Giving Priorities

treeSupport for Seniors

The Thorpe Foundation funds organizations that are committed to supporting vulnerable seniors, age 55+, to age with dignity, independence, and connection. The Foundation supports efforts that:

    • Provide home and community-based services that allow seniors to remain in the residence of their choice as long as they are able,
    • Reduce social isolation by providing opportunities for seniors to form or deepen social connections, develop new skills, and foster creativity,
    • Help seniors engage meaningfully in their communities, and
    • Use reciprocal multigenerational programs that foster empathy and build relationship across-generations

Support for Youth

The Thorpe Foundation funds organizations that provide individual youth, ages 12 to 18, with the support and services needed for a successful and healthy transition to adulthood. The Foundation supports efforts that:

    • Promote the development of self-awareness, self-management, and interpersonal skills needed for success in life, work, and school,
    • Focus on teaching youth the academic and employment skills necessary for adulthood,
    • Build participation in the arts and other enrichment activities which incorporate positive youth development goals, and
    • Use reciprocal multigenerational programs that foster empathy and build relationship across-generations.

Additional Grantmaking Information

The Thorpe Foundation is most likely to fund organizations or programs that prioritize services to members of the community who have low incomes as measured by common benchmarks such as: AMI, SNAP, Free and Reduced Lunch, or the Federal Poverty Rate.

Geographic Focus 

The Thorpe Foundation supports nonprofit organizations that are located in and/or primarily serving residents of Minneapolis and its first- and second-ring suburbs.

Budget Limits

The Thorpe Foundation limits its support to organizations with operating budgets of $3 million or less (even if the program for which the organization is seeking funding has a budget of less than $3 million).

Other Criteria 

Organizations must have at least one paid employee to receive funding consideration. Organizations that operate through a fiscal sponsor are not eligible for funding consideration.  

Types of Support

The Thorpe Foundation is most likely to make general operating or program support grants. The Foundation does not support capital purchases or campaigns, or endowments.