Imagine a single seed with the power to grow a forest, this is how the Mardag Foundation approaches its grants, seeding organizations that nurture low-income children, youth, families, and older adults in Minnesota’s most underserved areas.
By focusing on racial equity and supporting marginalized communities, especially in the East Metro and Greater Minnesota, Mardag strategically invites select organizations for transitional grants in 2025, ensuring resources flow where they can create the deepest impact. What does this shift mean for nonprofits aiming to access these essential funds?
Key Takeaways
- Mardag Foundation targets low-income children, youth, families, and older adults.
- Focus on racial equity and marginalized communities in Minnesota.
- Eligible organizations include 501(c)(3) and governmental units.
- Grants support general operations, capital projects, and community programs.
- Collaborates with foundations for streamlined grant processes.
Program Overview and Funding Priorities
Mardag Foundation directs its grantmaking toward improving the lives of low-income children, youth, families, and older adults who face persistent barriers to opportunity and community engagement. Their work places a strong emphasis on advancing racial equity and supporting marginalized communities, including programs led by churches, community charities, and organizations serving disabled people.
Community engagement strategies sit at the heart of their approach. By elevating community-informed solutions, the foundation ensures that funded initiatives reflect real needs and drive meaningful, lasting change. Their evaluation criteria consistently prioritize breaking down barriers, expanding equitable access to essential resources, and strengthening overall community vitality.
Beginning in 2026, the foundation will transition away from funding Arts & Culture, redirecting its focus toward initiatives that build stronger, more connected communities. Updated grant application processes will mirror this shift, supporting organizations that deliver measurable impact where it’s needed most.
Eligibility Requirements for Grant Applicants
You need to be a 501(c)(3) organization, an educational or governmental unit, or a religious institution invited to apply for the 2025 Mardag Foundation grants.
Your work must focus on prioritized geographic areas within Minnesota and align with populations the Foundation emphasizes, especially marginalized groups.
Note that fiscal sponsors and those serving only Minneapolis are excluded, so your eligibility depends on meeting these specific criteria and registering through the GranteeView portal.
Eligible Organization Types
Although eligibility for the 2025 Mardag Foundation grant program is by invitation only, you can expect grants to be available primarily to 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations, educational or governmental units, and religious institutions.
These organization types align with the foundation’s strict grant eligibility criteria, focusing on groups that serve local residents in the East Metro and Greater Minnesota.
Fiscal sponsors and organizations serving only Minneapolis are excluded, while preference is given to those prioritizing marginalized populations.
You can pursue various grant types—General Operating Support, Capital Projects, or Program/Project Grants—each requiring alignment with the foundation’s geographic and mission focus.
Geographic Service Focus
Many successful grant applicants focus their efforts on serving communities located in the East Metro and Greater Minnesota regions, reflecting the foundation’s clear geographic eligibility requirements.
This focus maximizes grant impact by ensuring resources are directed towards enhancing community engagement and liveliness locally.
When you apply for a Mardag Foundation grant, consider the following key service areas:
- Targeting underserved communities in the East Metro area
- Expanding services in Greater Minnesota
- Engaging marginalized populations
- Improving community liveliness through strategic initiatives
- Ensuring 50% of services benefit these regions
Populations Prioritized
Mardag Foundation grants prioritize organizations serving marginalized groups, particularly low-income people, children, youth, families, and seniors who face barriers to essential opportunities and meaningful community connections. Their focus extends to households experiencing unique challenges, including single fathers working to secure stability and long-term wellbeing for their families.
Your efforts should center on eliminating barriers and expanding equitable access to education, healthcare, housing, and employment. The Foundation places strong emphasis on initiatives that strengthen community connections, promote inclusion, and improve overall quality of life.
If your organization serves these populations in East Metro or Greater Minnesota—and operates as a 501(c)(3), educational institution, governmental entity, or religious organization—you’re aligned with Mardag’s mission and eligible to apply. Preference is given to organizations addressing broader geographic needs outside the Minneapolis core, ensuring support reaches communities with fewer resources and higher levels of unmet need.
