Elmer L. and Eleanor J. Andersen Foundation Legacy Grants
Elmer and Eleanor Andersen had a wide range of interests that they supported throughout their lives. This grant program continues their legacy of investing in these community issues.
The legacy grant focus area is the only type of grant area where we accept unsolicited grant proposals.
Applications submitted before Feb 1, 2025 at 12am will be reviewed and awarded in the Spring of 2025. Applications submitted between Feb 1, 2025 and Sept 1, 2025 at 12am will be reviewed and awarded in the Fall of 2025.
Focus Areas:
Arts and Humanities
“ . . . any great art, great music or any ennobling experience tends to quicken our sense of the divine. Life has little significance without the overtone of divinity.”
– Elmer L. Andersen from I Trust to Be Believed
Communications
“I don’t try to tell you what to think, but I would like to tell you to think.”
– Elmer L. Andersen from A Man’s Reach
Education
“A strong emphasis on education is the secret to securing this nation’s future.”
– Elmer L. Andersen from I Trust to Be Believed
Environment
“We should never stray too far from communing with nature, nor for too long.”
– Elmer L. Andersen from Views from the Publisher’s Desk
Human Services
“Service to humanity should be the ultimate goal of all education and of every life.”
– Elmer L. Andersen from A Man’s Reach
Libraries
“A library is a community’s temple of learning.”
– Elmer L. Andersen from I Trust to Be Believed
Funding Guidelines and Restrictions
- The geographic focus of legacy grants is Minnesota, primarily the Twin Cities metropolitan area.
- In general, the Andersen Foundation provides support for general operations or projects rather than capital campaigns or endowments.
- Support is generally given on an annual basis.
- Organizations may apply once per year.
- Only nonprofit, IRS-determined 501(c)(3) organizations may apply.
- Although grants outside this range have been awarded, most successful applicants request an amount between $1,000 and $3,000.
- The Andersen Foundation does not provide support for:
- Individuals
- Health-related organizations
- Religious organizations for religious work
- Organizations with three consecutive declined requests
- Fundraisers, one-time events, dinners, or telephone solicitations
Click on the "Apply" button to the right to begin your application.
If you have any questions on how to apply, please email grantsadministration@mplsfoundation.org.
Elmer L. and Eleanor J. Andersen Foundation’s Legacy Grants Program
Elmer L. and Eleanor J. Andersen Foundation Legacy Grants
Elmer and Eleanor Andersen had a wide range of interests that they supported throughout their lives. This grant program continues their legacy of investing in these community issues.
The legacy grant focus area is the only type of grant area where we accept unsolicited grant proposals.
Applications submitted before Feb 1, 2025 at 12am will be reviewed and awarded in the Spring of 2025. Applications submitted between Feb 1, 2025 and Sept 1, 2025 at 12am will be reviewed and awarded in the Fall of 2025.
Focus Areas:
Arts and Humanities
“ . . . any great art, great music or any ennobling experience tends to quicken our sense of the divine. Life has little significance without the overtone of divinity.”
– Elmer L. Andersen from I Trust to Be Believed
Communications
“I don’t try to tell you what to think, but I would like to tell you to think.”
– Elmer L. Andersen from A Man’s Reach
Education
“A strong emphasis on education is the secret to securing this nation’s future.”
– Elmer L. Andersen from I Trust to Be Believed
Environment
“We should never stray too far from communing with nature, nor for too long.”
– Elmer L. Andersen from Views from the Publisher’s Desk
Human Services
“Service to humanity should be the ultimate goal of all education and of every life.”
– Elmer L. Andersen from A Man’s Reach
Libraries
“A library is a community’s temple of learning.”
– Elmer L. Andersen from I Trust to Be Believed
Funding Guidelines and Restrictions
- The geographic focus of legacy grants is Minnesota, primarily the Twin Cities metropolitan area.
- In general, the Andersen Foundation provides support for general operations or projects rather than capital campaigns or endowments.
- Support is generally given on an annual basis.
- Organizations may apply once per year.
- Only nonprofit, IRS-determined 501(c)(3) organizations may apply.
- Although grants outside this range have been awarded, most successful applicants request an amount between $1,000 and $3,000.
- The Andersen Foundation does not provide support for:
- Individuals
- Health-related organizations
- Religious organizations for religious work
- Organizations with three consecutive declined requests
- Fundraisers, one-time events, dinners, or telephone solicitations
Click on the "Apply" button to the right to begin your application.
If you have any questions on how to apply, please email grantsadministration@mplsfoundation.org.