Community Solutions Grant Program
F. R. Bigelow Foundation’s Community Solutions Program supports solutions that improve quality of life for East Metro residents.
Program Overview
F. R. Bigelow Foundation seeks to strengthen quality of life in the East Metro by supporting organizations, programs and initiatives that are informed by, formed by and benefit residents.
Through general operating, program/project and capital support, our Community Solutions grants focus on organizations, programs and initiatives serving the East Metro (Dakota, Ramsey and Washington counties).
The program’s funding priorities include:
- Arts & Culture
- Community & Economic Development
- Health
- Human Services
- Youth & Education
This program is intended to be responsive to ongoing and timely community opportunities through an open and rolling application process. Decisions will be made and grants distributed by June, September and November 2026.
Eligibility
Grants can be made to 501(c)3 nonprofits, government entities, educational institutions or organizations with a fiscal sponsor.
Organizations should have a demonstrated impact or potential for impact in the East Metro (Dakota, Ramsey and Washington counties).
While an organization may be eligible to apply, attention and preference will be given to organizations:
- Addressing disparities and/or creating more equitable outcomes for communities experiencing marginalization due to race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, age, ability or geography
- Establishing a clear connection to the Informs, Forms, Benefits framework, which states that those experiencing barriers should not only benefit from the work we support, but inform, form and lead it as well
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.
Funding Priorities
F. R. Bigelow Foundation has five focus areas and will consider proposals that address one or more of the following:
Arts & Culture
Strengthening the arts and culture sector to serve all individuals and all communities across the East Metro region
- The Foundation believes that all peoples, their cultures, and their art contribute to the meaning and understanding of our 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., people with disabilities, low-income communities, members of the LGBTQIA+ community, formerly incarcerated people, etc.) through the arts.
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
- The Foundation seeks to invest and partner in solutions informed and formed by the people facing the highest barriers to wealth creation, economic security and family-sustaining career pathways. In the East Metro, this includes BIPOC, women, veterans, young people, people with disabilities, formerly incarcerated people and LGBTQIA+ people.
- Specific priorities for wealth creation include strengthening the entrepreneur ecosystem and increasing local ownership of businesses and homes.
- Regarding economic security, the Foundation recognizes the importance of anchor institutions embedded at the neighborhood level. For workforce development, we will prioritize employment pathways that meet the needs of individuals and employers alike.
Health
Increasing health equity through quality, affordable, culturally relevant services, particularly for low-income, uninsured, under-insured and socially marginalized individuals
- The Foundation continues to prioritize health organizations that focus on health equity and increase access to affordable, culturally relevant health services.
- The Foundation hopes to align its health grants to be inclusive of programs and organizations that serve low-income families, provide free or affordable, culturally relevant services, and holistic care.
- Given the increase in severity, cost of and demand for mental health services, urgent care and/or crisis prevention, access to reproductive health care, trauma-informed health care, and free or reduced services for uninsured or underinsured communities, the Foundation will prioritize these programs and organizations to continue to serve our most vulnerable and marginalized communities.
Human Services
Investing in basic needs for individuals and families, helping them be safe, stable and independent
- The Foundation will prioritize grants that assist residents in navigating life transitions, finding safety and stability, and promoting independence.
- In addition to supporting work that centers the voices of the people most impacted by an organization’s work, special priority will be given to disability support services, child welfare support services, family and parent support services, food relief and assistance, older adult services, immigration and legal services, and re-entry supports for formerly incarcerated people.
Youth & Education
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
- The Foundation recognizes how important it is for students and young people to feel cared for, protected, valued and seen after a difficult period in their learning and growth. This is complex and urgent work, and the Foundation will prioritize organizations that blend academic, social and emotional support for young people most impacted by educational inequity.
- The Foundation will also prioritize support to organizations working to build a robust early childhood system that gives children and families access to high-quality care and education programs.
Grants Team
Before applying, all interested applicants are encouraged to contact a member of our Grants Team to ensure that the grant program fits your needs.
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 (Dakota, Ramsey and Washington counties).
Program/Project Support
These grants are designed to provide support to a program or project serving 50% or more East Metro residents. The Foundation will consider proposals for established and/or new programs/projects.
Any organization is eligible for this type of grant regardless of overall geographic focus. In other words, the organization can do 75% of its work in Hennepin County or elsewhere, but would be eligible to apply for a project serving mostly Dakota, Ramsey or Washington County residents.
Capital Support
As part of F. R. Bigelow Foundation’s Community Solutions grantmaking, organizations may apply for capital support. To be eligible for capital support, organizations must demonstrate ongoing or potential significant benefit to East Metro (Dakota, Ramsey and Washington counties) residents. Capital grants will support an organization’s long-term resiliency or infrastructure including:
- Efforts to ensure critical resources remain stable and present in the East Metro (e.g., “comprehensive campaigns” intended to grow or strengthen organizational capacity; program innovations or compliance updates needed to ensure responsiveness and relevancy, etc.)
- Physical or digital capital needs such as purchase, updates to or maintenance of buildings, facilities, technology and/or equipment.
Grant Requests Not Accepted
F. R. Bigelow Foundation will not consider grant requests for support of:
- Medical research
- Capital projects located outside Dakota, Ramsey and Washington counties
- Organizations not primarily serving residents of Dakota, Ramsey and Washington counties
- Sectarian religious programs or organizations
- Grants to individuals
Grant Details
Grant amounts will be up to $50,000 per year for a period of one to two years for general operating and program/project support, and up to $250,000 over two years for capital projects.
In 2026, approximately $5,000,000 is available for this grant program, and we anticipate awarding approximately 100 grants.
This program is intended to be responsive to ongoing and timely community opportunities through an open application process. Decisions will be made and grants distributed by June, September and November 2026.
Current & Past Grant Status
Current grantees are eligible for funding. Please contact a member of our Grants Team with questions.
Grant Application Resources
Grant resources include key dates and instructions on how to register for and use GranteeView, our grant application portal.
How to Apply
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. Decisions will be made and grants distributed by June, September and November 2026.
Step 1: Review Grant Guidelines
Familiarize yourself with the eligibility criteria and funding priorities for this grant program.
Step 2. Talk to the Grants Team
All interested applicants are encouraged to contact a member of our Grants Team before applying to ensure that the grant program fits your needs.
Step 3. Review Application Materials
Review required application materials and instructions on how to apply.
View Grant Application Resources
Step 4. Register and Apply
This grant program requires applicants to register for GranteeView to apply for a grant. Registration is open now.
Step 5: Stay Connected
Whether or not your organization is selected for a grant opportunity, we want to stay connected. Our Grants Team is always excited to connect with community partners.