Recent Grants

The Graves Foundation works to realize a future where all children and youth in our community can achieve thriving adult lives. The foundation focuses on closing equity gaps and improving the lives of youth by supporting education, community building, housing, and youth development in and around Minneapolis. The foundation incubates people and ideas, grow and nurture networks, and act collectively. In grantmaking the Graves Foundation focuses on closing equity gaps and improving the lives of youth by supporting education, community-building, housing, and youth development in and around Minneapolis.

Priority areas:

• Education: We're committed to stable, rigorous, and welcoming school communities for every child. To achieve that, Minneapolis needs healthy school governing bodies, family empowerment, and diverse quality educators. We invest in leaders and schools doing that work.
• Youth Development: We want to see a Minneapolis where all youth thrive into adulthood and are committed to listening to youth about what that means to them. We're intensely focused on youth who have been impacted by foster care. We're dedicated to institutional reform and to exploring youth entitlements. 
• Housing: Stable housing is foundational to youth wellbeing and impacts every part of youth life, from education to health. We're committed leaders and organizations who understand the current housing crisis and are looking for innovative, upstream solutions.
• Community: We office in the Midtown Exchange building on Lake St and are committed to our community and to being a good neighbor in South Minneapolis. We want to partner with community-focused developers who help make our city a vibrant place, and we're invested in leaders who prioritize cultural vitality.