11 survey respondents
Location: 101 5th St E Ste 2400, Saint Paul, 55101 MN
EIN: 41-6031510
91%
9%
11 hours
Median
89%
11%
94%
6%
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 2023
I love working with St. Paul & Minnesota Foundation. They are very in tune with the nonprofits they fund and continually work to make a positive impact that aligns with relevant and important social issues.
Positive leader in the field, Gives more than money, Culturally sensitive, Insightful, Friendly, Builds relationships, "Gets" nonprofits and issues, Openminded, Responsive
Minnesota
Current or former grantee
Funded for amount requested
2023
Good
I always get a response within a few business days when I contact this organization. They are responsive to questions and open to meeting new potential grantees.
Good
They are very thoughtful, and good stewards of the funds they distribute. The organization is continually learning about where the greatest needs are in the nonprofit and social landscape. The adjustments they make can lead to making the east metro stronger.
Adapting to changing societal needs.
5
Thank you for your review! We appreciate this opportunity to hear from grant applicants. Our goal is to create a grantmaking process that is transparent, accessible and equitable. We are glad to hear that you had a positive experience. Your feedback allows us to learn and continuously improve our approach.
Reviewer 827 - Grant Applicant - applied in 2020
Having an initial conversation with a program officer is a crucial first step on the path to receiving funding, and yet it's been exceptionally difficult to connect with the program team over the past six months.
Difficult to work with, Bureaucratic
Minnesota
Current or former grantee
Funded for amount requested
2020
Bad
We were able to successfully connect with a program officer about 6-7 months ago, and then when we followed up on a few items via email we received no response. Our team has sent at least four emails over the past six months and received no response. We also tried calling the program officer to ensure there wasn't something wrong with the email system, and have yet to receive a response.
Good
New leadership at the c-suite level is bringing exciting changes, such as the consideration of general operating support, multi-year funding, etc. Now more than ever nonprofits need this level of flexibility and long-term investment in our work.
Invest in making foundation staff accessible to the community.
30
Thank you for your review. We appreciate this opportunity to hear from grantseekers and we take your feedback seriously.
The Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation seeks to maintain a high level of availability for grantseekers. We apologize that this was not your experience with members of our Grants Team. We will share this review with our Grants Team and examine our procedures, including how we should communicate with grantseekers, to identify what went wrong.
Please reach out to us at [email protected] so that we can be sure that your information is going to a current member of our Grants Team (we have had some recent transitions). We will get back to you quickly upon receiving your email.
Reviewer 730 - Grant Applicant - applied in 2016
Mission priorities are clear and the application process is thorough but easily followed - just be sure to allow time. As with all grantors, it's important to contact the program staff before applying and discuss your needs. Saint Paul Foundation is staffed by Minnesota Philanthropy Partners, and the grant officers there have been responsive to phone inquiries and open conversations prior to application.
Positive leader in the field, Culturally sensitive, Insightful, Friendly, Builds relationships, Likes site visits, "Gets" nonprofits and issues, Openminded, Responsive
Minnesota
Current or former grantee
Funded for amount requested
2016
Good
Average
I support the Big Audacious Goal, but it does make it harder to accomplish. Some of the goals Saint Paul Foundation talks about include hard and long-term equity work, and it's hard to say the community is making the impact in these areas that we need. It will have be a VERY long game indeed at this rate. Perhaps new investment from Kellogg will help.
Good moves to talk about general operating support again, and more moves in that direction is really what long-term change will require in the equity areas.
GREAT staff. Don't equivocate - give you frank, supportive advice, including when an application really has very little chance.
10
Thank you for the review!
Reviewer 253 - Grant Applicant - applied in 2017
Everything with The Saint Paul Foundation is straightforward. Most everything you will need is on their webpage and if you have questions the staff is very helpful and approachable.
Positive leader in the field, Culturally sensitive, Builds relationships, "Gets" nonprofits and issues, Openminded, Responsive
Minnesota
Current or former grantee
Other
2017
Good
Very successful.
Good
We applied for a second year of funding for a pilot project.
Once you are approved for funding they let you know exactly what is expected of you. Very straightforward.
10 to 15 hours
Thank you for the review!
Reviewer 515 - Grant Applicant - applied in 2016
Must connect with a program officer to discuss proposal concept before submitting. Usually doesn't provide funding annually; have to take a year off. East metro focused.
Risk taker, Culturally sensitive, Insightful, Friendly, Builds relationships, "Gets" nonprofits and issues, Openminded, Responsive
Minnesota
Current or former grantee
Funded for lesser amount
2016
Good
Program officer is very accessible and helpful. Email or call to chat through organizational fit and proposal ideas.
Good
Launched a new online application system not that long ago - it is pretty simple and straightforward! If new to the online system, register your organization early to get access to application.
Gives honest feedback about proposal ideas prior to submitting
5 to 10 hours
Thank you for the review.
Reviewer 970 - Grant Applicant
Meet with program officer in advance to discuss the idea and see if there is a good fit. They have a good focus on racial justice and on capacity building and the staff are good at answering questions.
Positive leader in the field, Gives more than money, Culturally sensitive, Insightful, Builds relationships, Responsive
Current or former grantee
5 to 10 hours
Thank you for the review!
Reviewer 853 - Grant Applicant
It's definitely a good idea to have a conversation before applying. MN Philanthropy Partners includes F.R. Bigelow and Mardag Foundations as well as The St Paul Foundation. All 3 proposals are the same - and it may be possible to propose a single program/project to all three at the same time.
Positive leader in the field, Culturally sensitive, Builds relationships
Current or former grantee
More than 15
Thank you for the review! This is very good advice.
Reviewer 921 - Grant Applicant - applied in 2016
The process is quite intense and time-consuming to complete a grant. That said, they have funded us for capacity building grants that were much-needed. I wonder if we should have asked them to cover more of the capacity cost and if we had, whether we would have received it.
Positive leader in the field, Culturally sensitive, Friendly, "Gets" nonprofits and issues
Minnesota
Current or former grantee
Funded for amount requested
2016
Good
Every time we called, the Grant Manager/Administrator was available to answer questions. Very friendly. Call ahead.
Good
This funder is focused on racial equity, opportunities for all people living in the metro area. I believe they do an excellent job at reaching this goal by aligning their funds to the community needs. Without money, we will not meet the lofty goal to close the educational, income and opportunity gaps that exist for persons from non-Western backgrounds.
Simplify the grant-making process or at least standardize it with the other members of MN Philanthropy Partners.
Setting a vision for equity and opportunity for the East Metro.
10 to 15 hours
Thank you for the review! We acknowledge your limited resources to devote to grant applications and appreciate that you felt it worthwhile to partner with us. We encourage you to follow up with the appropriate program officer throughout the life of your grant so they get a better understanding of your needs and approach.
Reviewer 494 - Grant Applicant - applied in 2016
Very responsive to questions.
Culturally sensitive, Friendly, Builds relationships, Responsive
Minnesota
Current or former grantee
Funded for amount requested
2016
Good
Good
This funder supports capacity building which is rare and incredibly important for organizations.
Clear guidelines on the website.
Thank you for the review!
Grant Applicant - applied in 2016
Very responsive to questions.
Culturally sensitive, Friendly, Builds relationships, Responsive
Minnesota
Current or former grantee
Funded for amount requested
2016
Good
Good
This funder supports capacity building which is rare and incredibly important for organizations.
Clear guidelines on the website.
Thank you for the review!
