Propel Nonprofits is a 501(c)(3) public charity based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, established in 1998. The organization was created from the merger of MAP for Nonprofits and Nonprofits Assistance Fund, combining expertise in strategy, governance, and finance. Propel operates as a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) certified by the U.S. Treasury, providing a holistic range of services to strengthen the nonprofit sector.
Financial Overview
From 2025 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$61.7M
+23.5% YoY
Annual Giving
$4.3M
+11.6% YoY
Grant Count
84
-9.7% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$52K
+23.5% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
Mission: Fuel the impact and effectiveness of nonprofits with guidance, expertise, and capital.
Propel Nonprofits serves nonprofits across multiple sectors including health care, human services, arts and humanities, charter schools, community development, and affordable housing. The organization's primary focus areas include:
- Lending – Capital access for nonprofit growth and stability
- Fiscal Sponsorship – Support for emerging organizations and mission-driven projects
- Accounting & Finance – Financial leadership and decision-level data
- Strategic Consulting – Organizational strategy and planning
- Board Governance – Board development and governance support
- Training & Capacity Building – Skills development and knowledge sharing
- Leaders Circles® – Peer learning and professional development
- Nonprofit Infrastructure Grants – Support for organizational capacity
Grantmaking
In fiscal year 2025, Propel Nonprofits made **73 new loans totaling $17,120,090** to nonprofit organizations. Loan sizes range from $5,000 to $1.2 million. The organization also leveraged an additional $5.1 million in funds through partnerships with other capital providers.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Propel Nonprofits primarily serves nonprofits in Minnesota, with a particular emphasis on the Minneapolis area. The organization is a supporting organization of the Minneapolis Foundation.
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of Fiscal Year 2025 (ending March 31, 2025):
| Metric | Amount |
|---|---|
| Total Assets | $61,665,697 |
| Total Revenue | $23,001,187 |
| Total Expenses | $12,567,668 |
| Total Liabilities | $34,600,000 |
| Total Giving | $4,354,377 |
Staffing: 39 employees (as of 2025)
Charity Rating: Propel Nonprofits holds an 88% rating (Three-Star charity), with strong performance in Accountability & Finance.
| Metric | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $61,665,697 | $49,931,879 | $44,298,816 |
| Revenue | $23,001,187 | $8,635,201 | $9,328,353 |
| Expenses | $12,567,668 | $10,188,716 | $12,331,034 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $628,780 | $515,028 | $147,712 |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
Grant Size Distribution
150 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
2 open opportunities from Propel Nonprofits
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2025 grants, the largest include Rooted to Last ($623,250), Good Trouble ($212,423), Residential Providers Association of Minnesota ($185,550).
| 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 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Key executives mentioned include:
- Sarah Bauer Jackson – Portfolio Director
- Garrett Backes – Chief Advancement Officer
- Leah Porter – Strategic Services Director
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
From 2025 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| HENRY JIMENEZ | PRESIDENT AND CEO | 40 | $235,410 |
| ELLIE O'BRIEN | VICE PRESIDENT & CFO | 40 | $157,637 |
| GARRETT BACKES | CHIEF ADVANCEMENT OFFICER | 40 | $129,480 |
| MARIO HERNANDEZ | CHIEF PROGRAM OFFICER | 40 | $131,915 |
| NAIMO FARAH | CAPACITY BUILDING DIRECOR | 40 | $104,873 |
| HIBO ABDI | LOAN FUND DIRECTOR | 40 | $107,360 |
| KATE BARR | PRESIDENT AND CEO (THROUGH MARCH) | 40 | $71,764 |
| JONATHAN BROWN | CHIEF PROGRAM OFFICER (THROUGH MARCH) | 40 | $44,032 |
| SCOTT MARQUARDT | CHAIR | 3 | — |
| TAMARA LOWNEY | VICE CHAIR | 2 | — |
| SONY MALHOTRA | TREASURER | 3 | — |
| THOMAS ADAMS | SECRETARY | 3 | — |
| SARAH CLYNE | PAST CHAIR | 3 | — |
| GEMA ALVARADO-GUERRERO | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| PATTY PANNKUK | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| COURTNEY COLBY | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| HEIDI CHRISTIANSON | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| JEAN ADAMS | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| PAUL BABCOCK | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| SEAN KERSHAW | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| BRAXTON HAULCY | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| DOMINIC PAPATOLA | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| SOOK JIN ONG | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| SANJEEV SHAH | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
Propel Nonprofits launched the **Community Asset Builder loan program** to ensure nonprofits led by Black people, Indigenous people, and/or people of color can acquire or renovate their own facilities and properties.
[PDF] Fiscal Year - Propel NonprofitsThe organization announced **$3.2 million in grants for small, culturally led nonprofits**, reflecting a commitment to supporting historically underserved organizations in the nonprofit sector.
United Way awards $130,000 in capacity grants to strengthen nonprofit sector\In fiscal year 2025, Propel Nonprofits engaged with 577 nonprofit organizations across 730 engagements, demonstrating significant sector reach and impact.
[PDF] Fiscal Year - Propel NonprofitsSubject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Propel Nonprofits fund?
**Mission:** Fuel the impact and effectiveness of nonprofits with guidance, expertise, and capital. Propel Nonprofits serves nonprofits across multiple sectors including health care, human services, arts and humanities, charter schools, community development, and affordable housing. The organization's primary focus areas include: • **Lending** – Capital access for nonprofit growth and stability • **Fiscal Sponsorship** – Support for emerging organizations and mission-driven projects • **Account…
How do I apply for a grant from Propel Nonprofits?
In fiscal year 2025, Propel Nonprofits made **73 new loans totaling $17,120,090** to nonprofit organizations. Loan sizes range from $5,000 to $1.2 million. The organization also leveraged an additional $5.1 million in funds through partnerships with other capital providers. **Grant Award Ranges:** Historical data indicates typical awards range from $5,035 to $632,701. **Recent Grant Activity:** Propel Nonprofits announced **$3.2 million in grants for small, culturally led nonprofits**, supporti…
Where does Propel Nonprofits make grants?
Propel Nonprofits primarily serves nonprofits in **Minnesota**, with a particular emphasis on the Minneapolis area. The organization is a supporting organization of the Minneapolis Foundation.
What size grants does Propel Nonprofits award?
In 2025, Propel Nonprofits awarded 84 grants totaling $4.3M — an average of about $52K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
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.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Propel Nonprofits's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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