Whole-Person Health and Wellbeing Grant

The George Family Foundation offers a grant opportunity for organizations whose work aligns with its mission to support whole-person health, authentic leadership, youth development, spirituality and inner life, and environmental stewardship. Based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, the Foundation emphasizes transformative change and systemic impact within the communities it serves. Prospective new grantees are encouraged to submit a Letter of Inquiry (LOI), which provides an introduction to the organization and its alignment with the Foundation’s philanthropic focus areas. To be considered, applicants must be registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations operating within specific geographic regions: Minnesota, Dallas, Northern San Francisco Bay Area/Marin County, and the Vail Valley. The Foundation clearly states it does not fund capital improvements, endowments, or medical/scientific research. Preference is given to organizations with annual budgets exceeding $1 million, and funding is typically awarded as a smaller percentage of a program's total budget. The Foundation seldom supports the first year of new initiatives or pilot programs. The LOI process is highly selective. While the Foundation seeks new partnerships, it funds only a limited number of applicants. Historically, just 4% of submitted LOIs are invited to submit full proposals, and only 1% of those ultimately receive funding. Current or renewing grantees bypass the LOI step and should contact Foundation staff directly. Full proposals are by invitation only and based on alignment with focus-area aspirations and current funding priorities. LOIs are accepted during two windows annually, each targeting specific focus areas. From September 1 to January 5, the Foundation accepts LOIs related to Authentic Leadership, Youth Development, and Spirituality and Inner Life. From March 1 to June 5, LOIs are accepted for Whole-Person Health and Wellbeing and Environment focus areas. Community and Next Generation Fund areas are closed to new applicants. Selected organizations will be invited to submit full proposals in early March or mid-to-late August, with final grant decisions made at the Foundation’s board meetings in June and December, respectively. All applicants will be notified of their status in March or August, regardless of whether they are invited to submit a full proposal. Invited organizations will receive access to the Foundation’s proposal portal, instructions, and submission deadlines. While the application process is competitive, the Foundation emphasizes transparency and values applicants’ time, encouraging only those who strongly align with their mission to apply. For inquiries, organizations may contact Andrea Ricci, the Foundation’s Grants and Operations Manager. The LOI portal is currently open and accessible via the Foundation’s website. The George Family Foundation’s mailing address is 1818 Oliver Avenue South, Minneapolis, MN 55405, and its phone number is (612) 377-3476.

Ensure strong alignment with Foundation’s focus areas; apply only if your budget and location meet criteria.