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Non-profit

St. Paul and Minnesota Foundation

Website:

spmcf.org/
Location:

St. Paul, MN
Tax ID:

41-6031510
Tax-Exempt Status:

501(c)(3)

Budget (2022):

Revenue: $122,971,818
Expenses: $112,915,952
Assets: $1,457,121,171
Type:

Grantmaking Organization
Formation:

1940
Executive Director:

Eric J. Jolly
Budget (2022):

Revenue: $122,971,818
Expenses: $112,915,952
Assets: $1,457,121,171

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The St. Paul and Minnesota Foundation is a left-of-center grantmaking organization that focuses on “operationalizing” the critical race theory-influenced concept of equity. 1 The community foundation is the largest in the state of Minnesota and manages over $1.8 billion in assets as of 2023.  2

Background

The St. Paul and Minnesota Foundation was founded in 1940. The community foundation is the largest in Minnesota and was formed from a merger of the Saint Paul Foundation and the Minnesota Foundation in 2008. The F.R. Bigelow Foundation and the Mardag Foundation partner with the St. Paul and Minnesota Foundation, and their grants are managed by the St. Paul & Minnesota Foundation. 3

Giving Strategy and Projects

The St. Paul and Minnesota Foundation stewards over $1.8 billion in assets. 4 The community foundation states that it is “committed to investing in Minnesota and creating an equitable, just and vibrant state.” 5

The St. Paul and Minnesota Foundation partners with the F.R. Bigelow Foundation and Mardag Foundation, as well as a statewide network of over 2,000 nonprofits and donor advised funds across Minnesota. 6

The investment strategy of the St. Paul and Minnesota Foundation is focused on the critical race theory influenced diversity, equity and inclusion, as well as the controversial Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) investment methodology. 7

Racial Equity

The St. Paul and Minnesota Foundation states it is “committed to dismantling a belief in a hierarchy of human value, with a focus on racial equity.” 8 To promote this goal, the foundation undertakes projects to advocate for equity, especially regarding grantmaking. 9 The foundation also prioritizes “operationalizing equity” in all aspects of their work, including its investment strategy. 10

The community foundation sponsors the “Facing Race Awards,” annual awards given to individuals that “push for justice and equity.” 11

Additionally, the community foundation runs “Art in this Present Moment,” a project that provides “financial support to artists who are Black, Indigenous, and People of Color who are changing and challenging dominant narratives.” 12

In 2023, the community foundation granted $9 million to over 40 businesses as part of the East Metro Main Street Economic Revitalization Program; over 85% of the business were owned or led by racial minorities according to the community foundation’s 2023 annual report. 13

Countering Hate

Countering Hate is an annual meeting that is hosted by the St. Paul and Minnesota Foundation, the Muslim American Society of Minnesota, and the Minnesota Council of Churches. 14 The purpose of the project is bringing religious communities together, particularly for the goal of countering “white supremacy.” 15

Grantmaking

In 2022, the St. Paul and Minnesota Foundation gave grants to Planned Parenthood of Minnesota, North Dakota, and South Dakota; Planned Parenthood Federation of America; and Planned Parenthood of Greater New York. 16 That same year, the group also gave grants to the Southern Poverty Law Center, the Minnesota Council of Foundations, and Ujamaa Place. 17 In 2021, the group also provided a grant for $16,500 to the left-of-center advocacy group Minnesota Council on Nonprofits. 18

Financials

In 2023, the St. Paul and Minnesota Foundation held over $1.8 billion in assets, and the community foundation granted $106 million to 3,253 organizations. The community foundation also offers donor advised funds, through which fundholders can direct their own donations. 19

Leadership

Since 2015, Eric J. Jolly has been the president and chief executive officer of the Saint Paul and Minnesota Foundation. Before joining the community foundation, Jolly worked for a decade as president of the Science Museum of Minnesota and before that as vice president and senior scientist at the Education Development Center in Massachusetts. He has also worked in successive academic roles at several colleges and universities, including professor, dean, assistant chancellor and director for Affirmative Action and Diversity. He is a life member of the Society for Advancement of Chicanos and Native Americans in Science, a life fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science and former member of the board of the National Museum of the American Indian. 20

