Propel Nonprofits
Propel Nonprofits is a Minneapolis, Minnesota–based public charity that supports nonprofits with guidance, expertise, and capital. Its work includes lending, fiscal sponsorship, capacity-building grants, accounting and finance services, strategic consulting, governance support, and training.
Propel Nonprofits at a glance
In short: Propel Nonprofits gave $4.3M across 84 grants in 2025 (avg $52K), mostly in Minnesota. 36% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $4,348,133
- +11.6% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 84
- -9.7% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $51,763
- +23.5% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $42,110
- Total assets
- $61,665,697
- +23.5% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 36% first-time grantees (30 of 84, 2025)
- Primary geography
- Minnesota (100% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Propel Nonprofits
- How to Apply
-
NIGP uses a competitive request-for-proposals process. For the 2023 round, applicants were required to have current 501(c)(3) status, be BIPOC-led and serving, and have a budget under $1 million. Propel says grantees must participate in the program and meet programmatic and financial requirements.
- Contact
Mailing address: 1 Se Main Street 600, Minneapolis, MN 55414
Phone: (612) 249-6700
Website: https://propelnonprofits.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
2 open opportunities from Propel Nonprofits
Who Propel Nonprofits funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Rooted to Last ($623K). Together the top 10 received $1.8M.
Grant Size Distribution
446 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 318 grants of 446 (71%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Propel is based in Minneapolis. Its 2025 grant data reports that 100% of grant dollars went to Minnesota recipients. NIGP is described as a statewide Minnesota program. Propel’s lending program says eligible applicants include Minnesota nonprofits, nonprofits in the adjacent states of Wisconsin, Iowa, North Dakota, and South Dakota, and Native nations sharing that geography.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 84 itemized grants.
Cities
Is Propel Nonprofits open to new grantees?
36%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 30 of 84 grantees (36%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $68K; repeat grants $43K. How we count
Medians: $47K first-time, $40K repeat.
- 56% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (+2%). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2019–2025). 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 2019 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $2.9M (2020) to $6.3M (2023). In 2025 it made 84 grants totaling $4.3M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Rooted to Last Eagan, MN | Fiscal Sponsorship | $623,250 |
| Good Trouble Minneapolis, MN | Fiscal Sponsorship | $212,423 |
| Residential Providers Association of Minnesota Minneapolis, MN | Fiscal Sponsorship | $185,550 |
| Spark Education St. Paul, MN | Fiscal Sponsorship | $151,120 |
| Rep Community Partners LLC Minneapolis, MN | Fiscal Sponsorship | $125,300 |
| Oneminnesotaorg Minneapolis, MN | Fiscal Sponsorship | $99,733 |
| Believe in What's Possible Minneapolis, MN | Fiscal Sponsorship | $97,620 |
| Memorialize the Movement Minneapolis, MN | Fiscal Sponsorship | $95,068 |
| Minnesotans for the American Community Survey Edina, MN | Fiscal Sponsorship | $94,749 |
| Afghan Cultural Society Minneapolis, MN | Nonprofit Infrastructure Grant Program, Community Asset Builder | $74,326 |
Ready to take the next step with Propel Nonprofits?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $61,665,697 | $23,001,187 | $12,567,668 | $4,348,133 | 84 | $628,780 |
| 2024 | $49,931,879 | $8,635,201 | $10,188,716 | $3,897,159 | 93 | $515,028 |
| 2023 | $44,298,816 | $9,328,353 | $12,331,034 | $6,295,416 | 107 | $147,712 |
| 2022 | $49,559,623 | $14,478,230 | $9,007,511 | $4,254,342 | 83 | $20,570 |
| 2021 | $40,479,076 | $8,344,774 | $7,474,313 | $2,920,302 | 79 | $15,487 |
| 2020 | $40,727,822 | $8,339,894 | $7,155,426 | $2,911,863 | 55 | $64,622 |
| 2019 | $38,277,659 | $8,147,322 | $7,479,100 | $3,448,529 | 71 | $25,344 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
Propel’s stated mission is to fuel nonprofit impact and effectiveness with guidance, expertise, and capital. Its services and programs include loans for working capital and facilities, fiscal sponsorship, accounting and finance assistance, strategic and governance consulting, training, and capacity-building grants.
