Mardag Foundation: System-Level Grants

Overview

Begun in 1969, Mardag Foundation has continued the legacy of its founder, Agnes Ober, who overcame poverty in her early life and whose charitable spirit led her to create a permanent means by which to give back to and strengthen her community. 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.

As our mission, Mardag Foundation supports Minnesota nonprofits to remove barriers and create opportunities for low income or traditionally marginalized children, youth and families; older adults with barriers to living independently; and to build capacity of organizations supporting the arts and humanities. Grant seekers should note that beginning in 2026, Mardag Foundation will move away from its Arts & Culture funding priority. 2025 will be the last year of funding in this priority area

Mardag Foundation offers two types of grants (beginning in 2026): System-level Grants and [Responsive Grants](). Beginning in 2026 organizations serving older adults will only be eligible in Mardag’s Responsive grant process.

System-level Grants

For our System-level Grants, the Foundation will be making fewer, but larger, multi-year general operating grants for select funding priorities. We anticipate opening the first System-level grant round early in 2026. Given the nature and length of these grants, we will be conducting site visits and anticipate the first set of these multi-year grants will be approved late in 2026.

Our goal for the System-level Grants is to:

* Support organizations and programs that provide pathways to affordable, quality housing and/or are addressing homelessness.
* Support organizations and programs that ensure access to food and address inequities in the food system.

Funding Priorities

* Systems change and/or direct service work to eliminate barriers and increase access to equitable housing opportunities for low-income immigrant/refugee or Native American/Indigenous children, youth and families in the East Metro and Greater Minnesota.

* Systems change and/or direct service work to eliminate barriers and increase access to culturally relevant, healthy, affordable food for low-income immigrant/refugee or Native American/Indigenous children, youth and families in the East Metro and Greater Minnesota.

Grants will be offered for general operating support or program support. Grant amounts will be up to $100,000 per year for five years

Eligibility

_You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website._

* Demonstrated commitment to the geography served with preference for organizations based in Minnesota
* 501(c)3 nonprofits, government entities, educational institutions, groups working through an eligible fiscal sponsor