Additional Funding Considerations
The Foundation awards grants only to organizations which are tax-exempt and publicly supported under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Service Code.

• Grants are awarded primarily in the Twin Cities metropolitan area.  Unsolicited proposals are not accepted from organizations located outside of Minnesota.
• The Foundation selects proposals for funding based on the extent to which they address the Foundation’s values, funding interests and concerns. We believe that a healthy and vital community is fostered when all individuals are provided equal access to services without discrimination, and treated with fairness, respect and dignity;
• In general, the Foundation prefers to make one-year, targeted grants for program or organizational effectiveness*, rather than for general operating support. In general, the Foundation does not support requests for endowment campaigns. On occasion, the Foundation will consider recurring grants for the same purpose based on demonstrated progress toward attainment of expected outcomes;
• The Foundation prefers to support projects that represent new thinking about community needs and innovative efforts that have the potential for long-term solutions to community problems. The Foundation gives priority to model projects that have the potential to have major impact through replication to other settings or by adding to the body of knowledge in a particular field. The level of need for support and the quality of organizational management are also taken into consideration. Lastly, the Foundation encourages applicants to seek funding from a variety of sources;
• The Foundation may occasionally choose to initiate special projects outside of its normal grant cycle and/or invite applicants to submit their applications in alternative formats.
  

*Organizational Effectiveness Support
The Foundation uses the following definition of organizational effectiveness provided by Grantmakers for Effective Organizations: "Organizational effectiveness is the ability of an organization to fulfill its mission through a blend of sound management, strong governance, and a persistent rededication to achieving results."

Examples of organizational effectiveness requests to the Foundation may include, but are not limited to such activities as support for strategic planning, program evaluation or restructuring, board development, developing new strategic alliances/partnerships, fund development, resource/staff development, training, marketing and volunteer development.

Restrictions
No application from an organization previously funded by the Foundation will be reviewed until a final report or progress report on the previous grant has been received.

The Foundation also does not make grants:

• In support of individuals;
• For lobbying efforts to influence legislation;
• For political campaigns.         (continued on next page)