Borealis Philanthropy
Borealis Philanthropy is a public charity based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, formed in 2013. It directs resources to leaders, organizations, and movements building communities, with people most affected by injustice leading the work. It also works with donors to support movements through donor collaboratives.
Borealis Philanthropy at a glance
In short: Borealis Philanthropy gave $37.3M across 360 grants in 2024 (avg $104K), top state California. 34% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $37,308,475
- +17.8% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 360
- +8.8% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $103,635
- +8.3% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $80,000
- Total assets
- $78,225,705
- -9.8% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 34% first-time grantees (123 of 360, 2024)
- Primary geography
- California (26% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Borealis Philanthropy
- How to Apply
-
A program listing describes the Disability Inclusion Fund as inviting applications from organizations working for disability inclusion, rights, and justice, with awards of $25,000–$100,000. It directs applicants to review the program FAQ. The DIF x Tech Fund invites proposals focused on disability, justice, and technology. The Fund for Trans Generations Rapid Response Fund says it accepts requests on a rolling basis and that applicants should hear back in two to four weeks, with an application update within six to eight weeks. These listings do not establish that applications remain open as of October 2026.
- Deadline
- Rolling
- Contact
Mailing address: 400 S 4Th St Ste 410 Pmb 280267, Minneapolis, MN 55415-1419
Phone: (612) 224-9644
Website: https://borealisphilathropy.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
5 open opportunities from Borealis Philanthropy
Black-Led Movement Fund
Borealis Philanthropy
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
DIF x Tech Fund
Borealis Philanthropy
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
Disability Inclusion Fund Grant
Borealis Philanthropy
Amount
US $25,000 - US $100,000
Deadline
Deadline not published
Who Borealis Philanthropy funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Social and Environmental Entrepreneurs ($1.3M). Together the top 10 received $5.4M.
Grant Size Distribution
1,612 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was in the $100–250K range: 561 grants of 1,612 (35%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The 2024 grant filing shows recipients in multiple states. California received 26% of grant dollars, followed by New York at 9%, Washington, DC at 7%, Georgia at 5%, and North Carolina at 4%.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 360 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Borealis Philanthropy open to new grantees?
34%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 123 of 360 grantees (34%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $67K; repeat grants $123K. How we count
Medians: $31K first-time, $100K repeat.
- 51% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (+18%). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2020–2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $29.1M (2020) to $37.3M (2024). In 2024 it made 360 grants totaling $37.3M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Social and Environmental Entrepreneurs Calabasas, CA | To Support the Work of Fiscal Projects | $1,283,000 |
| Social Good Fund Richmond, CA | To Support the Work of Fiscal Projects | $988,000 |
| Hispanics in Philanthropy San Francisco, CA | To support the work of hispanics in philanthropy & fiscal project | $558,000 |
| Highlander Research and Education Center New Market, TN | To Support the Work of Fiscal Projects | $529,000 |
| Allied Media Projects Detroit, MI | To Support the Work of Fiscal Projects | $452,400 |
| Funders for LGBTQ Issues New York, NY | To support the work of funders for lgbtq issues | $329,000 |
| Tides Center Los Angeles, CA | To Support the Work of Community Justice Exchange | $329,000 |
| The Knights & Orchids Society Selma, AL | To support the work of the knights & orchids society | $321,000 |
| Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund Los Angeles, CA | To Support the Work of Fiscal Projects | $304,000 |
| Beyond the Bars Miami, FL | To Support the Work of Decarcerate Miami | $300,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Borealis Philanthropy?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
The organization files Form 990 as a public charity. Its EIN is 46-4598642.
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $78,225,705 | $42,473,306 | $54,652,165 | $37,308,475 | 360 | $1,193,539 |
| 2023 | $86,759,283 | $39,366,975 | $44,560,166 | $31,682,400 | 331 | $2,050,446 |
| 2022 | $88,580,581 | $37,532,996 | $45,590,858 | $35,955,638 | 332 | $354,807 |
| 2021 | $93,121,969 | $83,860,189 | $39,182,151 | $31,681,481 | 285 | $17,821 |
| 2020 | $46,728,380 | $50,610,882 | $36,411,224 | $29,068,812 | 304 | $138,157 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
Borealis states that it invests in leaders, organizations, and movements using diverse strategies to pursue transformational change, and aims to shift power and invest in communities through its work with funders and grantee partners.
The Black-Led Movement Fund supports the Movement for Black Lives and other values-aligned organizations working on policy agendas, alternatives to harmful institutions, and local Black community power. In 2024, the fund reported $7.3 million in general operating support grants, $839,000 in rapid response grants, and 121 grantee partners. The Disability Inclusion Fund supports grassroots leaders in the disability justice movement through policy advocacy, community organizing, art, and narrative change. Its 2024 highlights included $5.1 million in grants, $142,000 in response grants, and 75 grantee partners. The Racial Equity in Philanthropy Fund reported $6.1 million in 2024 grants and is scheduled to formally sunset in 2025. The Communities Transforming Policing Fund resources communities affected by deadly and discriminatory policing practices.
The 2024 grantees include fiscal sponsors and organizations working across social and environmental change, philanthropy, grassroots organizing, media, LGBTQ issues, and civil rights. Social and Environmental Entrepreneurs describes its mission as empowering and catalyzing projects addressing social and environmental matters; it received $1,283,000. Hispanics in Philanthropy, which received $558,000, says it mobilizes philanthropic resources to amplify community power and strengthen Latinx leadership. Highlander Research and Education Center, a $529,000 grantee, describes its work as supporting grassroots organizing and movement building in Appalachia and the South. Allied Media Projects, which received $452,400, says it cultivates media strategies for a more just, creative, and collaborative world.
