Rapid Response Fund
Who can apply: Not detailed in scraped content; generally supports urgent needs for organizations/movements.
Amplify the power of community to advance equity and justice.
Headwaters Foundation for Justice centers Minnesota community organizations working on justice, equity, and liberation, with a grantmaking pattern that heavily favors general operating support. The largest recent awards in the data went to Centro De Trabajadores Unidos En La Lucha at $473,000 and Dream of Wild Health at $416,000, both in Minneapolis, signaling substantial support for organizations rooted in local movement work. Their recent portfolio also includes Inquilinxs Unidxs Por Justicia at $370,000 and Greater Minnesota Worker Center at $360,000, showing attention to immigrant justice and worker organizing alongside broader community power-building. The foundation’s active programs reinforce that approach: the Giving Project supports community-led philanthropy, while Black Radiance Network, Wellspring Fund, Fund of the Sacred Circle, Rapid Response Fund, and Bush Prize: Minnesota point to support for Black-led organizing, Indigenous-led work, emergency needs, and civic leadership. Across the recent grants list, awards are commonly structured to strengthen organizational continuity rather than fund narrow projects, and several recipients appear as established Minnesota-based groups working across labor, housing, Native, immigrant, and racial justice issues.
Community-led philanthropy is a visible part of Headwaters Foundation for Justice’s model. Through the Giving Project, the foundation supports grassroots philanthropic projects and peer-led grantmaking in Minnesota, with unsolicited applications accepted. Civic leadership is another defined area through Bush Prize: Minnesota, which is tied to a regional prize and partnership program in the state. The foundation also funds capacity building through the Bridging Ecosystems Fellowship, described as connecting ecosystems and strengthening leaders and organizations. In movement-building work, the Black Radiance Network supports Black movement work and Black-led organizing, while the Rapid Response Fund provides emergency and time-sensitive support for organizations and campaigns facing urgent needs and crises.
Typical grants fall at $10,000 at the 25th percentile, $16,000 at the median, and $40,000 at the 75th percentile. The recent grants list shows a wide spread above that range, including several six-figure awards and repeated support to the same organizations across 2024 and 2025, which suggests ongoing relationships rather than one-off gifts. Grantmaking is centered on operating support, with project support appearing in some awards. Headwaters Foundation for Justice is a regular funder, and the active program list shows that unsolicited applications are accepted in multiple programs.
$3.8M
$18.4M
$4.5M
$6.9M
Most grants fall between $10K and $40K, with a median of $16K.
25th Percentile
$10K
Median
$16K
75th Percentile
$40K
About 84% of grants go to recipients in MN.
BILAL ALKATOUT
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 Minnesota-focused: 84% of grants go to recipients in the headquarters state, and Minnesota is also the top state by grant count. Minneapolis appears most often in the recent grants list, alongside St. Paul, St. Cloud, Bemidji, Morton, and Red Lake. The recipient country distribution is entirely U.S.-based, with 152 grants in the United States and no non-U.S. countries listed in the data.
The foundation funds community-led philanthropy, Black movement work, Indigenous-led initiatives, emergency response, civic leadership, and capacity building. Active programs include the Giving Project, Black Radiance Network, Fund of the Sacred Circle, Rapid Response Fund, Wellspring Fund, Bush Prize: Minnesota, and the Bridging Ecosystems Fellowship.
The grant-size distribution shows a 25th percentile of $10,000, a median of $16,000, and a 75th percentile of $40,000. Recent awards also include larger operating grants, including several in the $50,000 to $473,000 range.
Yes. The Giving Project, Bush Prize: Minnesota, Bridging Ecosystems Fellowship, Wellspring Fund, Black Radiance Network, Rapid Response Fund, and Fund of the Sacred Circle are all listed as accepting unsolicited applications.
Minnesota is the top state by grant count, and 84% of grants go to recipients in that state. Recent Minnesota recipients include organizations in Minneapolis, St. Paul, St. Cloud, Bemidji, Morton, and Red Lake.
