Community Grants Process

The grant application for 2025 will open on May 19th. The application will close on July 21. Our awards event is tentatively scheduled for the morning of September 18. The below documents will be updated but are left here for reference.

Community Grants Request Policy

Community Grants Application - static PDF | editable version

2024 Community Grants Recipients
The Eagan Community Foundation awarded $10,600 in grants to 14 non‐profit organizations to meet critical community needs.  This year’s awards reflect a focus on shelter and housing for the homeless, services for at-risk youth, food and nutrition, services to help move low-income families toward stability and youth development  –– programs that would provide a significant boost to those who are struggling. The Youth in Philanthropy Initiative returned for its fourth year with a focus on grantmaking to organizations serving other youth.  The youth group evaluated requests and directed approximately 1/4th of the total grants funding to initiatives they felt were most important to Eagan youth. Awards were distributed at an event at Emagine Theater in April.

Learn More About the 2024 Grant Recipients
Dakota Woodlands: summer children’s programming - nutrition and activities | Video Report from past year | Volunteer Information
Eagan High School AVID: support for college campus visits for first generation college students
Eagan High School Band for All: funding to repair instruments for students
The Drawer: New storage equipment | Volunteer Information
Every Meal (formerly Sheridan’s Story): weekend food program for District 196 students | Volunteer Information
High Tech Kids: STEM summer camp for grades 4 - 5 | Volunteer Information
Kaitlin's Kloset: Shelving for resource center shopping area | Volunteer Information
The Link: Suburban Rapid Rehousing Program for youth experiencing homelessness | Video Report from past year | Volunteer Information
Loaves and Fishes: support for the Eagan dining site that serves healthy meals to people in need | Video Report from past year | Volunteer Information
MSS: Public interactive music expereince for Eagan participants | Volunteer Information
Open Door: operating support for the food pantry | Volunteer Information
Reaching Up: summer enrichment program for middle school students | Volunteer Information
TreeHouse: one-to-one mentoring programs, support groups, trips and activities for at risk teenagers | Video Report from past year | Volunteer Information
Lincoln Place/Wilder Foundation: General services for youth transitioning out of homelessness

Past Grant Recipients

360 Communities: support for Partners for Success, a program for at risk students | Video Report from past year | Volunteer Information
Art Works Eagan: general community art programming | Volunteer Information
Bowls for Brain Power: supporting weekend food pack for estimated 700-750 students | Video Report from past year
Dakota Woodlands: homeless children services including daycare and activities | Video Report from past year | Volunteer Information
DARTS: multicultural and diverse books for Learning Buddies program | Video Report from past year | Volunteer Information
The Drawer: Equipment for inventory and storage system | Volunteer Information
Eagan Art Festival: general support for Eagan Art Festival | Video Report from past year | Volunteer Information
Eagan High School Spectrums: LGBTQ+ Inclusive Dance
Eagan High School Team 2200 Blue Twilight First Robotics: Supplies for soldering classes for middle school girls
Eagan Police Department Youth Leadership Academy: Uniforms for second annual Youth Leadership Academy (leadership, ethics, and business development)
Kids N Kinship: funds for recruiting, training and matching adult volunteer mentors to youth who will benefit from having a caring role model | Video report from past year | Volunteer Information
Lincoln Place/Wilder Foundation: support for youth shelter staff & youth personal needs (clothing and groceries) | Volunteer Information
The Link: support and counseling to transition homeless youth into stable housing; see last year’s | Video Report from past year | Volunteer Information
Loaves and Fishes: support for the Eagan dining site that serves healthy meals to people in need | Video Report from past year | Volunteer Information
MSS: client visits to Cascade Bay | Volunteer Information
Open Door: operating support for the food pantry | Volunteer Information
Park Nicollet Growing Through Grief: Books on grief and loss | Video Report from past year |
Reaching Up: summer enrichment program for middle school students | Volunteer Information
Sleep in Heavenly Peace: Funds to purchase lumber and mattresses to help build beds | Volunteer Information
Young Builders and Designers: housing design Lego project for at-risk youth

2021 Grant Recipients

360 Communities: support for Partners for Success, a program for at risk students | Video Report from past year | Volunteer Information
Art Works Eagan: general community art programming | Volunteer Information
Bowls for Brain Power: supporting weekend food pack for estimated 700-750 students | Video Report from past year
Caponi Art Park: support creating an interactive, web-based guidebook and install wayfinding and information signs throughout the park | Volunteer Information
Dakota Woodlands: homeless children services including daycare and activities | Video Report from past year | Volunteer Information
DARTS: multicultural and diverse books for Learning Buddies program | Video Report from past year | Volunteer Information
Eagan Art Festival: general support for Eagan Art Festival | Video Report from past year | Volunteer Information
Eagan Men’s Chorus: concerts at senior citizens facilities in Eagan or Dakota County | Video Report from past year
Eagan High School AVID: support for college campus visits for first generation college students
Eagan High School Team 2200 Blue Twilight First Robotics: support to defray cost for robotic STEM courses for culturally diverse and underrepresented students
Eagan High School Forensics Boosters fee waivers for economically disadvantaged participants in speech and debate
Every Meal (formerly Sheridan’s Story) weekend food program for District 196 students | Volunteer Information
Kids N Kinship: funds for recruiting, training and matching adult volunteer mentors to youth who will benefit from having a caring role model | Volunteer Information
The Link: support and counseling to transition homeless youth into stable housing; see last year’s | Video Report from past year | Volunteer Information
Loaves and Fishes: support for the Eagan dining site that serves healthy meals to people in need | Video Report from past year | Volunteer Information
Meals on Wheels in NW Dakota County: funds to provide hot meals to elderly and infirm | Volunteer Information
Midwest Special Services: general operating support to organization supporting physically challenged clients | Volunteer Information
Open Door: operating support for the food pantry | Volunteer Information
Reaching Up: math tutoring for middle and high school students
TreeHouse: one-to-one mentoring program for at risk teenagers | Video Report from past year | Volunteer Information
Young Builders and Designers: housing design Lego project for at-risk youth

