November 2026 roundup of grants, jobs in philanthropy, and notable moments from across the philanthropic sector.
PROSPECT REPORT
Special Access Philanthropy Prospect Report: 18 Best Minnesota Rural Funders
This shortlist weighs rural relevance, Minnesota eligibility, application access, and practical usefulness. The numbers are navigation aids, not predicted success rates. The six regional foundations are equally strong first stops within their own regions. Later entries require a stronger program, sector, or relationship match. No grant is assured.
GRANT OPPORTUNITIES
Housing & Community Development
Minnesota Housing Capacity Building Program
Funds activities that build the capacity of organizations and communities to address root causes of housing challenges and create thriving and inclusive communities. Deadline to apply: Thursday, December 10, 2026, at noon Central time. Learn MoreCHS Twin Cities Funding
Organizations in the backyard of CHS headquarters are eligible for up to $5,000 to host events that bring the community together, educate the next generation about agriculture, or provide Twin Cities residents access to healthy food and stable housing. (Nov 30) Learn More
Health & Health Equity
Eliminating Health Disparities Initiative (MN Dept. of Health)
2026 Request for Proposals. Questions due November 30. Learn MoreMinnesota Lifeline Youth Peer Leader Grant (MN Dept. of Health)
Request for Proposals now open. Learn More
Justice, Advocacy & Survivor Services
ImpactFund
Steps to apply for a recoverable grant for impact litigation advancing economic, environmental, and social justice. Learn MoreRedRover Safe Housing Grants
Safe Housing grants for domestic violence and animal organizations. Learn More
Open & Year-Round Opportunities
Nathan Cummings Foundation
Now welcoming proposals for partnerships via their Letters of Inquiry (LOI) portals year-round. Grant and Program Related Investment proposals can be submitted using the same portal. Learn MoreCall Finder
A lengthy list of funding opportunities for NGOs. Learn MoreThe Max and Victoria Dreyfus Foundation
Open application portal for grant seekers. Learn MoreThe Jones Family Foundation
Primarily supports efforts that benefit those living in the Red Wing area. Learn MoreThe Teagle Foundation
Grant initiatives focus on faculty leaders who invigorate undergraduate education, and through them, the students they serve. The website has detailed information on the grant programs and application process. Learn More
GRANT NEWS
Recent awards, annual reports, and giving news...
MISUMI Launches Its First Foundation With a $2 Million Commitment
MISUMI Imprint Foundation is a new philanthropic institution advancing engineering education, applied design and robotics programs, and industry–academia partnerships across the United States. The Foundation launched with a $2 million seed investment and is the first corporate giving organization in MISUMI Group’s 63-year history. (The group is a global manufacturer and distributor of fixed and configurable mechanical components for factory automation (FA), press die, and plastic mold industries.) Learn More
Rural Maternal-Health Fund Launches, Anchored by Sanford Health’s $15 Million
Attorney General Keith Ellison announced a rural maternal-health project under the Rural Healthcare Stability Initiative, anchored by Sanford Health’s $15 million commitment. The Minneapolis Foundation will administer the charitable fund. An initial stakeholder meeting is planned before year-end, with recommendations in 2027. Learn More
Sauer Family Foundation Closes Its Doors
One of the best family foundations in Minnesota. From the website: “Since 1996, the Sauer Family Foundation has partnered with communities in Minnesota to strengthen the well-being of children and their families. Our public grantmaking has closed as of September 25, 2026. The Foundation will sunset in early 2027.” Learn More
Ford Foundation Announces Major Grantmaking Reorganization for 2027
The Ford Foundation is restructuring its grantmaking operations as it prepares to implement seven new funding priorities. Beginning in January 2027, program staff will be reassigned into three temporary units: Strategy Design, Transitional Grantmaking, and Sunsetting and Relationship Management. The new grantmaking structure is expected to be fully operational by January 2028. Ford plans to concentrate its resources through fewer, larger grants, emphasizing deeper investments in organizations aligned with its new priorities. During 2027, the foundation will continue supporting existing commitments while developing new strategies and responsibly ending funding in areas being discontinued. Read More
JOBS IN PHILANTHROPY
Leadership
The Constellation Fund (MN), Vice President of Philanthropy. Learn more
Robert Sterling Clark Foundation, President & CEO. Learn more
The Pisces Foundation, President. Learn more
