Twin Cities Grants Program

The C.H. Robinson Foundation's Twin Cities Grants Program, established in 2005, focuses on enhancing local communities through grants that support basic needs such as hunger, shelter, education, and workforce development. Organizations eligible for funding must be 501(c)(3) tax-exempt entities and serve the Minneapolis-St. Paul area. The program prioritizes initiatives that address food insecurity, provide housing solutions, and improve educational opportunities, ultimately aiming to foster a stronger, more resilient community.

Background
Robinson Foundation is a Minnesota nonprofit corporation as described in Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. The Foundation is funded by C.H. Robinson and creates a long-term resource for giving back to our communities through the support of other Section 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations. We work with a trust company that provides support to charitable organizations to provides checks and balances while ensuring compliance with Internal Revenue Service guidelines and corporate tax law.
Through general operating and program grants to organizations that address hunger, provide shelter, support K-12 education and develop workforce, the C.H. Robinson Foundation helps strengthen the greater metropolitan area of Minneapolis-St. Paul.
Giving Priorities
The C.H. Robinson Foundation Twin Cities Grants Program is focused on strengthening our local communities and supporting basic needs of hunger, shelter, education and workforce development.
To be considered for a Twin Cities grant from the C.H. Robinson Foundation, your charitable organization must meet one of our giving priorities:

• Hunger

Serving the local community through food shelves/pantries/banksProviding meal service or food programs targeted to specific needs of senior citizens, youth, people living with life threatening illnesses, etc.
Shelter
Providing transitional housing, permanent supportive housing and efforts to end chronic homelessnessOffering emergency shelter for those facing homelessness or domestic violenceSupplying essential household items and furniture for those in need
Education
Improving educational opportunities for k-12 for students facing barriers to successDeveloping youth to become successful, productive adults through core educational programmingSupporting systemic improvements to advance education outcomes for students, schools and educatorsCultivating talent for successful careers in supply chain and technology
Workforce Development
Strengthening pathways to quality jobs for low-income workersSupporting strategies that move low-wage workers into higher wage jobs including bridge, upskilling, and credentialingImproving the quality of low-wage occupationsBuilding the capacity of workforce and education organizations to prepare for the future needs of the labor marketAdditional consideration may be given for:Workforce development and talent pipeline initiatives for supply chain and logisticsWorkforce development and talent pipeline initiatives for technology

Eligibility

In addition to alignment with the focus areas listed above, your organization must meet the following criteria:Be a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt charitable organization, war veterans post or organization, cemetery company, or governmental unitShould not be political or religious in nature—grants to organizations with religious affiliation may be considered on an exception basis, but only if the grant will be used for non-religious purposesReligious organizations must provide a non-religious community service or program (e.g., school, food pantry, or homeless shelter), and the donation must be given for the purposes of this service or program. The service must be provided to people without regard to their religious belief, and persons served cannot be required to learn about religion or attend religious services to receive assistance.Some Section 501(c)(3) charitable organizations provide non-partisan services or programs regardless of political affiliation where persons served cannot be required to align with a political party to receive assistance and those programs are eligible for support from the Foundation.Not be a K-12 school (public, private, or charter)While the Foundation does not fund K-12 schools, we do fund organizations that ensure equitable access to education, out of school time programs, STEM education and youth mentoring. Other programs serving the educational needs of K-12 students may also considered.Serve the seven-county metropolitan area of Minneapolis-St. Paul