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Grant Guidelines

A note from the Foundation:

We have continued to adapt our grantmaking to be flexible and responsive and will offer general operating, program, and capital support throughout 2021.

The F. R. Bigelow Foundation considers grant applications from nonprofit organizations and public entities fostering a vibrant East Metro region and seeking to achieve racially and economically equitable outcomes in the areas of arts & culture, economic & community development, education & youth development, health, housing and human services.

Geography

Our primary geographic focus is the Greater Saint Paul metropolitan area, which includes Dakota, Ramsey and Washington counties, with a particular emphasis on serving people who live or work in the city of Saint Paul.

Primary Areas of Interest

• Arts & Culture - Strengthening the arts & culture sector to serve all individuals and all communities across the East Metro region by supporting capacity building, capital projects and community programs.
• Community & Economic Development - Building a strong and vital East Metro through community building, physical development and strengthening support for low-income individuals, families and underrepresented communities through workforce development and training.
• Education & Youth Development - Supporting under-served children, youth and young adults by investing in access to high-quality education and youth development both in and out of school from cradle to career.
• Health - Increasing health equity through quality, affordable, culturally relevant services, particularly for low-income, uninsured, under-insured and socially marginalized individuals.
• Housing - Improving access for low-income individuals and families to affordable quality housing, preventing and ending homelessness.
• Human Services - Investing in basic needs for individuals and families, helping them be safe, stable and independent.

Types of Grants Available

Our current grant opportunity includes:

• General operating support for organizations in which at least 50% of the organization’s services benefit residents in the East Metro. We are seeking to achieve racially and economically equitable outcomes in our primary areas of interest.
• Capital projects located within the East Metro area. These grants are designed to support your organization’s 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.
• Program grants. These grants are designed to provide support to a program or project serving residents of the East Metro. The Foundation will consider proposals for established and/or new programs/projects.

Eligibility

Grants can be made to 501(c)3 organizations, education or governmental units and religious institutions. Grants can also be made to groups working through an eligible fiscal sponsor.

Current & Past Grant Status

Current grantees are eligible to apply for funding that would begin after the end of their current grant period. Nonprofits that have received three years of consecutive funding are eligible to apply for a grant. Questions? Please call your Grant Team contact.

Grant Requests Not Accepted

• Capital projects located outside Dakota, Ramsey and Washington counties
• Programs not primarily serving residents of Dakota, Ramsey and Washington counties
• Sectarian religious programs or organizations
• Grants to individuals
• Medical research

Important Dates

Grant applications for this cycle open on Dec. 15, 2020, and close at 3 p.m. on Jan. 12, 2021. Applicants will be notified if they are being considered for full review by late February. The board meets to make to funding decisions in mid-to-late May.

Contact Us

Before applying, all interested applicants are encouraged to contact a member of the Grant Team to ensure that your grant fits the requested need.