They are mostly general operating support. In the recent grants list, many awards are labeled general operating support, with some combined project support and general operating support. The topic taxonomy also emphasizes administrative and overhead cost coverage, core operations, and organizational sustainability.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CENTRO DE TRABAJADORES UNIDOS EN LA LUCHA | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $473,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| DREAM OF WILD HEALTH | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $416,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| INQUILINXS UNIDXS POR JUSTICIA | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $370,000 | 2025 | PROJECT SUPPORT, GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| GREATER MINNESOTA WORKER CENTER | ST CLOUD, MN | $360,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| OUR JUSTICE | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $170,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| TIWAHE FOUNDATION | ST PAUL, MN | $125,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| NEW NATIVE THEATRE | ST PAUL, MN | $115,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| AYADA LEADS | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $85,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| RESTAURANT OPPORTUNITIES CENTER OF MINNESOTA (ROC-MN) CO TAKEACTION MN ED | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $85,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| BLACK IMMIGRANT COLLECTIVE CO ACCESS PHILANTHROPY CHARITIES | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $81,250 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| MIGIZI COMMUNICATIONS INC | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $70,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| NATIVE AMERICAN COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT INSTITUTE | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $56,250 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| LITTLE EARTH RESIDENTS ASSOCIATION | MINNEAPOLIS MN, MN | $54,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| INDIGENOUS PEOPLES TASK FORCE | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $53,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| TONE UP CO MINNESOTA PRISON WRITING WORKSHOP | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $50,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| GRASSROOTS INDIGENOUS MULTIMEDIA | ST PAUL, MN | $50,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| CENTER SCHOOL INC | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $50,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| ENDAZHI-NITAAWIGING QALIBC INC | RED LAKE, MN | $50,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| MINNESOTA INDIGENOUS BUSINESS ALLIANCE (MNIBA) | ST PAUL, MN | $50,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| DAKOTA WICOHAN | MORTON, MN | $50,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| MEWINZHA ONDAADIZIIKE WIIGAMING | BEMIDJI, MN | $50,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| NATIVE GOVERNANCE CENTER | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $50,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| NORTHWEST INDIAN COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CENTER | BEMIDJI, MN | $50,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| NATIVE SUN COMMUNITY POWER DEVELOPMENT | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $50,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| LOWER PHALEN CREEK PROJECT | SAINT PAUL, MN | $50,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| MANIDOO OGITIGAAN | BEMIDJI, MN | $50,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| DAKHOTA IAPI OKHODAKICHIYE | OSSEO, MN | $50,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| AMERICAN INDIAN CANCER FOUNDATION | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $50,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| AMERICAN INDIAN FAMILY CENTER | SAINT PAUL, MN | $50,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| JEWISH VOICE FOR PEACE | BERKELEY, CA | $30,500 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| MINNESOTA UBERLYFT DRIVERS ASSOCIATION | BLOOMINGTON, MN | $30,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| GRASSROOTS INTERNATIONAL | BOSTON, MA | $28,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| WALK-IN COUNSELING CENTER | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $26,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| THE CIRCLE OF PEACE MOVEMENT | SAINT PAUL, MN | $26,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTE OF MINNESOTA | SAINT PAUL, MN | $26,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| MIZNA | ST PAUL, MN | $25,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| AJP EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION | FALLS CHURCH, VA | $25,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| SOLIDAIRE NETWORK INC | OAKLAND, CA | $20,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| UNTIL WE ARE ALL FREE MOVEMENT | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $20,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| MINNESOTA DRIVERS COOPERATIVE | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $20,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| PARTNERS IN HEALTH | FREDERICK, MD | $18,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| IMMIGRANT DEVELOPMENT CENTER | MOORHEAD, MN | $15,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| GENDER JUSTICE | ST PAUL, MN | $12,000 | 2025 | PROJECT SUPPORT, GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| MNI SOTA FUND | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| ADALAH JUSTICE PROJECT CO TIDES CENTER | GLEN CARBON, IL | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| SOIL CO RIGHT TO THE CITY ALLIANCE INC | BROOKLYN, NY | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| TAKEACTION MN | SAINT PAUL, MN | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| QUEERSPACE COLLECTIVE | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| WOMEN'S ENVIRONMENTAL INSTITUTE | NORTH BRANCH, MN | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| ASIAN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION | SAINT PAUL, MN | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
