Working with schools, families, and communities to ensure that every child attends an excellent and equitable school.
Great Mn Schools centers its funding on Minneapolis and the broader Twin Cities through multi-year school improvement partnerships. A defining feature of the foundation’s grantmaking is its portfolio model: schools develop customized three-year Good to Great Success Plans and receive funding, guidance, and strategic interventions to strengthen leadership, operations, and governance. The largest recent grant in the record is $230,000 to Prodeo Academy in Columbia Heights for fiscal year investment, followed by $100,000 to National Parents Union and $100,000 to Cristo Rey Jesuit High School. Those awards sit alongside repeated support for schools and community organizations working with families, educators, and students in Minnesota. Recent recipients include New City School, Lead the Way Mn, Urban Ventures Leadership Foundation, Northeast College Prep, and Way to Grow. The foundation also maintains a direct-response Emergency Student Connectivity Fund for Minneapolis schools serving students affected by immigration enforcement, linking technology access with learning and mental health recovery support. Across its active programs, Great Mn Schools combines operating support, planning assistance, and implementation help rather than one-time project grants alone.
In school improvement, Great Mn Schools funds portfolio schools to build and execute three-year Good to Great Success Plans. Recent examples include $100,000 to Cristo Rey Jesuit High School and $88,000 to New City School, both in Minneapolis. The foundation also supports leadership development through the Leadership Accelerator, an 18-month, cohort-based program that starts with diagnostic review and moves into planning and implementation support. Community and family engagement is another visible thread: it gave $100,000 to National Parents Union and $40,000 to Mn Parent Union, indicating attention to parent voice alongside school-based work. Its recent grants also include support for organizations such as Centro Tyrone Guzman and Way to Grow, which appear in the grant record more than once.
Great Mn Schools’ typical grant size sits at a p25 of $20,625, a median of $30,000, and a p75 of $43,750. The recent record shows repeated awards to the same organizations across 2024 and 2025, including Centro Tyrone Guzman, Lead the Way Mn, Cristo Rey Jesuit High School, Way to Grow, National Parents Union, and Ed Allies, which points to recurring relationships rather than isolated gifts. It is a regular funder and does not make program-related investments or grants to individuals. Most of its grantmaking is tied to active school-support programs, and one exception is the Emergency Student Connectivity Fund, which accepts unsolicited requests.
$1.1M
$216K
$5.3M
$5.8M
Most grants fall between $21K and $44K, with a median of $30K.
25th Percentile
$21K
Median
$30K
75th Percentile
$44K
JEN STERN
Sign up for a free Kindora account to access AI-generated insights into this funder's giving patterns, decision-makers, and fit signals.
Get Started FreeFree Kindora accounts unlock side-by-side comparisons with foundations that share this funder's focus areas and giving profile.
Get Started FreeSign up free to see how well your nonprofit fits this funder, get an AI-generated pitch, and unlock similar foundations.
Grantmaking is overwhelmingly local and concentrated in Minnesota: 92% of grants go to recipients in the foundation’s HQ state. Minneapolis is the main recipient city, with additional awards in Columbia Heights, New Brighton, and St. Paul. The recipient country distribution is entirely U.S.-based, with 38 grants in the United States and no non-U.S. countries in the record. Recent Minnesota recipients also include organizations serving the Twin Cities area, reinforcing a strong metropolitan focus.
Great Mn Schools funds schools and education-related organizations tied to K-12 education, literacy, family engagement, school improvement, educational equity, and community partnerships. Recent grants include schools, parent organizations, and community groups in Minneapolis and nearby Minnesota cities.
Yes. Its School Improvement and Good to Great School Improvement programs are built around customized three-year Good to Great Success Plans, and the Leadership Accelerator is an 18-month cohort program that supports planning and implementation.
The typical grant size is $20,625 at the 25th percentile, $30,000 at the median, and $43,750 at the 75th percentile. Recent awards in the record range from smaller direct-support grants to six-figure investments.
Only the Emergency Student Connectivity Fund accepts unsolicited requests. The school improvement and Leadership Accelerator programs are portfolio-based and do not accept unsolicited applications.
Its grantmaking is concentrated in Minnesota, with 92% of grants going to recipients in the HQ state. Minneapolis receives the largest share of awards, along with smaller numbers in Columbia Heights, New Brighton, and St. Paul.
2026
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2026.
Current and upcoming funding from Great Mn Schools that your nonprofit may be able to apply for.
