Management Improvement Fund Grant

The Management Improvement Fund Grant supports small to midsize nonprofits in Minnesota by providing up to $15,000 for technical assistance aimed at enhancing organizational capacity and nurturing BIPOC leadership. With a history of distributing $7 million to over 470 organizations since 1991, the fund prioritizes initiatives that benefit low-income communities and address pressing operational needs, fostering sustainable growth and community impact.

NOTE: The Management Improvement Fund accepts applications on a rolling basis and reviews applications quarterly. For 2025, applications submitted by the above deadlines will be reviewed each quarter.
THE MANAGEMENT IMPROVEMENT FUND, A SPECIAL FUND OF THE SAINT PAUL & MINNESOTA FOUNDATION, IS DEDICATED TO STRENGTHENING NONPROFITS’ INTERNAL OPERATIONS.
The Management Improvement Fund provides grants of up to $15,000 to small and midsize nonprofits across the state of Minnesota for technical assistance and consultation to:
Support new and vital capacity-building workExpand and improve organizational capacityNurture Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC) leadership in the nonprofit sector
Since 1991, the Fund has provided $7 million to more than 470 nonprofit organizations.

Eligibility

Funding will primarily be focused on organizations working in and serving the Twin Cities East Metro; however, West Metro and Greater Minnesota applications will be reviewed and considered on a case-by-case basis.Examples of activities funded include but are not limited to:Organizational assessment
Community healing circles and spaces
Planning and preparation work for receiving a 501(c)3 nonprofit status
Innovative approaches for groups working together to better serve the community
For BIPOC-led organizations: Leadership development and executive leadership coaching / skill building / training and mentoring for staff, board members and volunteersEligible Expenses: The primary use of a Management Improvement Fund grant is to pay for consultation fees or training expenses. A limited percentage of funds may be allocated to expenses related to the successful completion of the proposed work, including interpreters, stipends, childcare, transportation and staff time.Organizations and groups applying for a Management Improvement Fund grant are reviewed with the following criteria in mind:Organizations seeking to benefit the Asian American/Pacific Islander, Indigenous, Latinx and Black communities will be prioritizedNew/emerging BIPOC-led organizations will be prioritizedOrganizational annual operating budgets of $5 million or lessOrganizations must primarily serve low-income personsOrganizations that are not likely to undertake the effort without financial assistance from the FundTime and staff capabilities to commit to the consultation and to implement changes

Ineligibility

The Management Improvement Fund of the Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation will not consider grant requests for support of:Sectarian religious programs or organizations
Direct work of individuals
Organizations that are not classified as a 501(c)3 nonprofits or do not have a fiscal sponsor
Organizations exclusively serving the West Metro (Anoka, Hennepin, Carver and Scott counties)