FAQs
What is your mission?
The mission of Northwest Area Foundation is to support efforts by the people, organizations and communities of our eight-state region to reduce poverty and achieve sustainable prosperity. The Foundation’s eight-state region consists of Minnesota, Iowa, North Dakota, South Dakota, Montana, Idaho, Washington and Oregon. These were the states served by the Great Northern Railway which was owned by James J. Hill. It was Hill’s family that established the Northwest Area Foundation in 1934.
How do you achieve your mission?
We strive to achieve our mission by supporting proven or promising organizations within our eight-state region that develop and implement projects that build assets and wealth. We fund several strategies around that work, including building capacity and leadership and improving public policy solutions for low-income populations.
How do I submit a grant proposal to the Foundation?
At this time, the Foundation issues targeted invitations for proposals to organizations doing proven or promising work in key focus areas. We anticipate that most of our funding decisions will be shaped through this process. We do not accept unsolicited proposals at this time.
What do you mean by “proven or promising organizations”?
A proven organization is one that has demonstrated successful poverty reduction initiatives. A promising organization is one that is on the cutting edge and poised to do innovative work in poverty reduction and prosperity building. The Foundation also considers an organization’s operational and leadership capacity, its partnerships, and its connections to its community, as well as other qualities
Where is your staff located?
All staff is located at our St. Paul, Minnesota offices. Our address is:
Northwest Area Foundation
Suite 400
60 Plato Boulevard East
St. Paul, MN 55107
651-224-9635
Where are most of your resources focused?
The Foundation’s resources are focused on its mission – to support the people, organizations and communities of our eight-state region to reduce poverty and achieve sustainable prosperity. This is done through grants as well as through mission-related investments and program-related investments.
For more information: (888) 904-9828 or via email at grants@nwaf.org.