Funding Amount

US $2,500 - US $20,000

Deadline

Deadline not published

Grant Type

Foundation

Deadline history & next window

Cycle
Rolling — applications accepted year-round
Tracked since
April 2026

From the program guidelines: “Requests for funding are accepted on a rolling basis via email.”

Can we apply?

Check your organization against each line. Taken from the listing; confirm with the funder's guidelines.

Geography

  • Located within and serving residents of Minnesota
  • Based in Minnesota

Required status

  • 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status
  • 501(c)3 nonprofits, government entities, educational institutions, groups with an eligible fiscal sponsor

Other requirements

  • An organization can only receive one Community Emergency grant at a time from Mardag Foundation and must wait a full calendar year before being eligible for another
  • Priority will be given to organizations that have not received a grant from this grant program in the last 18 months

Overview

The Mardag Foundation's Community Emergency Grant Program provides one-time funding to Food Access and Housing organizations in East Metro and Greater Minnesota. Grants help address urgent needs like natural disasters and unexpected repairs. Prioritizing organizations serving low-income populations, the program aims to fill financial gaps and supports equitable outcomes for marginalized communities. Preference is given to first-time applicants and those demonstrating commitment to the geography served. This initiative reflects the Foundation's dedication to community welfare and resilience.

Note:
All interested applicants are encouraged to make an initial contact by email to ensure that the grant program fits your needs.There is no formal application process for this program. Requests for funding are accepted on a rolling basis via email.
About Mardag Foundation
Mardag Foundation is a family foundation that for more than 50 years has focused on ways to engage with and invest in communities across Minnesota through nonprofit grants. The Foundation has evolved its grantmaking as community needs have changed, while staying true to our founder’s commitment to caring for those most in need.
The goal of our Community Emergency Grant Program is to support community-driven solutions to emergent needs in the East Metro and Greater Minnesota.
We offer one-time emergency grants to Food Access or Housing organizations that serve low-income children, youth, families and/or older adults, when those organizations are filling unexpected financial gaps in response to:

  • Natural and/or environmental disasters
  • Unexpected maintenance or repairs for buildings, vehicles, technology and/or equipment
  • Funding Priorities

Our Community Emergency Grant Program will only consider proposals from Food Access or Housing organizations that serve low-income children, youth, families and/or older adults in the East Metro or Greater Minnesota, filling an unexpected emergency financial gap in response to:

  • Natural and/or environmental disasters
  • Unexpected maintenance or repairs for buildings, vehicles, technology and/or equipment
  • Two-thirds of the Community Emergency Program funding will be allocated to Greater Minnesota, with the remaining one-third allocated to the East Metro.
  • Geography

Mardag Foundation makes grants to nonprofit organizations and public entities located within and serving residents of Minnesota. Our geographic focus is the East Metro (Dakota, Ramsey and Washington counties), as well as Greater Minnesota.

Eligibility

An organization can only receive one Community Emergency grant at a time from Mardag Foundation and must wait a full calendar year before being eligible for another
Priority will be given to organizations that have not received a grant from this grant program in the last 18 months
501(c)3 nonprofits, government entities, educational institutions, groups with an eligible fiscal sponsor
Demonstrated commitment to the geography served with preference for organizations based in Minnesota

What Mardag Foundation actually gave

Source: IRS Form 990-PF, 2024

Grants in 2024
117
Total given
$2.71M
Median grant
$25K
Range
$750–$50K
  • By dollars: Minnesota 100%. Top recipient cities: Saint Paul, MN; Duluth, MN; Minneapolis, MN.
  • 46% of grants with a stated purpose were for general or operating support.
  • 44% of recipients were new grantees, not repeat recipients.

Example grants

  • Bear Paws Cultural Art · Hinckley, MN

    General operations support

    $50K

  • Channel One Inc · Rochester, MN

    Channel one regional food bank

    $50K

  • Divine Konnections Inc · Duluth, MN

    Annie's house expansion phase 2

    $50K

  • Lakewood Health System · Staples, MN

    Senior-friendly fitness at the nest

    $50K

  • Northwoods Battered Womens Shelter Inc · Bemidji, MN

    Northwoods battered women's shelter capital campaign

    $50K

IRS Form 990-PF, 2024. Amounts as reported by the funder. Full 990 history →

Focus Areas & Funding Uses

Fields of Work

  • Food security
  • Housing
  • Hardship
  • Nonprofits

Categories

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