Who can apply: Organizations should support underserved families' ability to navigate K-12 systems and advocate for their children. The partner form asks how many families the organization serves and what it hopes to partner on.
Who can apply: Schools must serve at least 40% students eligible for Free and Reduced Lunch and be working to strengthen key conditions for growth and success.
Track these deadlines, get reminders, and see how well your nonprofit fits — free with a Kindora account.
Create a free accountDeadlines and eligibility are summarized from public sources and may change — always confirm the details on the funder's official application page before applying.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PRODEO ACADEMY | COLUMBIA HEIGHTS, MN | $315,000 | 2026 | FISCAL YEAR INVESTMENT |
| HENNEPIN SCHOOLS | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $110,000 | 2026 | FISCAL YEAR INVESTMENT |
| GLOBAL ACADEMY | NEW BRIGHTON, MN | $62,100 | 2026 | FISCAL YEAR INVESTMENT |
| CRISTO REY JESUIT HIGH SCHOOL | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $55,000 | 2026 | FISCAL YEAR INVESTMENT |
| LEAD THE WAY MN | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $50,000 | 2026 | FISCAL YEAR INVESTMENT |
| CENTRO TYRONE GUZMAN | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $47,500 | 2026 | FISCAL YEAR INVESTMENT |
| LITTLE EARTH RESIDENTS ASSOCIATION | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $35,000 | 2026 | FISCAL YEAR INVESTMENT |
| STANDING TOGETHER AND NEVER DIVIDED UP MINNESOTA PARENTS UNITED | SAINT PAUL, MN | $35,000 | 2026 | FISCAL YEAR INVESTMENT |
| URBAN VENTURES LEADERSHIP FOUNDATION | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $30,000 | 2026 | FISCAL YEAR INVESTMENT |
| ED ALLIES | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $30,000 | 2026 | FISCAL YEAR INVESTMENT |
| WAY TO GROW | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $30,000 | 2026 | FISCAL YEAR INVESTMENT |
| EDUCATION EVOLVING | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $30,000 | 2026 | FISCAL YEAR INVESTMENT |
| PILLSBURY UNITED COMMUNITIES | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $30,000 | 2026 | FISCAL YEAR INVESTMENT |
| MN ZEJ ZOG | NEW HOPE, MN | $30,000 | 2026 | FISCAL YEAR INVESTMENT |
| EDUCATORS FOR EXCELLENCE | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $25,000 | 2026 | FISCAL YEAR INVESTMENT |
| NORTHSIDE ACHIEVEMENT ZONE | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $25,000 | 2026 | FISCAL YEAR INVESTMENT |
| NEW CITY SCHOOL | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $25,000 | 2026 | FISCAL YEAR INVESTMENT |
| PHYLLIS WHEATLEY COMMUNITY CENTER INC | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $25,000 | 2026 | FISCAL YEAR INVESTMENT |
| HOPE ACADEMY | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $21,000 | 2026 | FISCAL YEAR INVESTMENT |
| AYADA LEADS MN | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $20,000 | 2026 | FISCAL YEAR INVESTMENT |
| AGAMIN CLASSICAL ACADEMY | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $20,000 | 2026 | FISCAL YEAR INVESTMENT |
| PARTNERSHIP ACADEMY | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $20,000 | 2026 | FISCAL YEAR INVESTMENT |
| PROPEL NONPROFITS | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $15,000 | 2026 | FISCAL YEAR INVESTMENT |
| INDIGENOUS ROOTS | SAINT PAUL, MN | $10,000 | 2026 | FISCAL YEAR INVESTMENT |
| PRODEO ACADEMY | COLUMBIA HEIGHTS, MN | $230,000 | 2025 | FISCAL YEAR INVESTMENT |
| NATIONAL PARENTS UNION | MALDEN, MA | $100,000 | 2025 | FISCAL YEAR INVESTMENT |
| NEW CITY SCHOOL | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $88,000 | 2025 | FISCAL YEAR INVESTMENT |
