How to apply
Unsolicited letters of interest that are submitted following our guidelines will be read as the foundation staff is able. Proposals selected by foundation staff for approval will be reviewed at subsequent board meetings. Contact: Letter of Intent Accepted By E-Mail, 2929 Chicago Avenue South Suite 100, Minneapolis, Mn, 6123899820, INFO@JDGRAVESFOUNDATION.ORG Deadlines: None/open application process Restrictions: John and denise graves foundation funds fall into three categories: 1. Education - k-12 focused organizations, schools, and school systems on a path to creating strong, stable, well-governed schools and school systems, and making positive changes. 2. Youth power building - organizations that provide support, leadership development, and holistic mentorship to underserved youth as they leave the k-12 system and begin their journey to adulthood, and those that work towards bettering youth-involved systems and entitlements. 3. Community organizations that work to maintain the cultural vibrance an…
Quoted from Part XV of the foundation's 2024 Form 990-PF; the full text is in the filing. Confirm on the foundation's website before you write.
Grants paid in 2024
Top 60 of 85 grants by amount · from Form 990-PF Part XV. Part XV itemizes $2.8M; Part I reports $3.2M in contributions paid
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| YouthpriseMinneapolis, MN | Youth development | $250K |
| YMCA of the NorthMinneapolis, MN | Housing | $190K |
| Venn FoundationSt Paul, MN | Discretionary | $150K |
| Achieve Twin CitiesMinneapolis, MN | Discretionary | $83K |
| Great Mn SchoolsMinneapolis, MN | Education | $75K |
| Peris FoundationMinneapolis, MN | Housing | $65K |
| YouthpriseMinneapolis, MN | Youth development | $60K |
| Catholic Charities Twin CitiesMinneapolis, MN | Youth development | $50K |
| Ed AlliesMinneapolis, MN | Education | $50K |
| Education EvolvingMinneapolis, MN | Education | $50K |
| Educators 4 ExcellenceNew York, NY | Education | $50K |
| Foster AdvocatesSt Paul, MN | Youth development | $50K |
| Foster AdvocatesSt Paul, MN | Youth development | $50K |
| Friendship Academy of the ArtsMinneapolis, MN | Education | $50K |
| Improve Your TomorrowSacramento, CA | Education | $50K |
| Normandale Community College FoundationBloomington, MN | Education | $50K |
| Project for Pride and LivingMinneapolis, MN | Youth development | $50K |
| Hope AcademyMinneapolis, MN | Education | $45K |
| People Serving PeopleMinneapolis, MN | Discretionary | $45K |
| Above the Rim Youth Sports FoundationMinneapolis, MN | Youth development | $40K |
| Access Philanthropy CharitiesMinneapolis, MN | Education | $40K |
| BridgemakersSt Paul, MN | Youth development | $40K |
| ChartersourceWoodbury, MN | Education | $40K |
| Circle of DisciplineMinneapolis, MN | Youth development | $40K |
| CloseknitMinneapolis, MN | Discretionary | $40K |
| Friends of the Hennepin County LibraryMinneapolis, MN | Youth development | $40K |
| Legal Rights CenterMinneapolis, MN | Education | $40K |
| MigiziMinneapolis, MN | Youth development | $40K |
| Minnesota Alliance With YouthSt Paul, MN | Education | $40K |
| Pillsbury United CommunitiesMinneapolis, MN | Education | $40K |
| Pillsbury United CommunitiesMinneapolis, MN | Education | $40K |
| Uncommon ConstructionNew Orleans, LA | Youth development | $40K |
| Why You InitiativeMinneapolis, MN | Youth development | $40K |
| Wildflyer CoffeeMinneapolis, MN | Youth development | $40K |
| YouthpriseMinneapolis, MN | Youth development | $40K |
| Beacon Interfaith Housing CollaborativeSt Paul, MN | Housing | $35K |
| Hennepin Healthcare FoundationMinneapolis, MN | Youth development | $35K |
| Heritage Youth Sports FoundationMinneapolis, MN | Youth development | $35K |
| University of Minnesota FoundationMinneapolis, MN | Youth development | $35K |
| Benilde-St Margaret's SchoolSt Louis Park, MN | Discretionary | $35K |
| Al-Maa'uunMinneapolis, MN | Education | $30K |
| Colectiva BilingueMinneapolis, MN | Education | $30K |
| Connections to IndependenceMinneapolis, MN | Youth development | $30K |
| National Parents Union IncWoburn, AL | Education | $30K |
| Pillsbury United CommunitiesMinneapolis, MN | Education | $30K |
| Positive ImageBrooklyn Park, MN | Youth development | $30K |
| YouthpriseMinneapolis, MN | Housing | $30K |
| YouthpriseMinneapolis, MN | Youth development | $30K |
| Foster AdvocatesSt Paul, MN | Youth development | $25K |
| Teach for America ChicagoBoston, MA | Education | $25K |
| The Beautywell ProjectSt Paul, MN | Youth development | $25K |
| Advancing Equity CoalitionMinneapolis, MN | Education | $20K |
| Ed AlliesMinneapolis, MN | Education | $20K |
| Great Mn SchoolsMinneapolis, MN | Education | $20K |
| Latino Youth Development CollaborativeMinneapolis, MN | Education | $20K |
| Minnesota Association of Charter School Authorizers (macsa)Minneapolis, MN | Education | $15K |
| CaminoMinneapolis, MN | Discretionary | $12K |
| Bridge to BasicsWayzata, MN | Discretionary | $11K |
| Friends of the Global MarketMinneapolis, MN | Discretionary | $10K |
| Centro GuadalupanoMinneapolis, MN | Discretionary | $5,000 |
By state: Minnesota 74 · New York 2 · California 1 · Louisiana 1 · Alabama 1 · Massachusetts 1
About this foundation
John & Denise Graves Foundation is a private grantmaking foundation in Minneapolis, Minnesota, tax-exempt since 2014. Private foundations must pay out roughly 5% of their assets each year, mostly as grants to 501(c)(3) public charities.
Does John & Denise Graves Foundation accept grant applications?
Yes. On its 2024 Form 990-PF the foundation indicates it accepts applications. Unsolicited letters of interest that are submitted following our guidelines will be read as the foundation staff is able. Deadlines: None/open application process.
How much does John & Denise Graves Foundation give each year?
In tax year 2024 it paid $2.8M across 85 grants, a median of $30K.
Where does John & Denise Graves Foundation give?
Minnesota (74 grants), New York (2 grants), California (1 grants) and elsewhere, per its latest filing.
More foundations near Minneapolis that accept applications
All in Minnesota| Foundation | Based in | Grants paid | Median grant | Accepts applications | Assets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| McKnight Foundationsince 1994 | Minneapolis, MN | $146M790 grants · 2024 | $100K | Yes | $2.7B |
| Cargill Foundationsince 1954 | Minneapolis, MN | $13M95 grants · 2024 | $100K | Yes | $307M |
| The Richard M Schulze Family Foundationsince 2014 | Minneapolis, MN | $48M1,431 grants · 2024 | $5,000 | Yes | $218M |
| The Mortenson Family Foundationsince 2001 | Minneapolis, MN | $6.2M262 grants · 2024 | $15K | Yes | $142M |