Mardag Foundation Grant Program for Nonprofit Organizations

Applications are now being accepted for the 2024 Mardag Foundation Grant Program.
Donor Name: Mardag Foundation
State: Minnesota
County: Dakota County (MN), Ramsey County (MN), Washington County (MN)
Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy)
Details:
Mardag Foundation believes that the community should not only benefit from the work, but inform and form it as well. Creating solutions to today’s issues requires a collaborative approach. The work is also rooted in a commitment to racial equity.
Funding Priorities
The 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 the 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.

Types of Grants
The Foundation 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).

Capital Projects

Capital projects must be located in Greater Minnesota or the East Metro AND 50% or more of all services provided by the entire organization must benefit Greater Minnesota and/or East Metro (Washington, Dakota and Ramsey counties) 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.

Geographic Areas 
The Mardag Foundation makes grants to nonprofit organizations and public entities located within and serving residents of Minnesota. The geographic focus of our grantmaking is the East Metro area of Dakota, Ramsey and Washington counties, as well as Greater Minnesota.
Eligibility Criteria 

Grants can be made to 501(c)3 organizations, education or governmental units and religious institutions.
While an organization may be eligible to apply, attention and preference will be given to organizations:

Prioritizing people experiencing the most marginalization, especially due to race, ethnicity, gender identity or sexual orientation, age, ability, immigration status, etc.
Where work is informed, formed and led by the people most impacted by it.

Ineligibility
The Foundation will not consider grant applications for:

Organizations using fiscal sponsors
Organizations exclusively serving Minneapolis and the surrounding West Metro area
Scholarships and grants to individuals
Sectarian religious programs or organizations
Federated campaigns
Events and conferences
Capital campaigns of private secondary schools
Capital and endowment campaigns of private colleges and universities
Program/project specific requests

For more information, visit Mardag Foundation.