Mary's Pence Grants
Funding Amount
Up to $4,000/year for up to 3 years
Deadline
Deadline not published
Grant Type
Foundation
Deadline history & next window
- Cycle
- Annual
- Tracked since
- April 2026
Source: the cycle recorded on this listing. Confirm dates with the funder.
Can we apply?
Check your organization against each line. Taken from the listing; confirm with the funder's guidelines.
Geography
- United States and Canada
Other requirements
- Organizational Budget: Must be below $200,000
- Focus: Organizations must demonstrate commitment to systemic change and social justice
- Values: Embody values of justice, dignity, and solidarity for cis women, trans women, and non-binary people
- Approach: Stand in solidarity with women on the margins through commitment to addressing and making long-term change around inclusivity and collaboration of issues related to social, economic, and racial justice
Overview
EIN: 36-3556481
Mary's Pence funds small organizations with a big vision for systemic change that benefits women and their communities. The organization has been funding women-led programs for over 30 years and was founded to direct funding to women-led programs serving women on the margins of society.
Award Amount
Maximum: $4,000 per year for up to 3 years
Geographic Scope
- United States and Canada
Eligibility Requirements
- Organizational Budget: Must be below $200,000
- Focus: Organizations must demonstrate commitment to systemic change and social justice
- Values: Embody values of justice, dignity, and solidarity for cis women, trans women, and non-binary people
- Approach: Stand in solidarity with women on the margins through commitment to addressing and making long-term change around inclusivity and collaboration of issues related to social, economic, and racial justice
Focus Areas
- Women's rights and women-led organizing
- Social justice (economic, racial, gender)
- Support for marginalized women including:
- Women of color
- Transgender and non-binary people
- Immigrant and refugee women
- Low-income women
- Justice-involved women
- Disabled women
- Young women and girls
Recognition
- 2019 Grantmaker of the Year Award from Grant Professionals Association (GPA) in the private sector category
- 100% rating on GrantAdvisor from past and current grantees
- Top 10 GreatFoundations in Minnesota (2020)
- 2017 Responsive Philanthropy Award from Minnesota Council of Nonprofits
Contact Information
Address: 275 4th Street East #642, Saint Paul, MN 55101-1651
Grants Manager Contact: Available via website
Grantee Examples (2020-2023)
Recent grantees include organizations focused on: immigrant rights, domestic worker justice, youth activism, housing justice, gender justice, LGBTQ+ support, disability justice, formerly incarcerated women reentry, and anti-trafficking work.
How to Apply
Application Process
- Learn About Requirements - Review eligibility criteria and application guidelines on website or attend application webinar
- Register for Application Webinar - Optional but recommended:
- Teleconference to learn about grant criteria and application process
- Q&A session with staff
- Contact Grants Manager if unable to attend
- Submit Application - Details of specific required materials not provided in available content
Key Information
- Application Portal/Contact: Visit maryspence.org for Grant Application information
- Grants Manager: Available for questions from prospective applicants
- Application Timeline: Accepts applications on rolling or periodic cycle basis (specific dates referenced: August 1, 2018 deadline mentioned in 2017 announcement)
Additional Support
- Staff provide personalized support and are responsive to applicant needs
- Known for partnership approach rather than transactional grantmaking
- Accessible and supportive interactions throughout process
What Mary's Pence actually gave
Source: IRS Form 990, 2025
- Grants in 2025
- 20
- Total given
- $161K
- Median grant
- $8,250
- Range
- $5,750–$15K
- By dollars: California 23%, New York 19%, Missouri 13%. Top recipient cities: St. Louis, MO; Richmond, CA; Olympia, WA.
- 100% of grants with a stated purpose were for general or operating support.
- 55% of recipients were new grantees, not repeat recipients.
Example grants
Social Good Fund · Richmond, CA
General support and capacity building
$15K
Power · Olympia, WA
General support and capacity building
$9,000
Democrashe · Los Angeles, CA
General support and capacity building
$8,250
Thistl · St Louis, MO
General support and capacity building
$8,250
Idaho Justice Project Inc · Boise, ID
General support and capacity building
$8,250
Focus Areas & Funding Uses
Fields of Work
- Women
- Nonprofits
- Grassroots
- Social justice
- Minorities
- BIPOC
- LGBTQ
Categories
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