First Universalist Foundation
Foundation Nominations Open!
The First Universalist Foundation Board is now accepting nominations for the 2024-2025 grant cycle!
The First Universalist Foundation welcomes nominations of organizations that address racial justice, climate justice, and human rights. The Foundation Board is accepting nominations through Sunday, February 2nd, 2025 from First Universalist congregants (regardless of membership status) and senior high youth in the church. One (1) person must submit a nomination backed by one (1) co-signers. Nominee organizations that are selected by the Foundation Board will then be sent our grant application.
Please submit your nomination HERE!
The Foundation
The First Universalist Foundation acts as a catalyst for social change by promoting and supporting the development of emerging leaders, youth, young adults, and marginalized communities through monetary grants to nonprofits working in those communities.
The First U Foundation was created in 1984 from an endowment fund resulting from the sale of Unity Settlement House, a neighborhood center owned by the predecessor to First Universalist Church, The Church of the Redeemer, since 1893.
The settlement house was purchased from the church and demolished when I-94 was built through north Minneapolis. The settlement house served immigrant and Indigenous families on the near north side of the city. The Foundation strives to carry on that legacy through grants from income on the endowment.
Historically, the First U Foundation has given out grants ranging from $5,000 to $20,000.
The Foundation nominating process typically opens in December or January and closes in February. Check this page or the weekly newsletter for information.
Giving Priorities and Criteria:
1. Demonstrate the potential to address one or more causes or forms of injustice.
2. Work to engage youth, young adults, and/or disenfranchised communities in the work of social change.
3. Have a commitment to measuring the impact or success of the funded program.
4. Focus on the greater Twin Cities metropolitan area.
5. Organizations with annual budgets of less than $1,000,000 will be given greater priority.
6. Organization leadership and/or board members reflect the community that the organization wishes to serve (BIPOC, women, individuals from disenfranchised communities).
7. Organizations that have been funded 3 times in the last 5 years may be considered lower priority.
Check out our 2024 grant recipients below:
| Organization | $ |
| LYDC – Latino Youth Development Collaborative | 10000 |
| Minnesota Interfaith Coalition on Migration (ICOM) | 10000 |
| BLUU – Black Lives of Unitarian Universalism | 10000 |
| Walk-In Counseling Center | 5000 |
| Bolder Options | 7500 |
| Beyond Walls Twin Cities | 2500 |
| Minnesota Prison Writing Workshop | 7500 |
| Exposed Brick Theater | 4000 |
| Our Justice | 7500 |
| Midwest Food Connection | 3500 |
| Augsburg Fairview Academy (AFA) | 7500 |
| Total | $ 75,000 |
The 2024-2025 Foundation Board:
Lynn Broaddus
Kaitlin Hallett-Pugh
Ingrid Moe
Philipp Muessig
Vicky Nier
Marnie Peichel
Isabel Quast
Dale Schwie