FAQs

If you don’t find the answer to your question here, email it to info@jdgravesfoundation.org.

Can anyone apply for funding?

Yes. Organizations and community leaders whose work aligns with the Graves Foundation’s funding priorities are welcome to pursue a conversation about funding. We encourage those working within one of our priority areas, particularly with a focus on Hennepin County, to begin by completing our alignment form. This helps our team learn more about your work and determine whether there may be an opportunity to connect further. We typically support grassroots, community-led efforts, organizations, and initiatives that strengthen local, public institutions and the communities they serve.

Why don’t you have an open round?

We believe in open access and offer community leaders and organizations the opportunity to seek funding at any time through our website. Our relational approach allows us to build meaningful connections with organizations and leaders in the community. This process helps ensure our funding decisions are grounded in understanding, alignment, and transparency while also acknowledging the competitive nature of our grants budget.

How do I apply for funding?

The first step is to complete our alignment form through our website. Once submitted, our team reviews the information to understand how your work aligns with our priorities. If there appears to be alignment, a member of our team will follow up to begin a conversation. If you already have an existing relationship with us, we encourage you to reach out directly for further consideration.

Do you fund multiple years?

Initial funding is typically awarded as a one year grant. Following the first year, consideration for one, two, or three year grants are offered depending on alignment and relationship.

When is funding issued?

Funding is typically issued twice per year, following board meetings held at the beginning of the year and midyear.

I’m new to the foundation but would like to speak with someone. How do I set up a meeting with the foundation?

Graves Foundation staff are often out in the community attending events and meeting with grantee partners. If you happen to see a member of our team, feel free to say hello. For general questions or inquiries, please email info@jdgravesfoundation.org and someone from our team will follow up.

If you are interested in exploring potential funding, we ask that you first complete our alignment form to determine whether your work aligns with our funding priorities. Because our grants budget is highly competitive, this step helps guide where we are able to focus our conversations.

What happens after I submit an alignment form?

Each submission is reviewed to understand how an organization’s work connects with our current priorities and portfolio. A memeber of our team will follow up with every organization to share feedback, offer guidance on potential alignment, and provide next steps. When there is strong alignment, we will schedule a conversation to explore opportunities furthur.