Ordean Foundation: Catalyst Grant Program

The Ordean Foundation's Catalyst Grant Program offers one-time grants up to $20,000 to support community-driven projects that address emerging needs. Eligible organizations must be 501(c)(3) public charities serving Duluth and surrounding areas. The program prioritizes initiatives that align with the Foundation’s mission to alleviate poverty, focusing on basic needs and strategies to break generational cycles of poverty. Applications require a Proposal Summary and a full Proposal for those invited.

NOTE:
Letter of Inquiry - Complete a short quiz to determine if your organization is eligible to apply for a Catalyst Grant. Both new and returning applicants must begin the process by completing the Application Request Form. Eligibility. Please allow up to two weeks for Ordean to review your Proposal Summary and notify you of our decision to invite or decline a full application.Proposal - Organizations meeting eligibility criteria will receive instructions to submit a Proposal Summary (1,500 character limit).Full Proposal - If your project is compatible with Ordean’s mission and aligns with Catalyst grant funding priorities, we will send you instructions to access our online grant portal and complete the Catalyst grant application.
The Catalyst Grant Program is designed to quickly respond to emerging and unmet community needs. These one-time grants of up to $20,000 provide support for pilot projects, events, initiatives, capacity-building, program development, or capital needs.
The Ordean Foundation makes gifts to the community through grants to non-profit organizations. The Ordean Foundation’s focus on poverty is the core principle for the organization. We approach our mission both by supporting basic needs (food, shelter, clothing, heath care, and personal safety) and strategies to break generational cycles of poverty (social justice, youth development, education, and job training).

Eligibility

To be eligible for funding, proposals must be compatible with Ordean’s mission and must be submitted by organizations that are classified as a public charity with valid tax-exempt status under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code (organizations without legal tax-exempt status may apply through a fiscal sponsor).The Ordean Foundation awards grants to qualified organizations located in, serving, or directly impacting residents of the City of Duluth and/or adjacent communities in St. Louis County.

Ineligibility

Ordean grants may not be used for election campaigns, lobbying activities, or direct religious purposes. The Ordean Foundation does not make grants to private foundations or individuals.Proposals submitted by organizations not located in Duluth for projects or programs that duplicate services already provided by Duluth-based nonprofits will not be funded.