The Carlson Family Foundation is inviting eligible nonprofit organizations to apply for its Youth Participatory Grantmaking Program, an innovative funding opportunity designed to empower local young people to influence community investment decisions. Through this unique initiative, youth leaders have played a central role in designing the grant application process, identifying community priorities, and reviewing applications to recommend funding awards of up to $20,000.

This grant opportunity reflects the Foundation’s commitment to supporting organizations that advance equity and create meaningful opportunities for young people. Funding will be directed toward initiatives that address critical community needs in education, environmental protection, poverty reduction, and mental health.

Grant Overview

The Carlson Family Foundation Youth Participatory Grantmaking Program is a community-centered funding initiative where young people actively participate in the grantmaking process. Rather than relying solely on traditional review panels, local youth help determine which projects and organizations will receive support based on the priorities they believe matter most to their communities.

Selected organizations may receive grants of up to $20,000 to expand or strengthen programs that positively impact youth and young adults.

Key Dates

Application Deadline: End of Day (EOD), Friday, July 17
Funding Decisions Announced: Late August

Organizations interested in applying should ensure that all application materials and supporting documents are submitted before the deadline.

Funding Priorities

Applicants must demonstrate how their programs advance equity in at least one of the following focus areas:

1. K-12 Education

Organizations may focus on:

Literacy programs
Academic support services
Mentorship initiatives
College and career readiness
Workforce development programs
Educational enrichment opportunities

2. Environmental Protection

Eligible activities may include:

Protection of natural resources
Green space development and preservation
Environmental education
River and watershed protection
Sustainability projects
Community environmental engagement

3. Poverty Elimination

Programs may address:

Stable housing solutions
Food security initiatives
Economic empowerment
Workforce development
Financial literacy
Access to essential services

4. Mental Health

Organizations working in mental health may focus on:

Crisis intervention services
Wellness and prevention programs
Mental health screenings
Counseling support
Advocacy and awareness campaigns
Youth mental health resources

Eligibility Requirements

To qualify for funding, organizations must meet all of the following criteria:

Have an annual operating budget of $1 million or less.
Hold an active 501(c)(3) nonprofit designation or operate under a fiscal sponsor.
Serve youth aged 24 years and below.
Operate within the Twin Cities 7-County Metro area.
Not be a current grantee of the Carlson Family Foundation.
Advance equity through programs aligned with one or more of the Foundation’s funding priorities.

Information Required in the Application

Applicants should be prepared to provide detailed organizational information during the application process.

Organization Details

Organizations will be asked to submit:

Legal organization name
Organization address
Organization website (if applicable)
Annual operating budget
Employer Identification Number (EIN), unless fiscally sponsored
Grant contact information:
- Name
- Job title
- Email address
Organization leadership information (if different from the grant contact):
- Name
- Job title
- Email address

Applicants must also indicate which primary focus area best aligns with their work:

K-12 Education
Environmental Protection
Poverty Elimination
Mental Health

Fiscal Sponsorship Information

Organizations operating under a fiscal sponsor must provide:

Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)
Fiscal sponsor contact details:
- Name
- Title
- Email address

Demographic Information Requested

The Foundation seeks to better understand organizational and participant demographics through the application.

Applicants will be asked to provide:

Organizational Demographics

Percentage of staff who identify as Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC)
Percentage of board members who identify as BIPOC

Participant Demographics

Number of participants served annually
Percentage identifying as BIPOC (optional)
Percentage identifying as LGBTQIA+ (optional)
Percentage identifying as having a physical, sensory, or cognitive disability (optional)

Age Groups Served

Applicants may select all applicable categories:

Grades K-5 (ages 5-11)
Middle School (grades 6-8, ages 11-14)
High School (grades 9-12, ages 14-18)
Young Adults (ages 18-24)
Adults (ages 24+)

Narrative Questions

Organizations will need to respond to four narrative questions, each with a maximum character limit of 2,000 characters.

Question 1

Tell us about your organization’s mission, programming, and what makes it unique.

Applicants should clearly explain their purpose, core activities, achievements, and distinguishing strengths.

Question 2

Describe the population(s) you serve and how you prioritize equity.

Organizations should discuss their target communities and explain how equity is integrated into program design and implementation.

Question 3

Describe how you elevate youth voice and leadership in your programming.

Since this is a youth-centered grant opportunity, applicants should provide concrete examples of how young people participate in leadership, decision-making, and program development.

Question 4

Describe the tools and resources your organization provides to young people that help them thrive.

Responses should highlight the services, supports, and opportunities that contribute to positive youth outcomes.

Required and Optional Supporting Documents

Required Attachment

Current Operating Budget

Optional Attachments

Organizations may strengthen their applications by including:

Photographs of programs and activities
Outreach materials
Flyers
Informational pamphlets
Community engagement resources

Why This Grant Matters

The Carlson Family Foundation Youth Participatory Grantmaking Program stands out because it places decision-making power in the hands of young people. By involving youth directly in the review and recommendation process, the Foundation ensures that funding reflects real community needs and priorities.

Organizations working to improve educational outcomes, protect the environment, reduce poverty, and support mental health can benefit from both financial support and recognition through this unique grant initiative.

Eligible organizations serving young people in the Twin Cities region are encouraged to submit a strong application before the July 17 deadline.

How to Apply

Interested organizations should prepare all required organizational information, narrative responses, and supporting documents before submitting their application.

For questions regarding the application process, organizations may contact:

Email: programs@carlsonfamilyfoundation.org

Applicants are encouraged to begin preparing their materials early to ensure a complete and competitive submission before the deadline.

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