Immigrants & Refugees

In the spring, a granting focus is on Support for Immigrants and Refugees. We fund programs serving Immigrants and Refugees in the seven county metro area.

What we fund:

Marbrook Foundation is interested in supporting initiatives or organizations that educate and include new immigrants and refugees in the Twin Cities. Marbrook Foundation believes that addressing the opportunities and challenges that come with blending cultures, languages and beliefs strengthen our shared communities and contribute to the well-being of all citizens.

Requirements:

  • Programs that serve Immigrants and Refugees, with priority given to programs that primarily serve immigrants & refugees
  • Programs located and serving individuals within the seven country metro area
  • Organization must have 501(c)(3) status or be fiscally sponsored

For immigrant and refugee programs, priority is given to programs that primarily serve immigrants & refugees and share synergies between two or more of these grant making focus areas:

    • Intentional intercultural learning, and cross-cultural experiences
    • Culturally safe and conducive learning environments for youth.  These programs may include a focus on mindfulness, and stable environments for families
    • Financial independence, entrepreneurship and employment in the community
    • Leadership programs and empowerment of community leaders

We will not consider applications for:

  • Individual college and academic scholarships
  • Programs that provide only ESL services
  • Arts related programs (please refer to Arts granting)
  • Health clinics, health services and medical treatment
  • Food shelves, food stamp or free meal programs
  • Affordable housing
  • Conferences and events
  • Start-up organizations
  • Grants directly to individuals

Process:

Letter of Intent and Application Process – Please submit a letter of intent (LOI) online by February 1st at 11:59 pm CST. Invitations for full applications will be sent in early February and full applications will be due online on March 1st at 11:59 pm CST. LOI and Application must be submitted online via the Foundation’s online grant application system under ‘How To Apply’.

Timeline:

January 1 – LOI online portal opens
February 1 – LOI deadline at 12 pm noon CST
Early/Mid-February – Applicants notified via email of invitation to apply
March 1 – Application deadline at 12 pm noon CST

GENERAL FUNDING GUIDELINES:

  • The Foundation will consider applications for:
    • 501(c)(3) charitable and fiscally sponsored organizations
    • Capital campaigns
    • Multi-year grants
    • General operating grants
  • The Foundation will make grants to programs only in the seven county metro area (except for Environmental Grants)
  • The Foundation accepts no more than one proposal per year from each organization
  • After five consecutive years of giving to an organization, Marbrook will cease making grants to the organization for at least one year, per the Foundation’s phase-out policy
  • Minimum grant size is $5,000 (except for Environmental Grants)