The funder's mission focuses on addressing important community needs in Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, and the 23 Native nations within that geography. The mission is achieved by partnering with public and philanthropic organizations to increase innovation, leverage significant partnerships, and quickly respond to emergency situations, thereby attracting additional resources to the region.
The Ecosystem Grants program focuses on providing operating support to key organizations that enable problem solving by creating a nurturing environment for leaders and groups working on various issues. Particular emphasis is placed on organizations not limited to a single issue but those that work across multiple domains, with exceptions for groups focusing on student-centered learning, utilizing the arts to tackle community challenges, and supporting the sovereignty of Native nations. The grant aims to support organizations that are crucial for providing data and analysis, advancing public awareness and policy, spreading impactful ideas and building capacity, as well as fostering leadership networks. These organizations can receive up to $450,000 over three years, with additional funds dedicated to capacity-building efforts.