Types of Grants Offered
When you seek funding from Mardag Foundation, you’ll find three main types of grants tailored to support your organization’s diverse needs: General Operating Support grants, which provide flexible operational funding to cover expenses; Capital Projects grants, targeted toward investments in buildings and equipment; and Program/Project Grants, designated for initiatives making a substantive community impact in the East Metro or Greater Minnesota.
Key features include:
- Flexible operational funding for general operations
- Investments in infrastructure for growth
- Initiatives enhancing community impact
- Focus on low-income and marginalized communities
- Geographic focus on East Metro and Greater Minnesota
Geographic Focus and Beneficiary Populations
Although your organization may serve broader regions, Mardag Foundation concentrates its resources on nonprofits operating within the East Metro counties of Dakota, Ramsey, and Washington, as well as throughout Greater Minnesota.
The foundation’s geographic focus is essential in addressing community needs effectively. It employs funding strategies that prioritize low-income children, youth, families, and older adults, aiming to improve their quality of life.
Application Process for 2025 Transitional Grants
In 2025, you’ll navigate a transitional year for grant applications with the Mardag Foundation, as the traditional open process is replaced by an invitation-only approach.
Simplified applications are due in September for the second transitional round. Here are key considerations:
- Invitations are based on past grant interactions.
- Register for GranteeView to prepare.
- Focus on equitable opportunities for marginalized groups.
- Prioritize pathways to employment and stable housing.
- Improve your grant writing skills for future opportunities.
Reimagining the Grant Programs for 2026
Even as you wrap up your 2025 transitional grants, the Mardag Foundation is already rolling out a significant overhaul of its grantmaking—shifting to new application processes and updated priorities designed to amplify community impact in 2026 and beyond.
The foundation will focus on supporting low-income children, youth, families, and older adults, enhancing community engagement through collaborative initiatives.
This strategic shift aims to build funding sustainability while addressing the needs of marginalized communities.
Complete guidelines will be available in November 2025, with the first grants awarded under the new structure in early 2026.
Support and Resources for Applicants
As you prepare to apply for the Mardag Foundation’s 2026 grants, you’ll find dedicated support strategically designed to simplify your experience and improve your likelihood of success.
The Grants team encourages you to connect early for personalized guidance, helping you refine your funding strategies and tailor application tips. You must register on GranteeView, the grant portal, where instructions and key dates are readily accessible.
Emphasis is placed on organizations serving marginalized communities, reflecting the foundation’s racial equity commitment.
- Personalized support during the simplified application process
- Early discussions to assess fit and strengthen funding strategies
- Registration required via GranteeView portal with clear application tips
- Comprehensive resources including key deadlines and materials
- Priority for organizations serving marginalized populations aligned with racial equity goals
Grant Application Portal and Registration
While planning to apply for Mardag Foundation’s 2026 grants, you’ll focus on registering with GranteeView, the required portal for all applicants. The registration process is straightforward: each person acting as a grant administrator must create an individual account using their first name, last name, and email address—sharing accounts isn’t allowed. After entering your details, you’ll confirm your email and set a password, linking your profile to your organization once approved. Because approvals take time and each organization can have multiple administrators, start early to avoid delays and guarantee you meet the September 2025 deadline for transitional grants.
| Step | Application Tips |
|---|---|
| Register individually | Use a personal email; don’t share logins |
| Confirm email promptly | Check spam/junk if you don’t receive the link |
| Connect to organization | Wait for approval before submitting applications |
Reach out to the Grants Team for guidance—they can clarify fit and walk you through the process before you plunge into writing. Remember, early registration smooths your path to submitting a competitive proposal.
Key Dates and Deadlines for Grant Rounds
Now that you’ve taken care of registering on GranteeView, it’s time to focus on the key dates and deadlines for Mardag Foundation’s grant rounds.
The grant timeline for 2025 is invitation-only, with simplified applications due in September and approvals by November.
