Grant & People News — September 2026

Aug 31

September 2026 roundup of funding news and leadership moves, and notable moments from across the philanthropic sector.

GRANT OPPORTUNITIES

Ann Bancroft Foundation
Any K-12 Minnesota resident who identifies as a girl may apply for a one-time grant of up to $1,000 to fund a wide range of opportunities, from camps and lessons to leadership experiences. Learn More →

Headwaters Foundation for Justice — Rapid Response Fund
Rapid Response funding with rolling deadlines through 2026 and 2027, built for Minnesota organizations that need to move quickly on urgent, time-sensitive work. Learn More →

Medica Foundation — Rural Health Grants
Funding to strengthen health and expand access in rural Minnesota communities. Learn More →

Robert Wood Johnson Foundation — Connecting Champions
Support for advancing diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging in the health professions. Deadline: September 24. Learn More →

Borealis Philanthropy — Just Futures Initiative
Rolling support for organizations advancing community safety and justice, available while funding remains. Learn More →

Cisco — Global Impact Cash Grants
Cash grants of up to $100,000 for eligible organizations creating measurable impact. Learn More →

Draper Richards Kaplan Foundation
Early-stage funding and support for social enterprises with the potential for high impact. Learn More →

MOVE Fund
Investing in innovative, regional approaches to systems change in youth sport. Learn More →

Nathan Cummings Foundation
Year-round funding for organizations advancing racial, economic, and environmental justice. Learn More →

T.D. Jakes Foundation — Social Impact Challenge
Social impact grants awarded in connection with the T7 Summit 2026. Learn More →

Funders to Know
A few major funders with open or upcoming giving worth researching for future proposals: the Bank of America Charitable Foundation (Learn More), The Coca-Cola Foundation (Learn More), the Rockefeller Foundation's 2027 global funding in health, food, energy, and economic development (Learn More), and a roundup of U.S. federal grants for nonprofits and community organizations (Learn More).

GRANT NEWS

Recent awards, annual reports, and giving news...

McKnight Foundation Grants $6 Million to Minnesota Initiative FoundationsMcKnight is deepening its investment in Greater Minnesota with a $6 million grant to the state's Initiative Foundations. Learn More →

Headwaters Foundation Awards $100,000 for Safe and Fair ElectionsHeadwaters has awarded $100,000 to support safe and fair elections in Minnesota. Learn More →

Minneapolis Foundation Impact Fund Awards $147,000The Minneapolis Foundation's Impact Fund has awarded $147,000 in new grants. Learn More →

OneMPLS Fund Awards Grants for Domestic Violence ServicesThe OneMPLS Fund has awarded grants supporting domestic violence services across the Minneapolis community. Learn More →

Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation Announces 2026 GranteesSee the latest round of Minnesota Community Ideas grant recipients. Learn More →

Northland Foundation Quarterly Grants ReportNorthland's latest quarterly report covers grants awarded April through June 2026. Learn More →

ClimateWorks Foundation Announces $9.3 Million for Extreme HeatThrough its Adaptation & Resilience Fund, ClimateWorks has announced $9.3 million in grants to organizations tackling one of the fastest-growing climate risks: extreme heat. Learn More →

Annual Reports & ReviewsWorth a read to understand where these funders are putting their dollars: Margaret A. Cargill Philanthropies (Learn More), Best Buy Foundation (Learn More), Third Wave Fund (Learn More), and the Xcel Energy Foundation (Learn More).

JOBS IN PHILANTHROPY

Executive & Leadership

(MN) Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation is conducting a search for a CFO | Learn More
Hispanics in Philanthropy is searching for a President & CEO | Learn More
Leonard and Sophie Davis Fund is hiring a Vice President | Learn More
Rockefeller Foundation is hiring a Vice President, Strategic Learning and Impact (NY) | Learn More
Native Americans in Philanthropy is hiring a Managing Director | Learn More
Vivo Foundation is conducting a search for an Executive Director | Learn More

Program

The Peter and Carmen Lucia Buck Foundation is hiring a Program Officer, Science (NY) | Learn More
GiveWell is hiring a Senior Program Officer | Learn More
ABFE (Association of Black Foundation Executives) is hiring a Program Manager, Programs | Learn More
American Institutes for Research (AIR) Opportunity Fund is hiring a Research Program Officer | Learn More
Heising-Simons Foundation is hiring a Program Associate, Climate & Clean Energy | Learn More
Mellon Foundation is hiring a Program Manager, Monuments Project | Learn More
Paul Angell Foundation is hiring a Program Officer, Social Impact (Economic Power) | Learn More

Grants & Finance

AARP Foundation is hiring a Grants Manager | Learn More
Just Fund is hiring a Grants Manager and Impact Analyst | Learn More
Simons Foundation is hiring a Director, Grants Management | Learn More
Fetzer Institute is hiring a Finance & Grants Integration Manager | Learn More
Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors is hiring an Analyst | Learn More

Communications, Development & Operations

(MN) Northwest Minnesota Foundation is hiring a Philanthropy Officer | Learn More
Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation is hiring an Operations Associate, Arctic Ocean Initiative | Learn More
MUFG is hiring a Community Engagement Specialist (AZ) | Learn More
Open Society Foundations is hiring a Visual/Graphic Designer | Learn More
Tennessee Titans is hiring a Community Relations Manager | Learn More

NEWS & HEADLINES

Blandin Foundation Invests $4.5 Million in Rural Minnesota | The Blandin Foundation is investing $4.5 million to help rural communities build toward the futures they envision. See story…

North Star Summit Returns September 21–23 | The Minnesota Star Tribune’s second annual North Star Summit brings together foundation leaders, business executives, policymakers, and journalists for three days of conversation and networking. The event is expected to sell out soon. See post…

Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation Commits $15 Million to Downtown Saint Paul | The Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation has committed up to $15 million to downtown Saint Paul in partnership with the Saint Paul Downtown Development Corporation. The investment joins $30 million previously committed by Securian Financial and the Bush Foundation to seed the Saint Paul Downtown Investment Fund. See post…

St. Croix Valley Foundation Awards Record $442,200 in Environmental Grants | The St. Croix Valley Foundation has awarded a record $442,200 in environmental grants supporting organizations and projects across the region. See story…

Allianz Life Invests $750,000 in Twin Cities Housing and Food Security | Allianz Life is investing $750,000 to support efforts addressing growing housing and food insecurity in the Twin Cities. See press release…