Foundation Grant Frequently Asked Questions

The C.H. Robinson Foundation Twin Cities Grants Program is focused on strengthening our local communities and supporting individuals’ basic needs of hunger, shelter and education. To be considered for a Twin Cities Grant from the C.H. Robinson Foundation, your charitable organization must meet one of our giving priorities:

• Serving the local community through food shelves/pantries/banks
• Providing meal service or food programs targeted to specific needs of senior citizens, youth, people living with life threatening illnesses, etc.

• Providing transitional housing, permanent supportive housing and efforts to end chronic homelessness
• Offering emergency shelter for those facing homelessness or domestic violence
• Supplying essential household items and furniture for those in need

• Improving educational opportunities for k-12 for students facing barriers to success
• Developing youth to become successful, productive adults through core educational programming
• Supporting systemic improvements to advance education outcomes for students, schools and educators
• Cultivating talent for successful careers in supply chain and technology

The above are intended to serve as examples of programs considered for funding. However, programs outside of these examples focused on hunger, shelter and education may be considered.

In addition to meeting one of the giving priorities above, your organization must meet the following criteria:

• Be a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt nonprofit or public agency;
• Should not be political or religious in nature—grants to organizations with religious affiliation may be considered on an exception basis, but only if the grant will be used for non-religious purposes;
• Not be a K-12 school (public, private, or charter)
• Comply with IRS regulations
• Serve the Minneapolis-St. Paul metro area
• Meet certain operating standards, including reasonable administrative and fundraising costs of generally less than 30 percent of the total budget

If your organization meets the eligibility requirements above, you may submit a letter of inquiry online by April 1.

We review requests on a yearly basis.

If you are a new applicant or did not receive a grant the year prior, a letter of inquiry must be completed by April 1 each year. Grant applications (invite only) will be due in June and applicants will be notified of their status in August.

Inquiries eligible for grant support will be notified by the end of April that they are invited to participate in a grant application process.

No. Only organizations that are verified with a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) status are eligible to receive grants.