| LEAD THE WAY MN | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $70,000 | 2025 | FISCAL YEAR INVESTMENT |
| CENTRO TYRONE GUZMAN | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $60,000 | 2025 | FISCAL YEAR INVESTMENT |
| URBAN VENTURES LEADERSHIP FOUNDATION | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $50,000 | 2025 | FISCAL YEAR INVESTMENT |
| NORTHEAST COLLEGE PREP | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $45,000 | 2025 | FISCAL YEAR INVESTMENT |
| CRISTO REY JESUIT HIGH SCHOOL | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $40,000 | 2025 | FISCAL YEAR INVESTMENT |
| NORTHSIDE ACHIEVEMENT ZONE | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $35,000 | 2025 | FISCAL YEAR INVESTMENT |
| WAY TO GROW | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $35,000 | 2025 | FISCAL YEAR INVESTMENT |
| ED ALLIES | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $30,000 | 2025 | FISCAL YEAR INVESTMENT |
| PHYLLIS WHEATLEY COMMUNITY CENTER INC | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $30,000 | 2025 | FISCAL YEAR INVESTMENT |
| PILLSBURY UNITED COMMUNITIES | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $30,000 | 2025 | FISCAL YEAR INVESTMENT |
| GLOBAL ACADEMY | NEW BRIGHTON, MN | $25,000 | 2025 | FISCAL YEAR INVESTMENT |
| LITTLE EARTH RESIDENTS ASSOCIATION | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $25,000 | 2025 | FISCAL YEAR INVESTMENT |
| COSMOS MONTESSORI SCHOOL | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $22,500 | 2025 | FISCAL YEAR INVESTMENT |
| MINNESOTA ASSOCIATION OF CHARTER SCHOOL AUTHORIZERS (MACSA) | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $20,000 | 2025 | FISCAL YEAR INVESTMENT |
| AFRICAN AMERICAN LEADERSHIP FORUM | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $10,000 | 2025 | FISCAL YEAR INVESTMENT |
| INDIGENOUS ROOTS | SAINT PAUL, MN | $10,000 | 2025 | FISCAL YEAR INVESTMENT |
| GOOD TROUBLE CO PROPEL NONPROFITS | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $10,000 | 2025 | FISCAL YEAR INVESTMENT |
| CRISTO REY JESUIT HIGH SCHOOL | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $100,000 | 2024 | FISCAL YEAR 2023 INVESTMENT |
| LEAD THE WAY MN | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $60,000 | 2024 | FISCAL YEAR 2023 INVESTMENT |
| CENTRO TYRONE GUZMAN | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $60,000 | 2024 | FISCAL YEAR 2023 INVESTMENT |
| MN PARENT UNION | ST PAUL, MN | $40,000 | 2024 | FISCAL YEAR 2023 INVESTMENT |
| WAY TO GROW | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $35,000 | 2024 | FISCAL YEAR 2023 INVESTMENT |
| EDUCATION EVOLVING | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $35,000 | 2024 | FISCAL YEAR 2023 INVESTMENT |
HENNEPIN SCHOOLS
$110,000FISCAL YEAR INVESTMENT
GLOBAL ACADEMY
$62,100FISCAL YEAR INVESTMENT
CRISTO REY JESUIT HIGH SCHOOL
$55,000FISCAL YEAR INVESTMENT
LEAD THE WAY MN
$50,000FISCAL YEAR INVESTMENT
FISCAL YEAR INVESTMENT
STANDING TOGETHER AND NEVER DIVIDED UP MINNESOTA PARENTS UNITED
$35,000FISCAL YEAR INVESTMENT
MN ZEJ ZOG
$30,000FISCAL YEAR INVESTMENT
NEW CITY SCHOOL
$25,000FISCAL YEAR INVESTMENT
AGAMIN CLASSICAL ACADEMY
$20,000FISCAL YEAR INVESTMENT
PARTNERSHIP ACADEMY
$20,000FISCAL YEAR INVESTMENT
NEW CITY SCHOOL
$88,000FISCAL YEAR INVESTMENT
LEAD THE WAY MN
$70,000FISCAL YEAR INVESTMENT
NORTHEAST COLLEGE PREP
$45,000FISCAL YEAR INVESTMENT
CRISTO REY JESUIT HIGH SCHOOL
$40,000FISCAL YEAR INVESTMENT
GLOBAL ACADEMY
$25,000FISCAL YEAR INVESTMENT
MINNESOTA ASSOCIATION OF CHARTER SCHOOL AUTHORIZERS (MACSA)
$20,000FISCAL YEAR INVESTMENT
CRISTO REY JESUIT HIGH SCHOOL
$100,000FISCAL YEAR 2023 INVESTMENT
LEAD THE WAY MN
$60,000FISCAL YEAR 2023 INVESTMENT
MN PARENT UNION
$40,000FISCAL YEAR 2023 INVESTMENT