Keep these application deadlines in mind to plan strategically:
- May 5-22, 2025: MN Forward Pooled Fund applications accepted, focusing on community responses to federal shifts
- September 2025: Simplified applications due for the invitation-only transitional grant round
- November 2025: Grants approved and future guidelines posted
- January 2026: Minnesota Community IDEAS Program applications open
- 2024: $1.5 million awarded across 48 organizations as a foundation for the redesigned programs
Mark your calendar to align with this precise grant timeline.
Contact Information and Communications
You can reach the Mardag Foundation directly by phone at 651.224.5463 or 800.875.6167, or by email at [email protected] for any questions about grants and the application process.
Their Grants Team is ready to support you through the simplified application and help align your organization’s work with the Foundation’s priorities.
Don’t forget to register early on GranteeView, the online portal, to access all grant opportunities efficiently.
Foundation Contact Details
To connect with the Mardag Foundation, located at 370 Wabasha Street North, Suite 300, Saint Paul, MN 55102, you can reach them via phone at 651.224.5463 or toll-free at 800.875.6167.
- Foundation outreach is proactive: The Grants team is available for direct support, encouraging you to contact them by phone or at [email protected] for personalized guidance on your grant application journey.
- Grant application questions are welcomed; the team is committed to helping you navigate guidelines, eligibility, and the online GranteeView portal, which is open for registration now.
- Comprehensive resources—including key dates, FAQs, and detailed instructions—are updated regularly on the foundation’s website.
- Registering for GranteeView is your first step; complete your profile before starting any application process.
- Staying informed guarantees you won’t miss updates on evolving priorities or deadlines—sign up for communications if you want monthly insights.
Grants Team Communication
As you prepare to connect with the Mardag Foundation’s Grants Team, it’s helpful to know that they actively support organizations throughout the grant application process.
For grant inquiries or application support, email [email protected] to discuss your project’s fit and receive tailored assistance.
The team encourages you to register in GranteeView, their grant portal, where applications are submitted.
If you prefer direct contact, call 651.224.5463 or visit them at 370 Wabasha Street North, Suite 300, Saint Paul, MN 55102.
This hands-on communication improves your application experience and increases clarity on eligibility and process details.
Digital Application Support
Although the digital application process is streamlined for simplicity, reaching out to the Mardag Foundation’s Grants team before submitting your application can clarify your project’s fit and provide personalized guidance.
You’ll need to register on GranteeView, the Foundation’s online portal, where registration is open now. Once registered, you’ll receive monthly emails with timely grant opportunity updates.
For tailored support, contact program officers like Anaïs Deal-Márquez or Sharon DeMark based on your focus area.
- Contact the Grants team via phone or email for application tips
- Use digital resources to navigate GranteeView registration and application
- Engage early to assess fit and strengthen your proposal
- Receive ongoing updates through monthly grant opportunity emails
- Connect with specific program officers for expert guidance and program-focused advice
Impact of Mardag Foundation Grants
Because Mardag Foundation grants target nonprofits serving the most vulnerable Minnesotans—including low-income children, youth, families, and older adults, with a particular focus on marginalized and BIPOC communities—their impact stretches far beyond the numbers: in 2024 alone, $3 million reached 126 organizations, providing general operating and capital support where it’s needed most.
Grant recipient testimonials highlight improved capacity and community engagement. Funding impact analysis reveals better access to essential resources, fostering equitable outcomes for diverse populations.
This strategic investment strengthens community liveliness and inclusivity in Minnesota.
Collaboration With Partner Foundations
As you investigate the collaborative efforts of the Mardag Foundation with its partner foundations, including the F. R. Bigelow Foundation and the Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation, you’ll notice a strategic integration of funding priorities focused on racial equity and support for marginalized populations.
You’re likely to see a shared application system that simplifies the process for nonprofits seeking grants, ensuring that community-led solutions are effectively supported.
Integrated Funding Priorities
- Community-informed processes drive grant design for transparency and inclusion.