Wadhwani Foundation, Vice President – Global Programs & Grants Management (San Francisco Bay Area). Learn more
Grants Management
Fred C. and Katherine B. Andersen Foundation, Senior Grants Manager. Learn more
The Jacob and Terese Hershey Foundation, Director of Operations and Grants Management (Houston). Learn more
Patterson Companies, Inc., Program Manager, Grants & Community Impact. Learn more
PwC, Research and Grant Administration Consultant, Senior Manager. Learn more
Skoll Foundation, Managing Director of Grants Management. Learn more
Program Officers & Directors
Early Childhood Funders Collaborative, Director, Raising Child Care Fund. Learn more
Ford Foundation has a number of openings, including Grants Officer; Program Director, Democracy and the Rule of Law (International); and Program Officer, Adaptive Philanthropy. Learn more
Gates Foundation, Senior Program Officer, Policy and Evidence. Learn more
Headwaters Foundation for Justice (MN), Justice & Liberation Fund Program Officer. Learn more
Conrad N. Hilton Foundation has a number of openings, including Program Officer, Refugees; Senior Program Officer, Youth Initiative; and Strategy Officer. Learn more
Charles Stewart Mott Foundation, Program Director, Environment. Learn more
Neighborhood Funders Group, Senior Director of Programs. Learn more
The Sobrato Organization, Senior Program Officer, Policy & Advocacy. Learn more
Learning, Evaluation & Impact
Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation, Effective Philanthropy and Learning Coordinator. Learn more
The James Irvine Foundation, Senior Impact Assessment & Learning Officer. Learn more
Operations, Strategy & People
MacArthur Foundation, Managing Director, People & Culture. Learn more
Oak Foundation, Director for Strategy and Chief of Staff (Geneva, Switzerland, hybrid). Learn more
OpenAI Foundation, Chief of Staff, Civil Society & Philanthropy. Learn more
The Rockefeller Foundation, Managing Director, Office of the Chief Operating Officer. Learn more
People in Philanthropy
Meet MCF’s 2027 Board Slate
The Minnesota Council on Foundations has announced its slate of board nominees up for election in 2027.
For election to a first three-year term:
Anna Bosak, Community Relations & Corporate Giving, Andersen Corporation
Elyse K. Coleman, Senior Program Manager, Medica Foundation
Greg Larson, Partner, Lathrop GPM LLP (Lathrop GPM Foundation)
Nonkululeko “Nkuli” Tabata, Director of Community Wealth Building, Nexus Community Partners
For election to a second three-year term:
Dee Baskin, Executive Director, Loan Repayment Assistance Program
Wakinyan LaPointe, Program Director, Native Communities, Headwaters Foundation for Justice
Heather Logelin, President and CEO, St. Croix Valley Foundation
Trends & Research Reports
A look at the latest research and data shaping philanthropy and the nonprofit sector.
U.S. Foundations Maintain Global Giving, but Largest Funders Dominate
Global giving by U.S. foundations remained relatively stable between 2020 and 2023, accounting for nearly 24% of overall foundation grant dollars in 2023, according to the new State of Global Giving by U.S. Foundations report from Candid and the Council on Foundations. Key findings:
Large foundations dominate: The 10 largest global grantmakers accounted for 64% of global foundation giving, with the Gates Foundation alone providing approximately 45%.
U.S. nonprofits remain primary intermediaries: Organizations headquartered in the United States received 54% of globally focused grant dollars and 65% of grants.
Direct international funding is growing: Grants to organizations based in the countries where projects operate increased from $4.2 billion in 2016–2019 to $7.3 billion in 2020–2023, though they represented just 14% of global grant dollars.
Donor-advised funds are major players: 51 national DAF sponsors distributed $14.1 billion through more than 89,000 globally focused grants. Their median grant was $15,000, compared with $125,000 for the foundations studied.
Regional priorities: Sub-Saharan Africa and Asia-Pacific attracted the largest shares of globally focused foundation funding.
Nonprofits Embrace AI but Lack Funding to Sustain and Expand Its Use
Fast Forward’s 2026 AI for Humanity Report finds that AI is improving nonprofit effectiveness, but funding remains a major obstacle. Among surveyed nonprofits, 92% reported improved service efficiency, 60% reached previously underserved populations, and 55% improved their ability to personalize services. Although 90% have plans to expand their AI initiatives, only 24% have the resources to do so. The report emphasizes that successful AI adoption requires more than technology. Nonprofits need sustained investments in staffing, training, data systems, evaluation, and responsible AI practices, along with strong leadership, organizational flexibility, and community involvement.
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