Management Improvement Fund is sponsored by Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation. This fund provides grants to small and midsize Minnesota nonprofits for technical assistance and consultation to expand and improve organizational capacity.

Examples of funded activities include organizational assessment, strategic planning, board development, human resources, marketing, program evaluation, technology assessment, and financial planning management.

Nonprofit Management Improvement Fund Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation Nonprofit Management Improvement… | Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation Management Improvement Fund THE MANAGEMENT IMPROVEMENT FUND, A SPECIAL fund OF THE SAINT PAUL & MINNESOTA FOUNDATION, IS DEDICATED TO STRENGTHENING NONPROFITS’ INTERNAL OPERATIONS.

The Management Improvement Fund provides grants of up to $15,000 to small and midsize nonprofits across the state of Minnesota for technical assistance and consultation to: Support new and vital capacity-building work Expand and improve organizational capacity Nurture Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC) leadership in the nonprofit sector Since 1991, the Fund has provided $7 million to more than 470 nonprofit organizations.

All interested applicants are encouraged to email the Management Improvement Fund at mif@spmcf. org before applying to ensure that the Fund fits your needs. The Management Improvement Fund makes grants for technical assistance and consultation to help improve the capacity and management of nonprofit organizations.

Examples of these activities include but are not limited to: Organizational assessment Organizational restructuring / merger / dissolution Board development / governance Human resources / personnel assessment Marketing and communications assessment Accessibility consulting services Financial planning management / grantwriting services Community healing circles and spaces Planning and preparation work for receiving a 501(c)3 nonprofit status Innovative approaches for groups working together to better serve the community For BIPOC-led organizations: Leadership development and executive leadership coaching / skill building / training and mentoring for staff, board members and volunteers The Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation believes that our community should not only benefit from our work, but inform and form it as well.

Creating solutions to today’s issues requires a collaborative approach. Our work is also rooted in a commitment to racial equity .

Organizations and groups applying for a Management Improvement Fund grant are reviewed with the following criteria in mind: Organizational annual operating budgets of $5 million or less Organizations must primarily serve low-income persons Time and staff capabilities to commit to the consultation and to implement changes Organizations seeking to benefit the Asian American/Pacific Islander, Indigenous, Latinx and Black communities will be prioritized New/emerging BIPOC-led organizations will be prioritized Organizations that are not likely to undertake the effort without financial assistance from the Fund This grant program is open to 501(c)3 nonprofit organizations or those with a fiscal sponsor across Minnesota.

Organizations based in the West Metro (Anoka, Hennepin, Carver and Scott counties) and Greater Minnesota should contact the MIF team prior to applying. The primary use of a Management Improvement Fund grant is to pay for consultation fees or training expenses.

A limited percentage of funds may be allocated to expenses related to the successful completion of the proposed work, including interpreters, stipends, childcare, transportation and staff time. Applicants select the consultant and are encouraged to thoroughly assess their needs. Please note that Management Improvement Fund applicants must include the written proposal / bid from the prospective consultant(s).

The Foundation does not require that you select a consultant of our choosing. If you have not yet identified a consultant that you’d like to work with, we encourage you to tap into the networks of your board and leadership for recommendations. You can also visit Nexus Community Partners or Minnesota Council of Nonprofits to search for consultants in your area.

The Management Improvement Fund will consider grants up to $15,000.

Grant Requests Not Accepted The Management Improvement Fund of the Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation will not consider grant requests for support of: Sectarian religious programs or organizations Direct work of individuals Organizations that are not classified as a 501(c)3 nonprofits or do not have a fiscal sponsor Organizations exclusively serving the West Metro (Anoka, Hennepin, Carver and Scott counties) If your organization does not fit the funding criteria for the Management Improvement Fund, we encourage you to explore our Resources Beyond the Grant page to see if your request and organization may be a fit for our other nonprofit resources.

The Management Improvement Fund accepts applications on a rolling basis and reviews applications quarterly. Any applications submitted after the submission deadline will be automatically considered for the next grant cycle. Quarterly submission deadlines: Read an overview of the Management Improvement Fund's criteria and application process.

Application questions and sample budget Take a look at the Management Improvement Fund application questions before you apply. All interested applicants are encouraged to email the Management Improvement Fund at mif@spmcf. org before applying to ensure that the Fund fits your needs.

No final reports will be required for grants awarded through the Management Improvement Fund. However, after your grant period has ended, you will be invited to participate in a grantee convening to share reflections on your grant. View all Grant Opportunities GET MONTHLY STORIES, NEWS AND UPDATES * Indicates a required field Yes, I’d like to join your email list.

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