References

  1. “Operationalizing Equity.” Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation. Accessed September 2, 2024. https://spmcf.org/blog/how-we-operationalize-equity.
  2. “Eric J. Jolly.” Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation. Accessed September 2, 2024. https://spmcf.org/team/eric-j-jolly.
  3. “History.” Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation. Accessed August 31, 2024. https://spmcf.org/who-we-are/history.
  4. “Eric J. Jolly.” Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation. Accessed September 2, 2024. https://spmcf.org/team/eric-j-jolly.
  5. “About the Saint Paul & Minnesota…” Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation. Accessed September 2, 2024. https://spmcf.org/who-we-are.
  6. “Eric J. Jolly.” Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation. Accessed September 2, 2024. https://spmcf.org/team/eric-j-jolly.
  7. “Investments.” Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation. Accessed September 2, 2024. https://spmcf.org/what-we-do/investments.
  8. “Advocating for Equity.” Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation. Accessed September 2, 2024. https://spmcf.org/what-we-do/advocate-for-equity.
  9. Peterson, Stephanie. “Four Lessons Learned From…” Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation. Accessed August 31, 2024. https://spmcf.org/blog/equity-in-grantmaking-data.
  10. “Operationalizing Equity.” Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation. Accessed September 2, 2024. https://spmcf.org/blog/how-we-operationalize-equity.
  11. “Facing Race Awards: Anti-Racism…” Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation. Accessed September 2, 2024. https://spmcf.org/what-we-do/facing-race-awards.
  12. “Art in This Present Moment.” Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation. Accessed September 2, 2024. https://spmcf.org/what-we-do/advocate-for-equity/art.
  13. “2023: A Year of Collective…” Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation. Accessed September 1, 2024. https://spmcf.org/blog/2023-year-in-review.
  14. “Countering Hate.” Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation. Accessed September 2, 2024. https://spmcf.org/what-we-do/advocate-for-equity/countering-hate-event.
  15. “Operationalizing Equity.” Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation. Accessed September 2, 2024. https://spmcf.org/blog/how-we-operationalize-equity.
  16. “St. Paul & Minnesota Foundation,” Return of Organization Exempt From Income Tax (Form 990) 2022. Schedule I.
  17. “St. Paul & Minnesota Foundation,” Return of Organization Exempt From Income Tax (Form 990) 2022. Schedule I.
  18. “St. Paul & Minnesota Foundation,” Return of Organization Exempt From Income Tax (Form 990) 2022. Schedule I.
  19.  “2023: A Year of Collective…” Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation. Accessed September 1, 2024. https://spmcf.org/blog/2023-year-in-review.
  20. “Eric J. Jolly.” Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation. Accessed September 2, 2024. https://spmcf.org/team/eric-j-jolly.
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Nonprofit Information

  • Accounting Period: December - November
  • Tax Exemption Received: February 1, 1995

    • Available Filings

    Period Form Type Total revenue Total functional expenses Total assets (EOY) Total liabilities (EOY) Unrelated business income? Total contributions Program service revenue Investment income Comp. of current officers, directors, etc. Form 990
    2022 Dec Form 990 $122,971,818 $112,915,952 $1,457,121,171 $10,935,759 Y $70,662,323 $1,052,821 $29,555,458 $2,190,493 PDF
    2021 Dec Form 990 $301,856,819 $128,433,023 $1,669,011,772 $15,020,883 Y $89,927,692 $1,308,887 $32,485,140 $2,146,088
    2020 Dec Form 990 $466,800,402 $119,923,634 $1,455,475,706 $16,215,909 Y $416,808,526 $1,625,078 $21,114,159 $1,620,773 PDF
    2019 Dec Form 990 $118,527,281 $71,078,537 $1,001,580,688 $13,874,964 Y $45,527,654 $4,321,178 $20,834,813 $1,842,281 PDF
    2018 Dec Form 990 $109,181,391 $73,339,461 $875,742,688 $14,621,689 Y $42,969,721 $4,014,755 $17,756,598 $1,759,287 PDF
    2017 Dec Form 990 $119,822,337 $76,717,221 $936,308,381 $14,052,285 Y $49,431,774 $4,502,533 $13,913,703 $1,405,689 PDF
    2016 Dec Form 990 $70,805,559 $64,514,320 $837,658,126 $12,221,796 Y $28,420,375 $4,468,574 $13,476,744 $1,522,985 PDF
    2015 Dec Form 990 $74,826,640 $61,627,445 $796,613,438 $14,741,938 Y $33,149,075 $4,644,891 $12,458,673 $1,482,059 PDF
    2014 Dec Form 990 $103,858,176 $66,168,397 $813,150,586 $16,170,063 Y $45,286,115 $4,364,136 $13,690,162 $1,558,294 PDF
    2013 Dec Form 990 $87,728,997 $70,808,535 $785,003,567 $14,960,532 Y $42,272,193 $4,034,685 $11,493,972 $1,170,312 PDF
    2012 Dec Form 990 $66,338,852 $92,525,679 $695,259,473 $15,664,482 Y $37,922,428 $3,290,325 $11,592,871 $1,109,301 PDF
    2011 Dec Form 990 $89,802,030 $70,638,294 $675,284,221 $10,561,964 Y $52,554,514 $3,082,728 $12,205,676 $1,334,477 PDF

    Additional Filings (PDFs)

    St. Paul and Minnesota Foundation


    St. Paul, MN