A Look at the Emerald Foundation’s Low-Key Giving in Minnesota
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Though the foundation is based in the South Dakota city of Sioux Falls, most of its grants go to groups in nearby Minnesota. Photo: Steven Frame/shutterstock
The Minneapolis-Saint Paul area of Minnesota is often considered the major hub for philanthropy in the Upper Midwest. But there are smaller and lesser-known foundations in other parts of the region as well, such as Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
The Emerald Foundation, based in Sioux Falls, maintains a low profile and can be challenging for nonprofits to get to know. Here is a basic primer on the Emerald Foundation and how it gives to local organizations.
A broad range of interests
The Emerald Foundation does not have a website, which limits the information publicly available about its grantmaking activities and procedures. But a review of recent tax filings makes it clear that this funder has broad interests and considers numerous topics for its charitable donations each year.
For example, recent grants have gone to theaters, disaster relief organizations, children’s shelters and public radio organizations. Other interests include affordable housing, historical societies and hospital funds. Its top funding interests overall are arts and culture, health and human services. Emerald Foundation grants go toward both general operating costs and specific programs.
Most funding stays in Minnesota
Although the Emerald Foundation is based in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, almost all of its grants go to groups in Minnesota. Geographically, Sioux Falls is on the far eastern side of South Dakota and just a few miles from the Minnesota state line.
Many current and past grantees are based in the Minnesota cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul, with funding also going to smaller communities like Shoreview. The foundation also backs organizations in some Wisconsin towns, such as Hudson and La Crosse. Overall, most grants have a local focus. National funding is rare.
Unsolicited requests unwelcome
As a general rule, the Emerald Foundation is not open to receiving unsolicited applications and prefers to seek out its own grantees. The foundation does not appear to have a full-time staff, but the trustees are the Dorsey Whitney Trust Company and Thomas R. Youngren. Foundation assets have hovered between $4 million and $5 million lately, while the average grant is between $10,000 and $100,000.
Learn more about the Emerald Foundation and how to get in touch by checking out IP’s full profile of the Emerald Foundation in our Upper Midwest and Plains funding guide.
