John and Denise Graves Foundation
Historical FunderMinneapolis, Minnesota · EIN 47-1300668 · Private foundation · Website
Grants paid (2024)$2.8M
Organizations funded85
Typical grant$30,000
Total assets$47.6M
Half of its grants to organizations were between $5,000 and $40,000.
From the return
How to apply
The foundation filed the following application information (Form 990-PF Part XV, tax year 2024):
| Contact | LETTER OF INTENT ACCEPTED BY E-MAIL |
|---|---|
| Address | 2929 CHICAGO AVENUE SOUTH SUITE 100, MINNEAPOLIS MN 55407 |
| Phone | 6123899820 |
| INFO@JDGRAVESFOUNDATION.ORG | |
| Form and materials | UNSOLICITED LETTERS OF INTEREST THAT ARE SUBMITTED FOLLOWING OUR GUIDELINES WILL BE READ AS THE FOUNDATION STAFF IS ABLE. PROPOSALS SELECTED BY FOUNDATION STAFF FOR APPROVAL WILL BE REVIEWED AT SUBSEQUENT BOARD MEETINGS. |
| Deadlines | NONE/OPEN APPLICATION PROCESS |
| Restrictions | JOHN AND DENISE GRAVES FOUNDATION FUNDS FALL INTO THREE CATEGORIES: 1. EDUCATION - K-12 FOCUSED ORGANIZATIONS, SCHOOLS, AND SCHOOL SYSTEMS ON A PATH TO CREATING STRONG, STABLE, WELL-GOVERNED SCHOOLS AND SCHOOL SYSTEMS, AND MAKING POSITIVE CHANGES. 2. YOUTH POWER BUILDING - ORGANIZATIONS THAT PROVIDE SUPPORT, LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT, AND HOLISTIC MENTORSHIP TO UNDERSERVED YOUTH AS THEY LEAVE THE K-12 SYSTEM AND BEGIN THEIR JOURNEY TO ADULTHOOD, AND THOSE THAT WORK TOWARDS BETTERING YOUTH-INVOLVED SYSTEMS AND ENTITLEMENTS. 3. COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS THAT WORK TO MAINTAIN THE CULTURAL VIBRANCE AND DIVERSITY OF EAST LAKE STREET. JOHN AND DENISE GRAVES FOUNDATION DOES NOT FUND GRANTS TO INDIVIDUALS; FOR SACRAMENTAL OR THEOLOGICAL FUNCTIONS OF RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATIONS; FOR ANNUAL FUNDRAISING EVENTS; TO ENDOWMENTS; FOR PROPAGANDIZING, INFLUENCING LEGISLATION, AND/OR ELECTIONS, PROMOTING VOTER REGISTRATION, FOR POLITICAL CANDIDATES, POLITICAL CAMPAIGNS, OR FOR LITIGATION. |
Copied as filed. Deadlines on a tax return describe the foundation's usual process; they are not confirmation of a current open cycle.
What it funds
Share of grant lines on the latest return, classified from the purpose each grant states.
Where it gives
12% of grants went outside Minnesota.
