8 survey respondents
Location: 101 5th St E Ste 2400, Saint Paul, 55101 MN
EIN: 41-1698990
100%
0%
15 hours
Median
100%
0%
100%
0%
2017 Deadlines:
Types of Grants Awarded:
Geographic Focus:
For Fiscal Year
Total Assets:
Total Grants:
Change in Assets FY :
Amount of Grants to Minnesota Nonprofits:
Largest Grant:
Smallest Grant:
Average Grant:
Grant Applicant - applied in 2020
Reach out to staff before beginning your request. I have had success with capital requests and general operating requests for Duluth organizations, both of which are challenging in this area. Mardag has been great to work with, but get staff input before you begin.
Insightful, "Gets" nonprofits and issues, Openminded, Responsive
Minnesota
Current or former grantee
Funded for amount requested
2020
Good
It's a little bit confusing to figure out who to go to, but whoever I have reached out to has always pointed me in the right direction.
Good
They want to improve the quality of life in Minnesota, and I think they are doing it.
Mardag recently launched a general operating funding stream, and I presume that this is in response to nonprofit needs. I appreciate seeing them move in this direction to better support their constituents.
They are supporting work that is otherwise really difficult to fund in Duluth, but essential to the effectiveness of nonprofits here.
More than 15
Reviewer 385 - Grant Applicant - applied in 2016
The application process was clear, and we had a delightful visit with the program officer to share some more information about our project. He was thorough, professional, and competent.
Likes site visits, "Gets" nonprofits and issues, Responsive
Minnesota
Current or former grantee
Funded for amount requested
2016
Good
Good
10
Thank you for the review!
Reviewer 373 - Grant Applicant - applied in 2016
This was a wonderful foundation with which to work. They provided generous input prior to the grant writing, asked clarifying questions after it was submitted and I felt did everything possible to advocate for our success. Their final report was fair and their support along the way professional and very helpful.
Positive leader in the field, Gives more than money, Culturally sensitive, Insightful, Friendly, "Gets" nonprofits and issues, Openminded, Responsive
Minnesota
Current or former grantee
Funded for lesser amount
2016
Good
Before, during and after, they would respond. Excellent!
Good
The video online was most helpful in understanding their structure. They provide access to personnel with specific responsibility for particular areas and encourage you to call them. They clearly state their goals and help your proposal to stay within their guidelines.
Have been waiting for a response to the final report and would like to know that we have met all their expectations.
I will go back to them in the future.
Communicates!!
20
Thanks for the review!
Grant Applicant - applied in 2017
Give them a call to ensure that your program matches their mission. Don't give up if you meet their mission, "no" does not mean "no never".
Minnesota
Current or former grantee
Funded for lesser amount
2017
Good
Very accessible and open to questions throughout the process.
Good
They fund a broad array of issues, if you fit what they are focused on your chances are better.
Good communications
8
Thank you for the review!
Reviewer 515 - Grant Applicant - applied in 2017
Connecting with the program officer first is key - to discuss application concept/strategy. The Foundation has an east metro focus; be sure to review their giving priorities. They typically don't provide funding year after year.
Positive leader in the field, Culturally sensitive, Insightful, Friendly, Builds relationships, "Gets" nonprofits and issues, Openminded, Responsive
Minnesota
Current or former grantee
Funded for amount requested
2017
Good
Good
Recently went to an online application process. The online process is fairly simple, which is appreciated!
The program officer is really great at providing honest feedback/input on proposal concepts - whether it will be competitive or not during the grant round with the Board.
5 to 10 hours
Thank you for the review.
Grant Applicant
Appreciate Mardag's willingness to take on complex on-the-ground-solutions in St. Paul. Pretty specific, project oriented though, which can be difficult as we adapt and grow with community support and input.
Current or former grantee
More than 15
Thank you for the review! We acknowledge your concern about project-based support and are always looking for options to work with organizations on better partnerships.
Reviewer 625 - Grant Applicant - applied in 2016
Great folks to work with! I called them at short notice, right before applications were due. I was not expecting much, but explained our situation (dire need to replace a vehicle) , was told, "If you've already got a grant written for this [we had several, fortunately], submit it." Did so, and was fully funded! The grants officer who called to review the grant was really thorough and asked great questions.
Friendly, Responsive
Minnesota
Current or former grantee
Funded for amount requested
2016
Good
Good
Same advice as to all funders - asking how an agency plans to sustain a grant effort after their support ends is a question non-profits hate answering! And you/we all know it's rarely answered with much candor. ("We'll seek more grant funding - either from you or someone else!" is what we really want to say). I understand why it's in every application,but am unconvinced that it yields any useful info in most cases.
Do call them! I found the grants officer I talked with to be very helpful, straightforward, and exceedingly thorough - greatly respected and appreciated that.
Communicates well, and is very clear in their guidelines (so many finders aren't!)
Thank you for the review! We're glad you had a good partnership experience with us.
Grant Applicant - applied in 2017
The Mardag Foundation is very open and communicative. They have specific areas of focus. They are very responsive to phone inquiries. They make as many follow-up calls as they need to truly understand your needs. You can feel that they truly want to understand your application so they can best communicate your application to their governing board.
Friendly, Builds relationships, "Gets" nonprofits and issues, Openminded, Responsive
Minnesota
Current or former grantee
Funded for lesser amount
2017
Good
Very accessible.
Good
If you fit their mission goals they will listen and give you a fair chance.
Continue working hard to understand the needs of rural nonprofit agencies.
They are strong communicators.
Thank you for the review! We appreciate your feedback.