The Nonprofit Infrastructure Grant Program (NIGP) supports small, culturally led organizations by funding infrastructure improvements. The program also offers grantees capacity-building services and technical assistance. Propel’s 2024 filing describes four active capacity-building initiatives in FY2025: Seeding Cultural Treasures, NIGP, CBI Target, and Rooted to Last.
Examples of supported organizations illustrate the range of missions represented among recipients. Tibyan Community Center says its mission is to help youth and families gain deep knowledge of Islam and teach others. Youth Leadership Initiative describes its mission as developing leaders prepared to build a thriving Twin Cities area and drive positive change in systems affecting youth. Greater Minnesota Worker Center says it provides workers’ rights education, health and safety training, and advocacy for low-wage workers.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, Propel reported 84 grants totaling $4,348,133. Grant amounts ranged from $7,000 to $623,250, with a median of $42,110. The largest listed grants included $623,250 to Rooted to Last, $212,423 to Good Trouble, $185,550 to Residential Providers Association of Minnesota, and $151,120 to Spark Education; each was listed for fiscal sponsorship.
Other listed awards included $74,326 to Afghan Cultural Society for the Nonprofit Infrastructure Grant Program and Community Asset Builder, $65,000 to Hope Health and Housing for the Nonprofit Infrastructure Grant Program, and $60,243 to Advancement of Hmong Americans for the Nonprofit Infrastructure Grant Program.
For NIGP, Propel announced a 2023–2025 round supported by a state appropriation, with $3.2 million awarded to 56 culturally led nonprofits. Its filing states that in FY2025 it awarded $2.2 million to 55 culturally led nonprofits through NIGP. The program’s stated eligibility includes small, culturally led nonprofit organizations serving historically underserved cultural communities. The 2023 application period ran from October 4 through October 26, 2023; the available information does not specify a current application deadline.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Henry Jimenez as president and CEO, Ellie O’Brien as vice president and CFO, Garrett Backes as chief advancement officer, Mario Hernandez as chief program officer, Naimo Farah as capacity building director, and Hibo Abdi as loan fund director. It also lists Kate Barr as president and CEO through March and Jonathan Brown as chief program officer through March. Scott Marquardt is listed as chair and Tamara Lowney as vice chair.
Propel Nonprofits is led by Kate Barr, President & CEO on every filing since 2019; 8 of 24 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Kate Barr
President & CEO
On filings since 2019
40 hrs/week
$163K (2019) → $72K (2025)
Henry Jimenez
President & CEO
President → President & CEO, 2025
On filings since 2024
40 hrs/week
$235K (2025)
Scott Marquardt
Chair
Board Member → Vice Chair, 2024
Vice Chair → Chair, 2025
On filings since 2019
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Hibo Abdi
Loan Fund Director
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
$107K (2025)
Courtney Colby
Director
Board Member → Director, 2024
On filings since 2019
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Heidi Christianson
Director
Board Member → Director, 2024
On filings since 2019
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jean Adams
Director
Board Member → Director, 2024
On filings since 2019
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Patty Pannkuk
Director
Board Member → Director, 2024
On filings since 2019
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Paul Babcock
Director
Treasurer → Secretary, 2022
Secretary → Director, 2025
On filings since 2019
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Sean Kershaw
Director
Chair → Past Chair, 2023
Past Chair → Director, 2025
On filings since 2019
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Gema Alvarado-Guerrero
Director
Board Member → Director, 2024
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Sanjeev Shah
Director
On filings since 2024
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Sook Jin Ong
Director
On filings since 2024
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Braxton Haulcy
Director
New on the 2025 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Dominic Papatola
Director
New on the 2025 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Ellie O'Brien
Vice President & CFO
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$74K (2023) → $158K (2025)
Mario Hernandez
Chief Program Officer
Director of Strategic Services → Chief Program Officer, 2025
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$103K (2023) → $132K (2025)
Garrett Backes
Chief Advancement Officer
On filings since 2024
40 hrs/week
$108K (2024) → $129K (2025)
Jonathan Brown
Chief Program Officer
On filings since 2024
40 hrs/week
$99K (2024) → $44K (2025)
Naimo Farah
Capacity Building Direcor
