Best Grants for Mentoring Programs in Minnesota

Minnesota nonprofits and community groups running mentoring, educational development, healthy living, or basic needs programs can receive up to US $2,000 to support their work. Benton Telecommunications Foundation provides small grants for youth leadership, personal growth, and community development projects, with a particular emphasis on initiatives benefiting Benton County communities.

Minnesota 501(c)(3) nonprofits working on economic and workforce advancement, safe and affordable housing, or community arts and culture can seek funding that may support mentoring-related programs. Focused on equitable, high-impact community development, US Bancorp Foundation prioritizes organizations in designated U.S. Bank communities, especially those led by people of color and addressing multiple “work, home, and play” pillars.

The Draper Richards Kaplan Foundation provides grants to early-stage social entrepreneurs working on scalable solutions to pressing social and environmental issues. By supporting organizations with innovative approaches and proven impact, they aim to uplift underserved communities globally. The foundation offers operational support, funding of up to $300,000 over three years, and fosters a collaborative community among its portfolio organizations. They focus on candidates demonstrating measurable impact and sustainable growth potential.

Nonprofit and nongovernmental organizations using technology to address education, crisis response, or economic empowerment can seek Global Impact Cash Grants supporting innovative programs, including those serving Minnesota communities. Grants from Cisco Systems Foundation help organizations worldwide that primarily serve economically underserved populations, emphasize tech-enabled solutions, and focus on areas like mentoring, tutoring, workforce readiness, and digital skills development; awards are up to US $100,000.

State Farm's Good Neighbor Citizenship Company Grants aim to enhance community safety, development, and education. Focused on long-term impact, they support initiatives in auto and home safety, disaster preparedness, affordable housing, and educational programs. Eligible recipients include nonprofits, educational institutions, and government entities. However, funding is not available for individuals, religious programs, or organizations outside the U.S. By addressing critical community needs, these grants foster safer and more resilient neighborhoods.

Grotto Foundation provides Minnesota mentoring and youth-serving nonprofits with funding for programs that strengthen educational, financial, physical, and social well-being. Eligible organizations must run community-led initiatives working in at least three areas: youth development, postsecondary success, community safety and neighborhood development, and mentoring, and may be invited to submit a full proposal after sharing their program idea.

The Labcorp Charitable Foundation, a private 501(c)(3) entity, aims to enhance healthcare access and education for all. With grant opportunities focusing on food programs, healthcare services for underserved populations, and STEM initiatives, it seeks to support community health and well-being. Organizations eligible for funding must be U.S.-based and hold tax-exempt status. Requests are reviewed biannually, in March and September, to foster impactful community projects.

Minnesota organizations running youth education or mentoring-related programs for urban low-income children can seek project or scale-up support of more than US $50,000. Michael & Susan Dell Foundation funds education, children’s health, and family economic stability initiatives in the U.S., prioritizing entities such as nonprofits, schools, social enterprises, and public agencies that align with its mission and values.

Roche Corporate Donations and Philanthropy (CDP) focuses on impactful projects that foster sustainable development, engage employees, and leverage Roche's expertise. Their philanthropic efforts prioritize humanitarian, educational, environmental, and cultural initiatives, aiming to build stronger communities and support innovative projects. Eligibility is limited to local organizations, while ineligible projects include those with political or religious ties. The foundation strives to create a positive societal impact through collaboration and strategic partnerships.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations in Minnesota working on community development, basic needs, workforce preparation, arts, environment, or inclusion programs can seek sponsorship support to advance economic mobility and social progress. Bank of America Charitable Foundation’s regional U.S. sponsorships may benefit mentoring and tutoring initiatives that help educate the workforce and strengthen low- and moderate-income communities.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations, schools, and government entities in Minnesota can receive US $3,000 - US $15,000 to support capital projects or new and expanded programs for women and girls within 30 miles of St. Cloud. CommunityGiving’s Central Minnesota Women’s Fund prioritizes mentoring, leadership, education, and transition support, which may benefit tutoring and mentoring initiatives for girls and women.

The Robinson Foundation Grant, established in 2016, aims to alleviate hardships faced by individuals and communities, demonstrating God's love through charitable contributions. As a family-operated foundation, it focuses on creating meaningful, long-term impacts in various areas including animal welfare, education, and disaster relief. Organizations eligible for funding must be 501(c)(3) public charities. The foundation prioritizes fiscally responsible projects with the potential for tangible results, while not supporting capital projects.

Minnesota 501(c)(3) nonprofits and fiscally sponsored groups can seek up to US $15,000 for technical assistance and consulting to strengthen internal operations and leadership. Minnesota mentoring and tutoring programs may be eligible for support such as strategic planning, board development, evaluation, technology or HR assessments, and BIPOC leadership development through the Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation’s Management Improvement Fund.

