Initiative Foundation Innovation Fund (Minnesota)

 
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    CFDA#

    None     		 

    Funder Type

    Corporate Foundation

    IT Classification

    C - Funds little to no technology

    Authority

    Initiative Foundation

    Summary

    The Initiative Foundation is an action-driven catalyst and convener, bringing people together to spark meaningful discussions and partnerships. The mission of the Foundation is to unlock the power of central Minnesota people to build and sustain healthy communities. The Initiative Foundation ensures every grant dollar achieves the most significant impact in central Minnesota.


    For FY25 the Foundation prioritizes the following :

    • Localism: We support local organizations and projects with local leadership and local financial support.
    • Geographic equity: We strive to create a meaningful difference annually in the counties and Native nations we serve.
    • Economic roots: We focus on grants that improve economies, build economic opportunity, and create community vibrancy.
    • Leverage: We believe in building the capacity of nonprofits and economic development entities so that our initial investment acts as a catalyst to attract larger and ongoing support from the community, businesses, and philanthropic organizations.


    The Initiative Foundation awards grants through the following programs. 

    • Partner Funds: A significant share of Initiative Foundation grantmaking is funded by Partner Funds. Each of these grants has specific priority areas and varying grant schedules. 
    • Community Funds: Hosted community funds provide grants to the communities they serve.
    • Education Funds: Hosted education funds provide grants to schools in their targeted service area.
    • Field of Interest Funds: Provide grants to specific projects.
     

    History of Funding

    Previous grant recipients in Annual Reports can be viewed at: https://www.ifound.org/about-us/annual-reports

    Additional Information

    The following expenses are ineligible and will not be considered for Innovation funding: 

    • Grants or reimbursements to individuals and businesses.
    • Expenses incurred prior to the receipt of a grant award.
    • Capital expenses (e.g., buildings, equipment, vehicles, etc.).
    • Programs or projects that DO NOT directly benefit residents in the Initiative Foundation's 14-county service area.
    • Replacement of or substitution for government funding.
    • Religious activities.
    • Lobbying or campaigning for a candidate, issue or referendum vote.
    • Development or purchase of school curriculum or support for school athletic programs. 
    • Out-of-state travel.

    Contacts

    Don Hickman

    Don Hickman

    ,

    Initiative Foundation Staff

    Initiative Foundation Staff
    405 First St. S.E.
    Little Falls, MN 56345
    (320) 632-9255

    Chris Fastner

    Chris Fastner

    ,

    Zach Tabatt

    Zach Tabatt

    ,
     

  • Eligibility Details

    Applicants must be a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, school districts, or local units of government that serve the people and communities in Benton, Cass, Chisago, Crow Wing, Isanti, Kanabec, Mille Lacs, Morrison, Pine, Sherburne, Stearns, Todd, Wadena, and Wright counties, and the sovereign tribal nations of the Leech Lake and Mille Lacs Bands of Ojibwe. Funding requests for use outside of this geography will not be considered. Individuals are not eligible to apply for grant funds.

    Deadline Details

    Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis, with quarterly awards made through a competitive review process. The deadlines are as follows:

    The application opens on Feb. 18 for Initiative Foundation grant-seekers and April 1 for those who seek grants from our family of Partner Funds. Applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis and reviewed according to the following schedule:

    Nonprofit capacity-building grant deadlines:

    • April 1, 2025
    • Oct. 10, 2025

    Economic development, workforce grant deadlines:

    • May 9, 2025
    • Nov. 14, 2025

    Applicants will typically be notified of decisions within two weeks of the application deadline. Email [email protected] or contact Nicole for nonprofit and Nonprofit Academy questions; Zach or Donniel for economic development and workforce questions; or Jessy for procedural questions.

    Award Details

    Award amounts vary. The average Initiative Foundation grant is about $5,000. Grant amounts vary according to the type of project and the number of communities that will benefit. There is no specific match requirement, however, the Foundation rarely funds more than fifty percent of a single project.

    Related Webcasts Use the links below to view the recorded playback of these webcasts



 

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