Explore Partnership

Photo: Groundswell International

Depending upon the area of interest, we either extend a broad community invitation to submit a letter of inquiry or invite prospective partners to submit information. For 2023, the Foundation will be using the processes detailed in areas of interest below. We have one grantmaking cycle each year for all three grantmaking areas.

Northside Achievement Zone, Minnesota

Photo: Northside Achievement Zone

MPC Aquatennial

Photo: Mississippi Park Connection

Expanding Opportunities for Children and Families

Mortenson Family Foundation’s Expanding Opportunities for Children and Families 2024 grant application proposal opens  March 1st, 2024, and closes March 29th, 2024 at 4:00 pm CDT. Updated guidelines for the Expanding Opportunities for Children and Families can be found on our website here.

The application can be accessed through the Foundation’s online system here on March 1st. You may access a Word document with the proposal questions here. The rubric our committee will use to review and evaluate proposals here.

In addition, you are welcome to sign up to our Grant Information Sessions from February 22nd to March 21st 2024 here.  

FAQs for this grant round process can be accessed here.

Questions? Contact:

Sustaining Environmental Systems

Mortenson Family Foundation’s Sustaining Environmental Systems 2023 grant application proposals are now closed. 

Our following grant round process will take place in 2024. For your reference, our guidelines for Sustaining Environmental Systems can be found on our website here.

Questions? Contact:

OneVillage

Photo: OneVillage

Asili

Photo: Eastern Congo Initiative

Strengthening Developing Communities

The Foundation extends invitations to prospective partners to submit a proposal.

Questions? Contact:

Impact Investment

The Foundation considers Impact Investments in its areas of interest throughout the year. To see a list of questions we ask about investments, click here.

Questions? Contact:

Funding by Invitation

For interests that are outside of its three priority areas, the Foundation invites selected nonprofit organizations to participate in a separate funding process, typically twice a year. Invited organizations will receive information on the grant process directly from the Foundation.

Grant Application Process

The Mortenson Family Foundation uses Foundant, an online grant management system, to manage our grant and investment process. Foundant is optimized for the following browsers: Internet Explorer 9+, Chrome, Firefox, or Safari 5.1+. Learn how to register by viewing a Foundant tutorial

Photo: OneVillage

Grant Report Process

Mortenson Family Foundation requests that grant partners submit a report on progress toward achieving the goals, objectives, and outcomes identified in the funded proposal. Specific due dates are outlined in the grant award letter or specific reporting communication. Reports should be accurate, complete, and submitted on time.

To submit a report, click here.

Photo: Northside Achievement Zone

Accountability

Because we believe in accountability to community and grant partners, we annually measure grant process satisfaction, value of Foundation relationship, and community outcomes. For 2021, the Foundation found:

  • 88% of applicants were very or extremely satisfied with grants process
  • 88% of grant partners received value beyond the Foundation’s grant
  • 81% of grant partners met their stated goals

As a member of the Minnesota Council on Foundations, we embrace the grantmaking principles for Minnesota grantmakers.

Sign Up to Receive Funding Notifications

If you’d like to receive emails about future funding opportunities, please complete the request form below.

Photo: Groundswell International