- Funding priorities emphasize equity for Black, Indigenous, and communities of color.
- Grants foster innovative, collaborative solutions to local challenges.
- Support targets systemic changes and direct services in housing, education, and health.
- Responsive and system-level grants balance urgent and long-term community needs.
Shared Application Systems
While collaborating with partner foundations like the Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation and the F. R. Bigelow Foundation, Mardag Foundation improves application efficiency and grant accessibility through a shared system.
Staff from Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation manage grant programs, providing streamlined support and making it easier for you to navigate applications.
Using the unified platform, GranteeView, you can apply for multiple grants simultaneously across these foundations, saving time and effort.
This collaboration maximizes funding reach, supports community-led initiatives, and encourages nonprofit partnerships, ensuring your organization accesses diverse resources tailored to address varied community needs and marginalized populations effectively.
Information Sessions and Outreach Events
Because the Mardag Foundation revamped its grant programs to launch in 2026, it hosted fully registered information sessions in November 2024 to guide applicants through these changes and explain new funding opportunities.
You’ll find these sessions essential for mastering grant application tips and refining outreach strategies. The sessions covered partnerships with Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation and F. R. Bigelow Foundation and introduced the redesigned grantmaking approach.
- Full sessions registration shows strong applicant interest
- Virtual session recordings available by November 25
- Focus on new application processes and funding priorities
- Insights into partner foundation grant offerings
- Grant Redesign Hub provides detailed outreach resources
Past Grant Award Data and Trends
As you investigate the past grant award data and trends of the Mardag Foundation, you’ll notice significant funding amount trends like the $14 million distributed across 456 grants in partnerships, highlighting a commitment to extensive community support.
The types of recipient organizations often include 501(c)3 nonprofits and government entities, all of which are essential in serving the East Metro and Greater Minnesota areas.
Funding Amount Trends
Even as grantmaking strategies evolve across the philanthropic sector, Mardag Foundation’s recent funding patterns reveal a deliberate shift toward targeted, community-led solutions—a strategy that’s amplified both the scale and the impact of their investments in Minnesota’s most vulnerable populations.
You’ll notice that grant allocation increasingly prioritizes general operating support and capital projects, moving decisively away from arts and culture in future cycles. By focusing on marginalized communities—especially low-income children, youth, and families—the foundation connects funding strategies directly to measurable community outcomes. This approach not only stabilizes essential organizations but also builds capacity for long-term systems change where it’s needed most.
- Total annual grantmaking fluctuates strategically: In 2024, $3 million supported 126 organizations; in 2025’s first round, $1.5 million went to 48 groups—reflecting both responsiveness and intention to deepen impact per grantee.
- Funding is increasingly concentrated: Grants now target fewer, higher-need organizations, maximizing each dollar’s reach within priority populations.
- General operating support rises: Moving beyond project-specific awards, the foundation now prioritizes flexible funding that strengthens organizational resilience.
- Capital projects gain prominence: Future cycles will emphasize investments in physical infrastructure critical for community well-being.
- Arts and culture phase out: By 2026, arts funding will no longer be a standalone priority, signaling a sharper focus on basic needs and systemic equity.
Recipient Organization Types
Mardag Foundation concentrates its grantmaking primarily on 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations, educational and governmental institutions, and religious organizations that serve marginalized populations across the East Metro and Greater Minnesota.
This geographic focus guarantees grants support local residents directly, addressing recipient organization challenges such as limited funding access.
Grant application successes often result from aligning with the foundation’s priorities on low-income children, youth, families, and older adults.
Geographic Distribution Patterns
Grant awards consistently reflect a concentrated investment in the East Metro counties of Dakota, Ramsey, and Washington, along with broader areas across Greater Minnesota, excluding Minneapolis and the West Metro.
This geographic analysis reveals intentional funding strategies that center on regions facing systemic barriers and where community needs are often overlooked. You’ll notice deliberate funding disparities when comparing East Metro and Greater Minnesota to Minneapolis, underscoring the foundation’s mission to bridge gaps in underserved areas.
