F. R. Bigelow Foundation seeks to enhance the quality of life for all in the greater Saint Paul area, fostering a vibrant East Metro region. The Foundation partners, collaborates and invests in opportunities that seek to achieve racially and economically equitable outcomes in arts & culture, community & economic development, education & youth development, health, housing and human services.
A defining thread in Fr Bigelow Foundation’s recent giving is its support for East Metro leadership and collaborative infrastructure, including a $600,000 grant to Coalition of Asian American Leaders for Linking Leaders Partnership Support. That award sits alongside a $500,000 grant to Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation for the CollegeBound St. Paul Fund for the Future, showing a mix of community-wide initiatives and targeted capacity support. The foundation’s work centers on improving quality of life in greater Saint Paul through arts and culture, community and economic development, education and youth development, health, housing, and human services, with an explicit emphasis on racially and economically equitable outcomes. Its stated programs include general operating, program, and capital support, plus an invite-only multi-year line for systems change. Recent awards also point to place-based priorities in Saint Paul and surrounding East Metro communities, including neighborhood revitalization, housing access, and leadership development for BIPOC communities. The foundation also funds individuals.
In community and economic development, Fr Bigelow Foundation backed neighborhood infrastructure and place-based revitalization, including $250,000 to Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation for the East Metro Main Street Revitalization Program and $100,000 to Neighborhood Development Center Inc for Revitalizing Frogtown. In housing, it supported $75,000 to Frazier Recovery Foundation for a housing support grant. Arts and culture also appears as a recurring theme: the foundation gave $75,000 to Victoria Theater Arts Center for purchase and renovation and $100,000 to Playwrights Center Inc for the All Narratives Campaign. Youth and family support is visible in a $100,000 grant to Amherst H Wilder Foundation for Activate Opportunity: Wilder’s Campaign for Families.
Typical grant size is tightly clustered: the 25th percentile is $25,000, the median is $30,000, and the 75th percentile is $30,000. That pattern suggests a large number of grants at or near the same level, with some larger outliers for capital, partnership, and operating support. The foundation is a regular funder rather than a DAF, and it makes grants in a local geographic scope. Recent records show repeated support for the same organizations across multiple years, including Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation, Coalition of Asian American Leaders, Amherst H Wilder Foundation, Playwrights Center Inc, and Victoria Theater Arts Center. It also runs an invite-only multi-year systems change program and an unsolicited Community Solutions Grant Program.
$8.4M
$180.8M
$8.8M
$10.5M
Most grants fall between $25K and $30K, with a median of $30K.
25th Percentile
$25K
Median
$30K
75th Percentile
$30K
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Grant activity is overwhelmingly concentrated in Minnesota, with 98% of grants going to recipients in the HQ state. Within that footprint, Saint Paul appears most often, with additional awards in West Saint Paul, Minneapolis, and Cottage Grove. The foundation’s stated geographic scope includes the East Metro, Dakota County, and Ramsey County, and its partner rounds emphasize Minnesota with a focus on East Metro and Saint Paul. All recorded recipient-country activity is in the United States.
It funds organizations working in arts and culture, community and economic development, education and youth development, health, housing, and human services. The foundation also supports systems change, BIPOC leadership, and place-based work in the East Metro, with grant programs that allow general operating, program, and capital support.
The distribution is centered near the same level: p25 is $25,000, median is $30,000, and p75 is $30,000. That indicates many awards are made at $30,000, with smaller and larger grants appearing around that core amount.
No. Its giving is local and strongly concentrated in Minnesota, but the geographic scope includes the East Metro, Dakota County, and Ramsey County. Recent grants also went to Minneapolis, West Saint Paul, and Cottage Grove.
Yes, for several programs. The Community Solutions Grant Program accepts unsolicited applications, as do the Our Home State Grant Program and the BIPOC Leadership Grant Program. The Systems Change Grant Program is invitation-only.
