter schools
- Sectarian religious causes
- Special events or conferences
- Sports or athletic organizations
- Disease-specific organizations
- Mental health prevention and early intervention services for children and adolescents
- Higher education and post-secondary institutions
- Individual, high-performing private and charter K-12 schools
- Organizations outside of our geographic priority areas
If you have not received an invitation from the Foundation as described in the bullet points above, please do not start or submit an LOI or application.
- Apply only once a year
- we have two funding cycles each year – you may apply for funding only once a year
- if you submitted an LOI in the spring, you must wait until the next year’s spring cycle to submit an LOI again
These counties in Minnesota and Florida remain important to the family.
While we fund some national programs, our priority is to invest in these counties.
- Anoka
- Carver
- Dakota
- Hennepin
- Ramsey
- Scott
- Washington
- Charlotte
- Collier
- Glades
- Hendry
- Lee
We partner with efficient, results-oriented organizations that are focused on measurable results in three areas.
- Adult Education and Workforce Development Programs and Services.
Programs and services focused on leadership, professional development, workforce development, and employment training that expand an adult’s knowledge in a particular field or discipline. - Early Childhood Programs and Services.
Educational programs that provide a learning foundation, engagement in early learning, and brain development programming for children aged birth to five years old. - Scholarship and Financial Support.
Financial help that students need to meet their educational expenses while in school. - Special Education.
Individualized programming, instruction, and support services for gifted and disabled children and youth, modified curricula, teaching methodologies, or instructional materials to learn. - Youth Education Programs and Services.
Classroom support, after-school tutoring, and instruction for school-aged students that enhance formal education, semi-skilled, skilled, technical, or professional post-secondary programs for college-aged students.
- Children’s and Family Services.
Services that promote a child’s well-being — childcare, adoption, foster care, family counseling, and parenting education that strengthen their families. - Disability and Special Needs Services.
Individual and group support and advocacy for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, services that promote self-determination, employment, connection, and involvement in community life. - Domestic Abuse.
Domestic violence support and prevention programs that address the needs of individuals and families experiencing domestic violence and work that helps prevent the (re)occurrence of these situations. - Food Banks, Food Pantries, and Food Distribution.
Hunger relief in communities. - Homeless, Shelter & Crisis Services.
Help for individuals and families who experience homelessness, programs that increase housing stability through direct interventions, basic needs, and advocacy. - Housing.
Placement into permanent, supportive, or transitional housing and services that promote housing stability, rental or utility help, landlord-tenant mediation, eviction prevention, affordable housing unit development, or preserving existing affordable housing units. - Mental Health.
By invitation only, prevention and early intervention needs of children and adolescents experiencing mental health issues. - Multipurpose Human Service Organizations.
Direct services to the communities served such as YMCAs, YWCAs, Red Cross, and Salvation Army. - Youth Development.
Outside-of-school activities that promote the ongoing development and growth of youth, activities that connect them to caring adults and mentors, and camping experiences for young people.
- Diseases, Disorders, and Disciplines.
Direct services that promote medical disciplines or advocate for public understanding and support. - Patient and Family Support.
Wish-granting programs and camps for individuals diagnosed with a specific disease/disorder, financial help with housing, travel expenses because of a life-limiting illness, grief support services, or other health-related support for patients at various life stages. - Treatment and Prevention Services.
Medical service and education on ways to prevent disease and reduce health risks.
Studies and re-evaluation of support for certain types of medical research are underway. We have an emerging interest in regenerative medicine and stem cell research. We support proposals in biomedical research by invitation only.