By focusing on these geographies, the Mardag Foundation amplifies local solutions, prioritizes marginalized populations, and catalyzes equitable access to resources.
- Targeted investment: Funding is explicitly directed away from Minneapolis, reinforcing a commitment to East Metro and Greater Minnesota communities with historically less philanthropic attention.
- Elevated need: Geographic focus areas are chosen for their higher rates of poverty, barriers to opportunity, and systemic inequities—especially among low-income children, youth, families, and older adults.
- Strategic reach: By excluding West Metro organizations, the foundation guarantees resources are intentionally spread across a wider, more diverse geographic footprint, rather than concentrated in urban cores.
- Community-led solutions: The geographic distribution encourages local leadership and grassroots innovation, as evidenced by a trend of increasing grants to organizations embedded in these communities.
- Funding equity: This approach deliberately addresses funding disparities, making certain that both rural and suburban nonprofits have access to transformative support, not just those in major cities.
Featured and Specialized Grant Programs
When seeking targeted support to address urgent crises, capacity-building, or innovative community change, several specialized grant programs stand ready to meet those needs.
The Community Sharing Fund delivers emergency grants through nonprofit caseworkers, ensuring immediate crisis response.
To boost organizational strength, the Management Improvement Fund offers up to $15,000 for groups with budgets under $5 million.
The Minnesota Community IDEAS Program, launching applications in January 2026, funds innovative, community-led projects statewide.
The Bush Prize rewards consistent impact by recognizing creative community solutions in Spring 2026.
Meanwhile, the MN Forward Pooled Fund supports programs under $3 million tackling federal policy effects, all designed to amplify grant impact with strategic funding approaches.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Possible to Get Feedback if My Grant Application Is Denied?
You can request grant application feedback by contacting the Grants Team, as Mardag Foundation aims for transparency in their denial process and encourages applicants to reach out for guidance after any decision. This can clarify why you were denied and how to improve future applications.
Can Previous Grantees Get Help With Renewing or Expanding Their Funded Programs?
Wondering if you can navigate the renewal process or seek support for program expansion? Yes, Mardag Foundation encourages previous grantees to engage with their Grants team for tailored guidance on renewing and expanding funded programs strategically. This guarantees alignment with updated priorities and increases chances for ongoing support. Reach out early to capitalize on this opportunity effectively.
Are There Restrictions on How Long Ago Grants Were Awarded for Tracking or Reporting Purposes?
You must track and report grants awarded within the current reporting timeline specified by Mardag Foundation, which typically focuses on recent grants aligned with evolving funding priorities. Older grants outside these timelines may be excluded from active tracking or reporting.
How Does the Mardag Foundation Ensure Grant Funds Are Used as Intended?
You can guarantee grant funds are used as intended through robust grant monitoring and fund accountability measures. This includes regular reporting, transparent communication, and program evaluation to maintain effective use of resources and track outcomes.
What Should I Do if My Organization’s Circumstances Change After Applying for a Grant?
If your organization experiences changes after submitting a grant application, you should promptly notify the Mardag Foundation’s Grants team. Timely communication about organizational changes helps maintain transparency and allows strategic adjustments to your grant plan. Studies show 60% of nonprofits face shifts impacting funding use, so proactive updates increase trust and funding continuity. Contacting your program officer with detailed explanations will help guarantee your grant funds align with the revised circumstances and comply with Foundation requirements. This strategic approach shows accountability and maximizes your chances of continued support.
Conclusion
Think of the Mardag Foundation’s grants like planting seeds in a community garden—each dollar supports nonprofits that nurture low-income children, youth, families, and older adults, especially in underserved Minnesota neighborhoods. In 2025 alone, 48 organizations received $1.5 million to grow opportunities and racial equity across the East Metro and Greater Minnesota. By shifting to an invitation-only process, Mardag guarantees these seeds blossom with intentional care, fueling lasting change where it’s needed most.