Our Home State Ecosystem Grant Program
Our Home State Ecosystem Grant Program supports Minnesota housing and shelter organizations with general operating funds to strengthen services and expand access to stable, affordable homes.
Funder: Saint Paul and Minnesota Foundation
Due Dates: August 3, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. (Letter of Inquiry) | October 9, 2026, at noon (Invited full application)
Funding Amounts: Shelter: $500,000 over five years | Affordable housing: up to $750,000 over five years
Summary: General operating grants strengthen Minnesota affordable housing and emergency shelter organizations to expand access to stable, affordable homes.
Key Information: At least 50% of overall programs and services must benefit East Metro and/or Greater Minnesota residents.
Description
The Our Home State Ecosystem Grant Program is a collaboration of the Saint Paul and Minnesota Foundation, F. R. Bigelow Foundation and Mardag Foundation, with support from businesses, peer foundations and individual donors. It provides five-year general operating support to organizations ensuring access to affordable housing or emergency shelter. Its goal is an equitable future in which all Minnesotans have a stable home they can afford.
The program strengthens nonprofit developers, providers and housing system actors through staffing, security, case management and development planning. It also helps shelters deliver consistent, responsive services for people experiencing homelessness, including facility and equipment improvements, safety measures, ongoing operations, case management, aftercare and outreach. Grantmaking focuses on the East Metro, Greater Minnesota and Tribal Communities.