CENTRO DE TRABAJADORES UNIDOS EN LA LUCHA
$473,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
DREAM OF WILD HEALTH
$416,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
INQUILINXS UNIDXS POR JUSTICIA
$370,000PROJECT SUPPORT, GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
GREATER MINNESOTA WORKER CENTER
$360,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
OUR JUSTICE
$170,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
TIWAHE FOUNDATION
$125,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
NEW NATIVE THEATRE
$115,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
AYADA LEADS
$85,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
RESTAURANT OPPORTUNITIES CENTER OF MINNESOTA (ROC-MN) CO TAKEACTION MN ED
$85,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
BLACK IMMIGRANT COLLECTIVE CO ACCESS PHILANTHROPY CHARITIES
$81,250GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
MIGIZI COMMUNICATIONS INC
$70,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
NATIVE AMERICAN COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT INSTITUTE
$56,250GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
LITTLE EARTH RESIDENTS ASSOCIATION
$54,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
INDIGENOUS PEOPLES TASK FORCE
$53,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
TONE UP CO MINNESOTA PRISON WRITING WORKSHOP
$50,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
GRASSROOTS INDIGENOUS MULTIMEDIA
$50,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
CENTER SCHOOL INC
$50,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
ENDAZHI-NITAAWIGING QALIBC INC
$50,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
MINNESOTA INDIGENOUS BUSINESS ALLIANCE (MNIBA)
$50,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
DAKOTA WICOHAN
$50,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
MEWINZHA ONDAADIZIIKE WIIGAMING
$50,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
NATIVE GOVERNANCE CENTER
$50,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
NORTHWEST INDIAN COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CENTER
$50,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
NATIVE SUN COMMUNITY POWER DEVELOPMENT
$50,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
LOWER PHALEN CREEK PROJECT
$50,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
MANIDOO OGITIGAAN
$50,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
DAKHOTA IAPI OKHODAKICHIYE
$50,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
AMERICAN INDIAN CANCER FOUNDATION
$50,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
AMERICAN INDIAN FAMILY CENTER
$50,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
JEWISH VOICE FOR PEACE
$30,500GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
MINNESOTA UBERLYFT DRIVERS ASSOCIATION
$30,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
GRASSROOTS INTERNATIONAL
$28,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
WALK-IN COUNSELING CENTER
$26,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
THE CIRCLE OF PEACE MOVEMENT
$26,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTE OF MINNESOTA
$26,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
MIZNA
$25,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
AJP EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION
$25,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
SOLIDAIRE NETWORK INC
$20,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
UNTIL WE ARE ALL FREE MOVEMENT
$20,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
MINNESOTA DRIVERS COOPERATIVE
$20,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
PARTNERS IN HEALTH
$18,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
IMMIGRANT DEVELOPMENT CENTER
$15,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
GENDER JUSTICE
$12,000PROJECT SUPPORT, GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
MNI SOTA FUND
$10,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
ADALAH JUSTICE PROJECT CO TIDES CENTER
$10,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
SOIL CO RIGHT TO THE CITY ALLIANCE INC
$10,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
TAKEACTION MN
$10,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
QUEERSPACE COLLECTIVE
$10,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
WOMEN'S ENVIRONMENTAL INSTITUTE
$10,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
ASIAN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION
$10,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
Current and upcoming funding from Headwaters Foundation for Justice that your nonprofit may be able to apply for.
Who can apply: Not detailed in scraped content; generally supports urgent needs for organizations/movements.
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.