Grants paid in tax year 2024
| Recipient | Location | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Youthprise | Minneapolis, MN | Youth development | $250,000 |
| YMCA of the North | Minneapolis, MN | Housing | $190,000 |
| Venn Foundation | Saint Paul, MN | Discretionary | $150,000 |
| Achieve Twin Cities | Minneapolis, MN | Discretionary | $83,316 |
| Great Mn Schools | Minneapolis, MN | Education | $75,000 |
| Peris Foundation | Minneapolis, MN | Housing | $65,000 |
| Youthprise | Minneapolis, MN | Youth development | $60,000 |
| Catholic Charities Twin Cities | Minneapolis, MN | Youth development | $50,000 |
| Ed Allies | Minneapolis, MN | Education | $50,000 |
| Education Evolving | Minneapolis, MN | Education | $50,000 |
| Educators 4 Excellence | New York, NY | Education | $50,000 |
| Foster Advocates | Saint Paul, MN | Youth development | $50,000 |
| Foster Advocates | Saint Paul, MN | Youth development | $50,000 |
| Friendship Academy of the Arts | Minneapolis, MN | Education | $50,000 |
| Improve Your Tomorrow | Sacramento, CA | Education | $50,000 |
| Normandale Community College Foundation | Bloomington, MN | Education | $50,000 |
| Project for Pride and Living | Minneapolis, MN | Youth development | $50,000 |
| Hope Academy | Minneapolis, MN | Education | $45,000 |
| People Serving People | Minneapolis, MN | Discretionary | $45,000 |
| Above the Rim Youth Sports Foundation | Minneapolis, MN | Youth development | $40,000 |
| Access Philanthropy Charities | Minneapolis, MN | Education | $40,000 |
| Bridgemakers | Saint Paul, MN | Youth development | $40,000 |
| Chartersource | Woodbury, MN | Education | $40,000 |
| Circle of Discipline | Minneapolis, MN | Youth development | $40,000 |
| Closeknit | Minneapolis, MN | Discretionary | $40,000 |
| Friends of the Hennepin County Library | Minneapolis, MN | Youth development | $40,000 |
| Legal Rights Center | Minneapolis, MN | Education | $40,000 |
| Migizi | Minneapolis, MN | Youth development | $40,000 |
| Minnesota Alliance With Youth | Saint Paul, MN | Education | $40,000 |
| Pillsbury United Communities | Minneapolis, MN | Education | $40,000 |
| Pillsbury United Communities | Minneapolis, MN | Education | $40,000 |
| Uncommon Construction | New Orleans, LA | Youth development | $40,000 |
| Why You Initiative | Minneapolis, MN | Youth development | $40,000 |
| Wildflyer Coffee | Minneapolis, MN | Youth development | $40,000 |
| Youthprise | Minneapolis, MN | Youth development | $40,000 |
| Beacon Interfaith Housing Collaborative | Saint Paul, MN | Housing | $35,000 |
| Hennepin Healthcare Foundation | Minneapolis, MN | Youth development | $35,000 |
| Heritage Youth Sports Foundation | Minneapolis, MN | Youth development | $35,000 |
| University of Minnesota Foundation | Minneapolis, MN | Youth development | $35,000 |
| Benilde-St Margaret's School | St Louis Park, MN | Discretionary | $34,700 |
| Al-Maa'uun | Minneapolis, MN | Education | $30,000 |
| Colectiva Bilingue | Minneapolis, MN | Education | $30,000 |
| Connections to Independence | Minneapolis, MN | Youth development | $30,000 |
| National Parents Union Inc | Woburn, AL | Education | $30,000 |
| Pillsbury United Communities | Minneapolis, MN | Education | $30,000 |
| Positive Image | Brooklyn Park, MN | Youth development | $30,000 |
| Youthprise | Minneapolis, MN | Housing | $30,000 |
| Youthprise | Minneapolis, MN | Youth development | $30,000 |
| Foster Advocates | Saint Paul, MN | Youth development | $25,000 |
| Teach for America Chicago | Boston, MA | Education | $25,000 |
| The Beautywell Project | Saint Paul, MN | Youth development | $25,000 |
| Advancing Equity Coalition | Minneapolis, MN | Education | $20,000 |
| Ed Allies | Minneapolis, MN | Education | $20,000 |
| Great Mn Schools | Minneapolis, MN | Education | $20,000 |
| Latino Youth Development Collaborative | Minneapolis, MN | Education | $20,000 |
| Minnesota Association of Charter School Authorizers (Macsa) | Minneapolis, MN | Education | $15,000 |
| Camino | Minneapolis, MN | Discretionary | $12,000 |
| Bridge to Basics | Wayzata, MN | Discretionary | $11,250 |
| Friends of the Global Market | Minneapolis, MN | Discretionary | $10,000 |
| Centro Guadalupano | Minneapolis, MN | Discretionary | $5,000 |
Showing the 60 largest of 85 grants to organizations.
Giving by year
| Tax year | Grants paid | Grant lines |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $2,801,285 | 85 |
| 2023 | $2,869,198 | 96 |
Sources
- IRS Form 990-PF, tax year 2024, filed Oct 21, 2025 - IRS e-file batch, object ID 202542949349100234
- IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search for EIN 47-1300668
- Profile updated Nov 4, 2026
Facts on this page come from the foundation's own IRS Form 990-PF filings as published by the IRS. Grantvello does not know whether a foundation is accepting proposals right now: a past grant is not an open opportunity. Always confirm current guidelines with the funder before applying.