Frequently Asked Questions
New Strategic Direction for the Twin Cities
- What’s driving this new direction?
The Foundation recently completed a strategic planning process that endorsed increased investments in communities where family members live and a more focused approach for the Foundation’s work in the Twin Cities.
- When will the new funding focus take effect?
Beginning in January 2011.
- My organization has a request in the current grant round. What does this mean for me?
The Board will approve funding decisions for requests received for the November 15, 2009 submission deadline in late February 2010. You will be notified about these decisions around March 1, 2010.
- What will happen to the Foundation’s grantmaking in 2010?
During 2010, the Foundation will direct its grantmaking resources in the Twin Cities toward three purposes:
- Exit Grants: The Foundation will commit a significant portion of its grantmaking budget to exit grants for select grantee organizations that no longer fit our funding focus. These grants will be made by mid-May.
- Current Commitments: The Foundation will approve a grant round in late February and honor several multi-year commitments for 2010.
- Legacy Grants: The Foundation will continue to reflect the legacy of our founders and support several selected long-term grantees that are combating discrimination and advancing equality for all members of our community.
As a result, the Foundation will not accept any new grant applications for the remainder of the year and regular grant deadlines have been suspended.
- Who is eligible for exit grants?
The Foundation will offer exit grants for select current grantees that no longer fit the future funding strategy.
- When will organizations be notified about exit grants?
We expect to notify organizations by mid-May 2010. There will be no application process.
- Will the Foundation continue to provide program, organizational effectiveness and capital grants with its new funding focus?
New grant guidelines and application information will be available on our website by year-end. The process for applying for grant funds in 2011 will be available at that time.
- Will the Foundation continue to provide capital grants as you have in the past?
We are currently considering capital support for organizations that were invited to submit full funding requests through our Capital Grants LOI process. Those decisions will be made around May 1, 2010. A decision about whether we will have future capital grant rounds will be made by the end of this year. Please watch the Foundation’s website for further updates.
- Do you have any ideas of other organizations from whom I might be able to seek funding as a “replacement” for Foundation funding?
Please contact the Foundation’s program staff who may be able to assist you in identifying other funding resources that could support your particular program. The Foundation cannot promise that other funders will be able to replace the Foundation’s past funding to your organization.
- Will you be going back to your old funding strategies in the future?
The five funding priorities will remain in place to guide the families’ directed grantmaking in their home communities. For at least the next 3 years, the Foundation has made a commitment to target its Twin Cities grantmaking efforts to helping people in poverty attain economic stability.
- How can our organization access funds from trustee directed grants?
Unsolicited requests are not accepted for trustee directed grants.
- What input did you gather from the community before making these decisions?
The Foundation drew upon its 18 years of grantmaking experience and knowledge of various issues to develop this new strategic focus and identify where we could have the most impact with grantmaking resources in the future.
- How will the Foundation define the specific strategies that will be funded under the new focus?
During 2010, the Foundation plans to convene grantees and other community organizations to better define its strategies and anticipated results. More information about how organizations can be involved in this planning process will be forthcoming this spring.
- How much money are you allocating to this new strategy?
In 2011, the Foundation will direct approximately two-thirds of its grantmaking budget to the new focus areas and one-third to legacy grants to organizations that are combating discrimination and advancing equality for all members of our community.