The Elmer L. & Eleanor J. Andersen Foundation Legacy Grants

The Elmer L. & Eleanor J. Andersen Foundation Legacy Grants

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: The Minneapolis Foundation
Amount: US $1,000 - US $3,000
Last Updated: November 25, 2025

Summary

The Elmer L. & Eleanor J. Andersen Foundation Legacy Grants, a part of the Minneapolis Foundation, has been enhancing lives since 1957 through family grantmaking. With a focus on arts, education, and social change, these grants support Minnesota organizations, particularly in the Twin Cities. They prioritize funding for operational projects rather than capital campaigns, ensuring community engagement and sustainability. Eligible applicants are 501(c)(3) nonprofits with requests typically between $1,000 and $3,000.

Overview

About Established in 1957, the Elmer L. & Eleanor J. Andersen Foundation strives to improve lives through effective family grantmaking. Now a Signature Fund of the Minneapolis Foundation, the Andersen Foundation continues to honor the legacy of its founders while investing in social change. The Andersen Foundation’s vision is to catalyze positive change by empowering people to contribute to a sustainable world encompassing thriving, livable communities. Their mission is to improve the quality of life through effective family grantmaking. Values: The Andersen Foundation embraces the democratic ideals of fairness, justice and opportunity for all. Broad civic engagement, realizing the full potential of people, builds sustainable communities of life. The Andersen Foundation is committed to carrying on the good works its founders began during their lifetimes. Legacy Grants Elmer and Eleanor Andersen supported a wide range of interests throughout their lives, including the arts and humanities, communications, education, environment, human services, and libraries. This grant program continues their legacy of investing in these community issues. Focus Areas: Arts and HumanitiesCommunicationsEducationEnvironmentHuman ServicesLibraries

Eligibility

You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website. The geographic focus of legacy grants is Minnesota, primarily the Twin Cities metropolitan area. In general, the Andersen Foundation provides support for general operations or projects rather than capital campaigns or endowments. Support is generally given on an annual basis. Organizations may apply once per year. Only nonprofit, IRS-determined 501(c)(3) organizations may apply. Although grants outside this range have been awarded, most successful applicants request an amount between $1,000 and $3,000.

Ineligibility

The Foundation does not provide support for: Individuals Health-related organizations Religious organizations for religious work Organizations with three consecutive declined requests Fundraisers, one-time events, dinners, or telephone solicitations