Yes. Recent records show repeated support across multiple years for Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation, Coalition of Asian American Leaders, Amherst H Wilder Foundation, Playwrights Center Inc, and Victoria Theater Arts Center, which points to ongoing relationships rather than one-time awards.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| COALITION OF ASIAN AMERICAN LEADERS | SAINT PAUL, MN | $600,000 | 2025 | LINKING LEADERS PARTNERSHIP SUPPORT |
| SAINT PAUL & MINNESOTA FOUNDATION | SAINT PAUL, MN | $500,000 | 2025 | COLLEGEBOUND ST. PAUL FUND FOR THE FUTURE |
| SAINT PAUL & MINNESOTA FOUNDATION | SAINT PAUL, MN | $100,000 | 2025 | COMMUNITY SHARING FUND 2023 |
| SAINT PAUL & MINNESOTA FOUNDATION | SAINT PAUL, MN | $100,000 | 2025 | MANAGEMENT IMPROVEMENT FUND |
| SAINT PAUL & MINNESOTA FOUNDATION | SAINT PAUL, MN | $75,000 | 2025 | EAST SIDE FUNDERS GROUP - EAST SIDE WEALTH BUILDING |
| FRIENDS OF THE SAINT PAUL PUBLIC LIBRARY | SAINT PAUL, MN | $75,000 | 2025 | TRANSFORMING LIBRARIES CAPITAL CAMPAIGN |
| MONTESSORI TRAINING CENTER OF MINNESOTA INC | SAINT PAUL, MN | $75,000 | 2025 | MONTESSORI CENTER OF MINNESOTA: CAPITAL PROJECT |
| AMHERST H WILDER FOUNDATION | SAINT PAUL, MN | $75,000 | 2025 | CHILD DEVELOPMENT CENTER CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT GRANT |
| COMMUNITY DENTAL CARE | MAPLEWOOD, MN | $75,000 | 2025 | COMMUNITY DENTAL CARE |
| COMMONBOND COMMUNITIES | SAINT PAUL, MN | $75,000 | 2025 | 15000TORRE DE SAN MIGUEL REHAB: ENHANCED COMMUNITY SPACES |
| FILMNORTH | SAINT PAUL, MN | $75,000 | 2025 | FILMNORTH AT 2441 UNIVERSITY AVE. W., ST. PAUL |
| FAMILY VALUES FOR LIFE | SAINT PAUL, MN | $75,000 | 2025 | CAPITAL PROJECT TO SUPPORT PROGRAM EXPANSION |
| TWIN CITIES HABITAT FOR HUMANITY INC | SAINT PAUL, MN | $75,000 | 2025 | CREATING HISTORIC HOUSING IN THE HEIGHTS |
| MONTESSORI AMERICAN INDIAN CHILDCARE CENTER INCORPORATED | ROSEVILLE, MN | $75,000 | 2025 | MONTESSORI AMERICAN INDIAN CHILDCARE CENTER RENOVATIONS |
| REGIONS HOSPITAL FOUNDATION | SAINT PAUL, MN | $75,000 | 2025 | UPGRADE AND EXPANSION OF EMERGENCY CENTER ARRIVAL AREA |
| FRIENDS OF THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER | SAINT PAUL, MN | $75,000 | 2025 | OUR RIVER CAMPAIGN |
| HMONG AMERICAN FARMERS ASSOCIATION | WEST SAINT PAUL, MN | $75,000 | 2025 | INCREASING HMONG FARMERS' PRODUCTION CAPACITY AND WEALTH BUILDING WITH NEW PROCESSING FACILITY |
| 30000 FEET | ROSEVILLE, MN | $70,000 | 2025 | ARTS + TECH CENTER CAMPAIGN |
| AEON | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $50,000 | 2025 | FUNDING FOR MARY HALL |
| COMUNIDADES LATINAS UNIDAS EN SERVICIO INC | SAINT PAUL, MN | $50,000 | 2025 | CLUES EAST SIDE EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION CENTER AND BUSINESS INCUBATOR |
| COMUNIDADES LATINAS UNIDAS EN SERVICIO INC | SAINT PAUL, MN | $50,000 | 2025 | CLUES EAST SIDE EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION CENTER AND BUSINESS INCUBATOR |
| GALILEE EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH | ROSEVILLE, MN | $50,000 | 2025 | RICE STREET GARDENS |
| THE SANNEH FOUNDATION INC | SAINT PAUL, MN | $50,000 | 2025 | THE SANNEH FOUNDATION CAPITAL CAMPAIGN "BUILDING FOR TOMORROW" |
| LATINOLEAD | SAINT PAUL, MN | $40,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| AFRICAN AMERICAN LEADERSHIP FORUM | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $40,000 | 2025 | LINKING LEADERS GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| COALITION OF ASIAN AMERICAN LEADERS | SAINT PAUL, MN | $40,000 | 2025 | LINKING LEADERS GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| TIWAHE FOUNDATION | SAINT PAUL, MN | $40,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| CERENITY SENIOR CARE | SAINT PAUL, MN | $35,000 | 2025 | A ROOF OVER SENIORS' HEADS |
