Grotto Foundation Grant

The Grotto Foundation Grant focuses on enhancing the well-being of individuals and families through community-led initiatives in Minnesota. Organizations can apply if they address at least three of four key areas: Youth Development, Postsecondary Success, Community Safety & Neighborhood Development, and Mentoring. The Foundation invites selected organizations to apply, with grant decisions made three times a year, fostering sustainable solutions for local challenges.

NOTE: The Foundation does not have a formal letter of inquiry (LOI) process, and we do not generally accept unsolicited proposals for funding. If you have a program that incorporates at least three of the four areas below, please share it with us.
Organizations will be contacted if they have been selected to apply, but otherwise there is no opportunity to present an unsolicited proposal.
Our Board makes grant funding decisions three times a year. Once invited, organizations will receive information on the grant process and timelines directly from the Foundation.
Grotto Foundation seeks to improve the educational, financial, physical and social well-being of individuals and families by investing in effective nonprofit organizations throughout the state of Minnesota.
Focus Areas
We award grants to organizations that work in at least three out of the following four areas:

• Youth Development

Programs that provide experiences and activities to help youth develop personal values systems and social, emotional, physical, and cognitive competencies in order to achieve one's full potential.
Postsecondary Success
Any high-quality postsecondary credential or certification program that leads to workforce success as defined by individuals having the skills needed to secure living wage jobs with pathways to higher levels of pay, skill, responsibility or authority.
Community Safety & Neighborhood Development
Programs should incorporate community-led organizations, localized economic development, community leadership/leadership development and clear plans for sustainability.
Mentoring
Programs that promote both formal and informal mentoring relationships. Mentoring, when successful, can profoundly benefit all parties: the mentor, the mentee and the organization.