About Hearth Connection
Hearth Connection works to prevent and end homelessness by connecting people to stable, supportive housing, improving systems through data and training, and advancing equitable policies and practices.
Focus Areas
homelessness preventionsupportive housinghousing navigationdata systems for human servicestraining and technical assistanceadvocacy
Who They Fund
people experiencing homelessness / formerly homeless individualslow-income renters / households at risk of eviction
Funding Style
direct service / program fundingcapacity building (strategic planning support)operational support for housing programs
About Hearth Connection
Hearth Connection concentrates on preventing and ending homelessness through rental assistance and supportive housing, and its recent grants show a repeated commitment to the same service model over multiple years. The largest awards in the record go to Guild Incorporated, with grants of $3,205,178 in 2023, $2,025,610 in 2024, and $1,765,415 in 2025 for rental assistance and supportive housing. Resource Inc (avivo) also appears three times, including $1,682,544 in 2025, $1,548,888 in 2024, and $1,541,348 in 2023 for the same purpose. Those recurring awards suggest a funder that supports ongoing housing stability work rather than short-term, one-off projects. The foundation also backs local intermediaries and housing-service providers across Minnesota, including Amherst H Wilder Foundation, Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota, People Incorporated, and Blue Earth County. Its stated work includes connecting people to stable, supportive housing, improving systems through data and training, and advancing equitable policies and practices.
What Hearth Connection Funds
The strongest pattern in the recent grants is support for rental assistance and supportive housing, with large operating grants to organizations such as Amherst H Wilder Foundation, Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota, and People Incorporated. Several awards to Blue Earth County, Human Development Center, and Zumbro Valley Health Center point to a mix of county-level and provider-based delivery. Mental health and behavioral health are also part of the housing strategy: Zumbro Valley Mental Health Center Inc received grants for rental assistance and supportive housing in 2023 and 2025, while South Central Human Relations Center Inc was funded in 2023, 2024, and 2025 for the same purpose. Breaking Free appears in the recent record as well, tied to the same housing-stability focus.
How Hearth Connection Gives
Hearth Connection’s typical grant size sits at a p25 of $40,993, a median of $125,413, and a p75 of $428,916. The recent grant list shows repeated awards to the same recipients across 2023, 2024, and 2025, indicating ongoing relationships rather than isolated one-time gifts. The foundation is structured as a private grantmaker with annual grants of $34,393,608 and total assets of $1,506,305. It funds organizations, not individuals, and the record does not show a public application process.
Financial Snapshot
Annual Giving
$12M
Total Assets
$1.5M
Total Revenue
$14M
Total Expenses
$14M
Typical Grant Size
Most grants fall between $41K and $429K, with a median of $125K.
25th Percentile
$41K
Median
$125K
75th Percentile
$429K
Geographic Reach
Local1 state funded
About 100% of grants go to recipients in MN.
Funding intensity
LowHigh
Headquarters
Leadership
MARCUS SCHMIT
Accepts unsolicited proposals
Unlock Deep Analysis
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 FreeSee Similar Funders
Free Kindora accounts unlock side-by-side comparisons with foundations that share this funder's focus areas and giving profile.
Get Started FreeExplore related grant guides
Want a Personalized Pitch for Hearth Connection?
Sign up free to see how well your nonprofit fits this funder, get an AI-generated pitch, and unlock similar foundations.
Free plan available
No contracts
Cancel anytime