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
$105K (2025)
Sarah Clyne
Past Chair
Vice Chair → Chair, 2023
Chair → Past Chair, 2025
On filings since 2019
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Sony Malhotra
Treasurer
Board Member → Director, 2024
Director → Treasurer, 2025
On filings since 2019
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Tamara Lowney
Vice Chair
Board Member → Director, 2024
Director → Vice Chair, 2025
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Thomas Adams
Secretary
Board Member → Director, 2024
Director → Secretary, 2025
On filings since 2023
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (17)
- Former: Brad Kruse (2019–2024) — Director
- Former: David Mitchell (2019–2024) — Treasurer
- Former: Diane Tran (2019–2023) — Board Member
- Former: Marcus Owens (2019–2023) — Board Member
- Former: Elizabeth Topoluk (2020–2023) — Board Member
- Former: Glyn Northington (2022–2023) — Senior Program Director
- Former: Bo Thao-Urabe Left (2023) — Board Member
- Former: Gary Taverna Left (2023) — Board Member
- Former: Keven Ambrus Left (2023) — Vice President of Finance & CFO
- Former: Bo Thao-Urabe (2019–2022) — Board Member
- Former: Gary Taverna (2019–2022) — Board Member
- Former: Keven Ambrus (2019–2022) — Vice President of Finance & CFO
- Former: Janet Ogden-Brackett (2019–2021) — Vice President of Programs
- Former: Magui Rubalcava Schulman (2019–2020) — Board Member
- Former: Beth Topoluk (2019) — Treasurer
- Former: Curtis Klotz (2019) — Vice President of Finance & Chief Financial Officer
- Former: Greg Zeller (2019) — Chairperson
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $235K, to Henry Jimenez (President and CEO). 8 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Propel Nonprofits
How much does Propel Nonprofits give each year?
Propel Nonprofits gave $4.3M across 84 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $3.9M across 93 grants.
What is Propel Nonprofits's typical grant size?
Propel Nonprofits's median grant in 2025 was $42,110, and its average grant was $51,763, across 84 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from Propel Nonprofits that year got $68K on average.
Where does Propel Nonprofits give grants?
Propel Nonprofits gives mostly in Minnesota: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Minneapolis, MN (43 grants), St. Paul, MN (17 grants), Saint Cloud, MN (3 grants) and Maple Grove, MN (2 grants).
Does Propel Nonprofits give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 84 grants with a stated purpose on Propel Nonprofits's 2025 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Nonprofit Infrastructure Grant Program" (53 grants), "Fiscal Sponsorship" (15 grants) and "Seeding Cultural Treasurers" (7 grants).
Who are Propel Nonprofits's largest grantees?
Propel Nonprofits's largest 2025 grantees include Rooted to Last ($623,250), Good Trouble ($212,423) and Residential Providers Association of Minnesota ($185,550), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. Together they received 23% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Propel Nonprofits?
Propel Nonprofits reported $61.7M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $23.0M.
What does Propel Nonprofits fund?
Propel’s stated mission is to fuel nonprofit impact and effectiveness with guidance, expertise, and capital. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Propel Nonprofits?
NIGP uses a competitive request-for-proposals process. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Propel Nonprofits's EIN?
Propel Nonprofits's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 41-1916337. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(8)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS February 7, 2020)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS February 15, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS December 22, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS February 13, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS September 19, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS December 6, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS December 8, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2019–2025
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Propel Nonprofits's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Propel Nonprofits funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 11, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/propel-nonprofits-morg_2c9997b5f4424103b575b7c85a0e5ea1
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_411916337_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Propel Nonprofits funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/propel-nonprofits-morg_2c9997b5f4424103b575b7c85a0e5ea1},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-11. 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 Propel Nonprofits'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.
Propel Nonprofits down — hundreds of funders to go?