Our roots are deep in Minnesota. They stretch all across the state, and have been growing strong since the 1940s.

It all began when local business leaders started looking to private philanthropy to address community needs. Community foundations enabled them to draw together many donors to establish funds that would support a variety of local projects.

Over time, thousands of citizens made charitable gifts including cash, stocks, bequests, life insurance, trust funds and other types of assets. And each year, our Foundations make thousands of grants within our communities.

In 1984 Minnesota Community Foundation and The Saint Paul Foundation became affiliated. Today, we are two foundations sharing one direction.