10 survey respondents
Location: 324 W. Superior St., Suite 700, Duluth, 55802 MN
EIN: 41-1429402
80%
20%
6 hours
Median
90%
10%
75%
25%
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:
Reviewer 9759 - Grant Applicant - applied in 2023
This funder funds a large geographic area and a broad array of projects so I would suggest reaching out to their grant advisor to discuss your project.
Positive leader in the field, Gives more than money, Risk taker, Culturally sensitive, Insightful, Friendly, Builds relationships, Likes site visits, "Gets" nonprofits and issues, Openminded, Responsive
Minnesota
Grant currently pending
2023
Good
Good
Clear and efficient communication
5
Reviewer 8969 - Grant Applicant - applied in 2023
The grant writing portal is simple and straightforward to use. When I had a question, their Senior Community Impact Associate got right back to me and was friendly and encouraging. This was my first experience in grant writing and she made it a positive one.
Friendly, "Gets" nonprofits and issues, Responsive
Minnesota
Current or former grantee
Funded for amount requested
2023
Good
Good
6
Reviewer 8978 - Did not apply
Volunteering for a WI public school in need of technology for students during the initial phase of COVID, I was asked to make contact with the program officer. I first sent an introductory email, then made a call based on the response. The officer was very obliging and interested. When I got back to the school, it turned out that they had received an unexpectedly large gift that took all they had to figure out how to spend it. I regretted informing the funder since I looked forward to working with them.
Gives more than money, Culturally sensitive, Friendly, Builds relationships, "Gets" nonprofits and issues, Openminded, Responsive
Minnesota
Did not apply
2020
Good
They are very responsive and interested in finding a way to fund those who fit into very expansive areas of need in the region, which is expanding into new territory this year.
Good
They field 400+ different funds; they are busy redoing their website to make it both comprehensive and current.
Do not begin with a thorough reading and interpretation of the website: go directly to a call or email to the responsive program officer to get advice.
It is an excellent representative of an area foundation that focuses on gathering funds to serve actual community needs.
Searching for a way for your organization to be successful within the scope of their asset base.
0
Grant Applicant - applied in 2018
Rigid online format requirements can be difficult to comply with. With the small grants, the time required to gather, organize and input figures, both for grant requests and grant reports is excessive.
Positive leader in the field, Responsive
Minnesota
Current or former grantee
Funded for lesser amount
2018
Good
Staff are accessible and responsive.
Average
The process really overpowers the philanthropic spirit.
Allow for more flexibility in providing financial and donor data in alternate formats outside of the rigid online process. Being a returning grantee involved with several funds, it would be helpful to have more consolidation or shortened processes.
Communications and accessibility.
6
Grant Applicant - applied in 2018
Be prepared to be frustrated by their online portal's functionality. Also consider the amount of writing and reporting versus the amount of the ask before applying.
Bureaucratic, Risk averse
(Unknown)
Grant currently pending
2018
Average
Although responsive to requests for information, it has been difficult establishing a relationship as grant officers come and go.
Average
They could broaden impact by investing in training for board members and making more direct connections to donors for non-profits.
Streamline the application process, particularly for grantees that receive funding over multiple years.
It appears to be a "good 'ole boys/girls" club - probably most effective to find a board member with some connection to that circle before applying.
Host large banquets and award ceremonies.
8
Grant Applicant - applied in 2017
The DSACF is very approachable so I would recommend a call to chat about your project proposal.
Positive leader in the field, Culturally sensitive, Insightful, Friendly, "Gets" nonprofits and issues, Openminded, Responsive
Minnesota
Current or former grantee
Funded for amount requested
2017
Good
Good
More than 15
Grant Applicant - applied in 2017
I've applied to several of DSACF funds in the past two years, while representing two different non-profits, and have always received at least 75% of the funding I've asked for. I would advise reaching out to their Director of Community Philanthropy and nurturing relationships with their other staff, as well.
Friendly, Responsive
Wisconsin
Current or former grantee
Funded for lesser amount
2017
Good
Average
5
Grant Applicant - applied in 2017
Connect with staff first - the Director of Community Philanthropy is very responsive.
Builds relationships, Responsive
Minnesota
Current or former grantee
Funded for amount requested
2017
Good
Good
The financial forms are very time consuming in the online system. It would be great to be able to upload budgets, current/pending/approved grant requests, and past funding information instead of taking so much time to type all the information into individual fields.
They want to hear from whoever the top dog is at your organization, which can be frustrating for development staff. Use your ED/CEO or board chair on formal communications - even if you list another person as the contact they will still contact the highest level staff.
Builds relationships and is open to connecting with grantees.
More than 15
Reviewer 827 - Grant Applicant - applied in 2016
If you have any remaining grant funds on your project budget - even if you show other sources of revenue - they will request the surplus of funds to be returned to them. Make sure you depict your program budget as breaking even!
Doesn't "get" nonprofits and issues
Minnesota
Current or former grantee
Funded for lesser amount
2016
Good
Average
The Foundation does a great job supporting the fantastic work by nonprofits in their service area. Honestly what jeopardizes the impact of their philanthropy is how much work they put on grantees to apply, track, and report. They resist general operating funding, forcing nonprofits to "projectize" their work as a shiny new penny, which takes an incredible amount of time and energy that could otherwise be invested in supporting the needs of the community.
Make general operating, multiyear grants. They're incredibly important, especially for smaller nonprofits who don't have the resources to manage the development and reporting of project grants but who are doing integral work for our communities.
The staff are available to discuss cases for funding and troubleshoot throughout the process.
Reviewer 362 - Grant Applicant - applied in 2017
Very nice people but website is not well organized. Online application was cumbersome.
Culturally sensitive, Friendly
Minnesota
Applied and not funded
2017
Average
Average
I really don't know them well enough yet to answer .
Improve application and website.
No
Not sure
