Many Minnesota foundations focus on the St. Paul area, including the F. R. Bigelow Foundation. This funder is committed to supporting a vibrant East Metro region. It is the legacy of Frederic Russell Bigelow, former president of the Saint Paul Fire and Marine Insurance Company (now Travelers). Today, the foundation engages in grantmaking and mission impact investing at the regional level.
Grant interest areas
At the Bigelow Foundation, grants fall into six categories: arts and culture, community and economic development, education and youth development, health, housing, and human services. Arts and culture grants support capital projects, community programs and capacity-building efforts. Community and economic development grants fund workforce development and training programs, community building, and physical development support for low-income residents.
The foundation funds education and youth development by providing grants for education both in and out of school for all ages of students. Health grants focus on health equity and affordable, quality care for low-income, socially marginalized and uninsured/under-insured people. Housing grants support affordable housing and the prevention and ending of homelessness, while human services grants support basic needs and self-sufficiency for individuals and families.
Typical foundation giving
In a recent year, the Bigelow Foundation awarded 267 grants totaling $7.8 million across general operating, program and capital support. It has also awarded $8 million in mission-related investments. At the time of publishing, the foundation is not providing program/project support and is focusing on general operating support and capital support. The foundation’s service area includes Dakota, Ramsey and Washington counties, but it has a special interest in organizations serving people living and working in Saint Paul.
Recent Bigelow Foundation grantees include 180 Degrees, Inc., African American Leadership Forum, Apple Tree Dental and Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Greater Twin Cities. Impact investments include awards to a virtual and home-based primary care company, a venture capital fund and an affordable housing project.
Applying for a grant
The Bigelow Foundation offers two grant rounds a year along with a streamlined grant application process. It provides resources to inform nonprofits about important dates, application instructions and answers to common questions. The foundation team is accessible and encourages interested applicants to email a grants team member to ensure a good fit before submitting any materials.
After completing this initial step and reviewing application materials on the foundation’s website, nonprofits must register on the foundation’s grantee portal and complete an application online. The funder typically hosts information sessions and community Q&A lunch hours when it opens up a new grant round.
Bigelow is a partner foundation of the Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation, which administers its grant program. You can learn more about this grantmaker in IP’s full profile of the F. R. Bigelow Foundation.