| HAZEL PARK CONGREGATIONAL UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST | SAINT PAUL, MN | $35,000 | 2025 | ASBESTOS REMOVAL, RECONSTRUCTION, AND WINDOW REPLACEMENT |
| CHILDRENS LAW CENTER OF MINNESOTA | SAINT PAUL, MN | $30,000 | 2025 | LEGAL ADVOCACY FOR YOUTH IN FOSTER CARE |
| FACE TO FACE HEALTH & COUNSELING SERVICE INC | SAINT PAUL, MN | $30,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| AMERICAN INDIAN FAMILY CENTER | SAINT PAUL, MN | $30,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT REQUEST |
| FAITH CITY CHURCH | SAINT PAUL, MN | $30,000 | 2025 | GW CARVER CENTER FOR INNOVATION COMMUNITY ABUNDANCE FUND |
| GREEN CARD VOICES | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $30,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING FUNDS |
| AMHERST H WILDER FOUNDATION | SAINT PAUL, MN | $30,000 | 2025 | SAINT PAUL PROMISE |
| DISCAPACITADOS ABRIENDOSE CAMINOS | SOUTH SAINT PAUL, MN | $30,000 | 2025 | FAMILY SUPPORT FOR CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES |
| CATHOLIC CHARITIES OF THE ARCHDIOCESE OF ST PAUL AND MPLS | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $30,000 | 2025 | EMERGENCY SHELTER AND SUPPORT SERVICES FOR PEOPLE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS |
| MIGIZI COMMUNICATIONS INC | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $30,000 | 2025 | 2023-24 CLAW |
| LATINOLEAD | SAINT PAUL, MN | $30,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| CHANGE INC | SAINT PAUL, MN | $30,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| CHINESE AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF MINNESOTA | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $30,000 | 2025 | CONNECTING WITH CHINESE DANCE |
| A BETTER ROAD FOUNDATION INC | SAINT PAUL, MN | $30,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATION SUPPORT |
| AIN DAH YUNG OUR HOME CENTER | SAINT PAUL, MN | $30,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT REQUEST |
| 1 DAY AT A TIME | SAINT PAUL, MN | $30,000 | 2025 | FALL CAPACITY BUILDING APPLICATION |
| CORPORATION FOR SUPPORTIVE HOUSING | PALATINE, IL | $30,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| EAST SIDE FREEDOM LIBRARY | SAINT PAUL, MN | $30,000 | 2025 | COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT FOR EQUITY |
| THE JP4 FOUNDATION | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $30,000 | 2025 | JP4 FOUNDATION 2024-2025 DIAMOND CLUB |
| NEIGHBORHOOD DEVELOPMENT ALLIANCE INC | SAINT PAUL, MN | $30,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| TEATRO DEL PUEBLO INC | SAINT PAUL, MN | $30,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| GREATER TWIN CITIES UNITED WAY | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $30,000 | 2025 | PATHWAYS HOME |
COALITION OF ASIAN AMERICAN LEADERS
$600,000LINKING LEADERS PARTNERSHIP SUPPORT
SAINT PAUL & MINNESOTA FOUNDATION
$500,000COLLEGEBOUND ST. PAUL FUND FOR THE FUTURE
SAINT PAUL & MINNESOTA FOUNDATION
$100,000COMMUNITY SHARING FUND 2023
SAINT PAUL & MINNESOTA FOUNDATION
$100,000MANAGEMENT IMPROVEMENT FUND
SAINT PAUL & MINNESOTA FOUNDATION
$75,000EAST SIDE FUNDERS GROUP - EAST SIDE WEALTH BUILDING
FRIENDS OF THE SAINT PAUL PUBLIC LIBRARY
$75,000Current and upcoming funding from Fr Bigelow Foundation that your nonprofit may be able to apply for.
Who can apply: Organizations and programs must provide pathways to affordable, quality housing and/or address homelessness. Collaborative effort of Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation, F. R. Bigelow Foundation, and Mardag Foundation.
Deadline: Applications accepted by late 2026.