The Spark Good: Strengthening Community Local Grants program by the Wal-Mart Foundation empowers local organizations through grants ranging from $250 to $5000. This initiative aims to enhance community welfare by supporting diverse projects, including animal shelters and educational programs. Eligible organizations must have a verified Spark Good account, ensuring funds are allocated effectively to meet local needs and foster community development. Together, we can create lasting impacts through small yet significant actions.

Nonprofit organizations in central Minnesota offering mentoring, youth development, healthy living, basic needs, or community development programs can apply for Benton Telecommunications Foundation grants, with awards of US $2,000 - US $25,000. Funding supports direct program costs, not administrative overhead, with emphasis on communities in Benton, Kanabec, Mille Lacs, Morrison, and Stearns counties.

Minnesota 501(c)(3) nonprofits, schools, and government entities can seek funding to launch or expand programs for children, youth, and families in Kandiyohi County. CommunityGiving’s WACF Opportunity Gap Grant offers US $5,000 - US $20,000 for mentoring, enrichment, early childhood education, K–12 engagement, career on-ramps, and projects that build safe, stable, caring communities and families.

Minnesota 501(c)(3) nonprofits serving children ages 0–12 through direct-service or advocacy programs can use this grant for early childhood, youth development, and out-of-school time initiatives, including mentoring. Grants from Sheltering Arms Foundation help Minnesota tutoring and mentoring programs that are high quality, culturally appropriate, and family-engaged, with awards up to US $15,000.

The Dr. Scholl Foundation offers grants annually to IRS 501(c)(3) organizations, primarily focusing on U.S. applicants. The foundation supports projects in education, social services, healthcare, civic and cultural initiatives, and environmental efforts. While the grant cycle runs from October 1 to March 1, it encourages innovative solutions to global challenges. Only one application per organization is accepted each year, and funding is limited to one year. Unqualified organizations, including political entities, are ineligible.

Minnesota 501(c)(3) nonprofits and aligned for-profit organizations can receive more than US $50,000 to tell impactful stories about their preservation, education, or wellness work. Jesse W Couch Charitable Foundation supports projects such as mentorship, mental health, outdoor access, and youth development, and this storytelling grant may help mentoring programs highlight their community impact.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations serving the Minneapolis–St. Paul metro can seek general operating or program support for hunger, shelter, education, and workforce development initiatives from C H Robinson Worldwide Foundation, with awards from US $5,000 - US $30,000. Minnesota mentoring and youth development programs that improve K–12 educational opportunities or career pathways may be eligible.

Minnesota mentoring and youth-serving organizations offering violence prevention and healing-focused programs for ages 12–24 in Ramsey County may be eligible for US $15,000 - US $25,000 to support program delivery. Ramsey County’s partnership with Youthprise funds culturally responsive, community-based services such as mentoring, school-based supports, counseling, holistic healing, and related program and administrative costs.

Economic development nonprofits, school districts, Tribal and local governments in Central Minnesota can access funding for early-stage workforce and economic development projects through grants from Initiative Foundation; awards up to US $10,000. Programs creating mentoring, apprenticeships, internships, or partnerships to attract and retain workers in eligible counties may be especially competitive.

The Mutual of America Foundation Community Partnership Award honors exemplary nonprofit organizations in the U.S. that foster collaborative partnerships across sectors. Annually, a national competition showcases numerous organizations demonstrating impactful community partnerships. Six organizations receive recognition, including the Thomas J. Moran Award, which offers $100,000, and the Frances R. Hesselbein Award, granting $75,000. Since 1996, the award has acknowledged 262 partnerships, emphasizing Mutual of America's commitment to societal improvement through collaboration.

Nonprofit organizations helping disadvantaged people become self-reliant can apply for Gupta Family Foundation’s grants, awarding US $5,000 - US $250,000 for focused intervention and humanitarian relief. Grants from Gupta Family Foundation help smaller organizations, including those mentoring or tutoring in Minnesota, that are non-sectarian and operate in countries such as the U.S., India, Kenya, and others.

Minnesota tutoring and mentoring nonprofits that support supply chain and logistics education or workforce development may be eligible for this Strategic Industry Grant Program. Minnesota organizations can access funding through C H Robinson Foundation for programs that educate in transportation and logistics, diversify the logistics workforce, support carriers and drivers, or advance environmental sustainability in transportation and logistics.

Minnesota 501(c)(3) nonprofits offering mentoring, education, or youth support programs can receive US $2,500 - US $10,000 to advance their work. With a mission to help people live their best life, Altra Foundation provides awards to organizations in eligible Minnesota counties through member nominations recognizing impactful community service.