Grantmaking
In 2024, Borealis reported 360 grants totaling $37,308,475. Grant amounts ranged from $6,000 to $1,283,000, with a median of $80,000. Among the largest grants were $988,000 to Social Good Fund, $329,000 to Funders for LGBTQ Issues, $321,000 to The Knights & Orchids Society, and $304,000 to MALDEF. Filing purposes identify the Social Good Fund grant as support for fiscal projects; the Funders for LGBTQ Issues grant as support for the organization; and the Knights & Orchids Society and MALDEF grants as support for their work.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Amoretta Morris as president; Jennifer Ching as board chair; Jeanne Bell as treasurer; and Charles Long, Ebony Harper, Inca Mohammed, Simran Noor (through March), Cara Reedy, Thena Robinson Mock, and Stephanie Fuerstner as directors.
Borealis Philanthropy is led by Amoretta Morris, President on every filing since 2021; 8 of 17 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Amoretta Morris
President
On filings since 2021
40 hrs/week
$168K (2021) → $254K (2024)
Jennifer Ching
Board Chair
On filings since 2021
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Randolph Miller
Managing Director
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$175K (2023) → $219K (2024)
Julia Beatty
Program Director
Program Officer → Program Fund Director, 2021
Program Fund Director → Program Director, 2023
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$144K (2020) → $164K (2024)
Rebecca Luxenberg
Director of Finance
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$136K (2020) → $164K (2024)
Winifred Olliff
Director of Operations
On filings since 2022
40 hrs/week
$171K (2022) → $170K (2024)
Carrie Coley
Director of Communications
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$153K (2023) → $178K (2024)
Maya Wiener Berkowitz
Director of Development
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$154K (2023) → $183K (2024)
Nnene J. Essien
Director of People & Culture
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$125K (2023) → $177K (2024)
Simran Noor
Director
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Charles Long
Director
On filings since 2021
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Ebony Harper
Director
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Inca Mohammed
Director
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Cara Reedy
Director
New on the 2024 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Stephanie Fuerstner
Director
New on the 2024 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Thena Robinson Mock
Director
New on the 2024 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jeanne Bell
Treasurer
On filings since 2021
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (21)
- Former: Garland Yates (2020–2023) — Secretary
- Former: Isabel Sousa-Rodriquez (2021–2023) — Director
- Former: Maya Wiener-Berkowitz (2021–2022) — Director of Development
- Former: Ryan Li Dahlstrom (2021–2022) — Director of Programs
- Former: Makkah Ali (2022) — Program Fund Director
- Former: Alexander Lee (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Alice Y. Hom (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Davida E. Arnold (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Elsa Holguin (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Jamila Brown (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Kate Barr (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Tony Tapia (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Alejandra Martinez (2021) — Program Fund Director
- Former: Jeree Thomas (2021) — Program Fund Director
- Former: Heidi Dorow (2020) — Director of Immigration in
- Former: Katayoon Majd (2020) — Director of Criminal Justi
- Former: Margarita Rubalcava - Left May (2020) — President
- Former: Maya Thornell-Sandifor (2020) — Director of Racial Equity
- Former: Monona Yin (2020) — Director of Impact & Learn
- Former: Rickke Mananzala - Left April (2020) — Vice President of Programs & Strategy
- Former: Tammea Tyler - Left July (2020) — Vice President of Operations & Finance
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $254K, to Amoretta Morris (President). 8 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Borealis Philanthropy
How much does Borealis Philanthropy give each year?
Borealis Philanthropy gave $37.3M across 360 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $31.7M across 331 grants.
What is Borealis Philanthropy's typical grant size?
Borealis Philanthropy's median grant in 2024 was $80,000, and its average grant was $103,635, across 360 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from Borealis Philanthropy that year got $67K on average.
Where does Borealis Philanthropy give grants?
Borealis Philanthropy's top state is California, with 26% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990. The next largest states were New York (9%) and District of Columbia (7%). The most frequent recipient cities were Washington, DC (22 grants), Atlanta, GA (19 grants), Oakland, CA (17 grants) and New York, NY (16 grants).
Does Borealis Philanthropy give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 360 grants with a stated purpose on Borealis Philanthropy's 2024 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "To Support the Work of Fiscal Projects" (20 grants).
Who are Borealis Philanthropy's largest grantees?
Borealis Philanthropy's largest 2024 grantees include Social and Environmental Entrepreneurs ($1,283,000), Social Good Fund ($988,000) and Hispanics in Philanthropy ($558,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. Together they received 8% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Borealis Philanthropy?
Borealis Philanthropy reported $78.2M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $42.5M.
What does Borealis Philanthropy fund?
Borealis states that it invests in leaders, organizations, and movements using diverse strategies to pursue transformational change, and aims to shift power and invest in communities through its work with funders and grantee partners. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Borealis Philanthropy?
A program listing describes the Disability Inclusion Fund as inviting applications from organizations working for disability inclusion, rights, and justice, with awards of $25,000–$100,000. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Borealis Philanthropy's EIN?
Borealis Philanthropy's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 46-4598642. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS July 30, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS October 5, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS July 18, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS September 9, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 3, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Borealis Philanthropy's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Borealis Philanthropy funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 9, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/borealis-philanthropy-morg_969957cdf6514d969d5c3c4d5c3baea3
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_464598642_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Borealis Philanthropy funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/borealis-philanthropy-morg_969957cdf6514d969d5c3c4d5c3baea3},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-09. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from Borealis Philanthropy's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
Borealis Philanthropy down — hundreds of funders to go?