TRANSFORMING LIBRARIES CAPITAL CAMPAIGN
MONTESSORI TRAINING CENTER OF MINNESOTA INC
$75,000MONTESSORI CENTER OF MINNESOTA: CAPITAL PROJECT
AMHERST H WILDER FOUNDATION
$75,000CHILD DEVELOPMENT CENTER CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT GRANT
COMMUNITY DENTAL CARE
$75,000COMMUNITY DENTAL CARE
COMMONBOND COMMUNITIES
$75,00015000TORRE DE SAN MIGUEL REHAB: ENHANCED COMMUNITY SPACES
FILMNORTH
$75,000FILMNORTH AT 2441 UNIVERSITY AVE. W., ST. PAUL
FAMILY VALUES FOR LIFE
$75,000CAPITAL PROJECT TO SUPPORT PROGRAM EXPANSION
TWIN CITIES HABITAT FOR HUMANITY INC
$75,000CREATING HISTORIC HOUSING IN THE HEIGHTS
MONTESSORI AMERICAN INDIAN CHILDCARE CENTER INCORPORATED
$75,000MONTESSORI AMERICAN INDIAN CHILDCARE CENTER RENOVATIONS
REGIONS HOSPITAL FOUNDATION
$75,000UPGRADE AND EXPANSION OF EMERGENCY CENTER ARRIVAL AREA
FRIENDS OF THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER
$75,000OUR RIVER CAMPAIGN
HMONG AMERICAN FARMERS ASSOCIATION
$75,000INCREASING HMONG FARMERS' PRODUCTION CAPACITY AND WEALTH BUILDING WITH NEW PROCESSING FACILITY
30000 FEET
$70,000ARTS + TECH CENTER CAMPAIGN
AEON
$50,000FUNDING FOR MARY HALL
COMUNIDADES LATINAS UNIDAS EN SERVICIO INC
$50,000CLUES EAST SIDE EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION CENTER AND BUSINESS INCUBATOR
COMUNIDADES LATINAS UNIDAS EN SERVICIO INC
$50,000CLUES EAST SIDE EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION CENTER AND BUSINESS INCUBATOR
GALILEE EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH
$50,000RICE STREET GARDENS
THE SANNEH FOUNDATION INC
$50,000THE SANNEH FOUNDATION CAPITAL CAMPAIGN "BUILDING FOR TOMORROW"
LATINOLEAD
$40,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
AFRICAN AMERICAN LEADERSHIP FORUM
$40,000LINKING LEADERS GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
COALITION OF ASIAN AMERICAN LEADERS
$40,000LINKING LEADERS GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
TIWAHE FOUNDATION
$40,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
CERENITY SENIOR CARE
$35,000A ROOF OVER SENIORS' HEADS
HAZEL PARK CONGREGATIONAL UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST
$35,000ASBESTOS REMOVAL, RECONSTRUCTION, AND WINDOW REPLACEMENT
CHILDRENS LAW CENTER OF MINNESOTA
$30,000LEGAL ADVOCACY FOR YOUTH IN FOSTER CARE
FACE TO FACE HEALTH & COUNSELING SERVICE INC
$30,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
AMERICAN INDIAN FAMILY CENTER
$30,000GENERAL SUPPORT REQUEST
FAITH CITY CHURCH
$30,000GW CARVER CENTER FOR INNOVATION COMMUNITY ABUNDANCE FUND
GREEN CARD VOICES
$30,000GENERAL OPERATING FUNDS
AMHERST H WILDER FOUNDATION
$30,000SAINT PAUL PROMISE
DISCAPACITADOS ABRIENDOSE CAMINOS
$30,000FAMILY SUPPORT FOR CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES
CATHOLIC CHARITIES OF THE ARCHDIOCESE OF ST PAUL AND MPLS
$30,000EMERGENCY SHELTER AND SUPPORT SERVICES FOR PEOPLE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS
MIGIZI COMMUNICATIONS INC
$30,0002023-24 CLAW
LATINOLEAD
$30,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
CHANGE INC
$30,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
CHINESE AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF MINNESOTA
$30,000CONNECTING WITH CHINESE DANCE
A BETTER ROAD FOUNDATION INC
$30,000GENERAL OPERATION SUPPORT
AIN DAH YUNG OUR HOME CENTER
$30,000GENERAL SUPPORT REQUEST
1 DAY AT A TIME
$30,000FALL CAPACITY BUILDING APPLICATION
CORPORATION FOR SUPPORTIVE HOUSING
$30,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
EAST SIDE FREEDOM LIBRARY
$30,000COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT FOR EQUITY
THE JP4 FOUNDATION
$30,000JP4 FOUNDATION 2024-2025 DIAMOND CLUB
NEIGHBORHOOD DEVELOPMENT ALLIANCE INC
$30,000GENERAL OPERATING
TEATRO DEL PUEBLO INC
$30,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
GREATER TWIN CITIES UNITED WAY
$30,000PATHWAYS HOME
Who can apply: More information will be available in summer 2026. The program supports organizations, programs and initiatives focused on advancing the leadership of Black, Indigenous and/or People of Color (BIPOC) in the region.
Deadline: Applications accepted by late 2026.
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