2020 Grant Recipients

360 Communities: support for Partners for Success, a program for at risk students | Video Report from past year
Advent Cares: supplies needed for a community-wide Day of Service volunteering effort | Video Report from past year
Art Works Eagan: general community art programming
Bowls for Brain Power: student/community event to create hand-made pottery for fundraising | Video Report from past year
Caponi Art Park: support Super Saturdays program of interactive experiences for children/ families
DARTS: multicultural and diverse books for Learning Buddies program | Video Report from past year
Dakota Woodlands: homeless children services including daycare and activities | Video Report from past year
Eagan Art Festival: materials for “hands-on art activities” for the 2020 Eagan Art Festival | Video Report from past year
Eagan High School AVID: support for college campus visits for first generation college students
Eagan High School English Language Learners: college visits for English Language Learners
Eagan High School Team 2200 Blue Twilight First Robotics: support for robot camp for culturally diverse and economically disadvantaged students
Eagan High School Women’s Empowerment Club: support for a Menstrual Access Project and general support
Eagan Men’s Chorus: concerts at senior citizens facilities in Eagan or Dakota County | Video Report from past year
Kids N Kinship: funds for recruiting, training and matching adult volunteer mentors to youth who will benefit from having a caring role model
Lincoln Place/Wilder Foundation: support for youth shelter staff & youth personal needs (clothing and groceries)
The Link: support and counseling to transition homeless youth into stable housing; see last year’s | Video Report from past year
Loaves and Fishes: support for the Eagan dining site that serves healthy meals to people in need | Video Report from past year
Meals on Wheels in NW Dakota County: funds to provide hot meals to elderly and infirm
Midwest Special Services: visits for Eagan clients to Root 21 Farms
Open Door: operating support for the food pantry
Reaching Up Ministries: math and science tutoring for high school students
Reading Across Generation: purchase of books, busing for students, and other costs for an inter-generational reading program
TreeHouse: one-to-one mentoring program for at risk teenagers | Video Report from past year

2019 Grant Recipients

The Eagan Community Foundation awarded $16,000 in grants to 21 nonprofit organizations to meet critical community needs. These awards reflect a focus on shelter and housing for the homeless, services for at-risk youth, food and nutrition, services to help move low-income families toward stability and youth development –– programs that will provide a significant boost to those who are struggling. The awards also include funding for the arts and education and keep with the Foundation’s mission of making Eagan a better place to live, learn, work and play for all. The recipients and funded projects are listed below.

360 Communities: support for Partners for Success, a program for at risk students (Video Report)

Advent Cares: supplies needed for a community-wide Day of Service volunteering effort (Video Report)

Art Works Eagan: funds for handicap-accessible building improvements

Bowls for Brain Power: clay and glaze for a student/community event to make hand-made pottery bowls Video Report

DARTS: multicultural and diverse books for Learning Buddies program (Video Report)

Dakota Woodlands: school supplies, shoes and activities for homeless children (Video Report)

Eagan American Legion: flag education materials and veteran’s outreach

Eagan Art Festival: materials for “hands-on art activities” for the 2019 Eagan Art Festival (Video Report)

Eagan High School AVID: support for college campus visits for first generation college students

Eagan High School Women in STEM: support for field trips for students in science and technology

Eagan’s Mens Chorus: concerts at senior citizens facilities in Eagan or Dakota County during 2019 (Video Report)

Eagan Parkrun: funds for startup equipment for weekly neighborhood runs (Video Report)

The Link: support and counseling to transition homeless youth into stable housing (Video Report)

Living Well Disabilities: assistive technology to foster independence among people with disabilities

Loaves and Fishes: support for the Eagan dining site that serves healthy meals to people in need (Video Report)

Meals on Wheels in NW Dakota County: for new delivery bags and meal enhancements

Midwest Special Services: funds toward virtual reality headsets for people with disabilities

Open Door: operating support for the food pantry

Park Nicollet Growing Through Grief: for a stress reduction tool kit for students in grief (Video Report)

Reaching Up Ministries: math and science tutoring for high school students

TreeHouse, Inc.: one-to-one mentoring program for at risk teenagers (Video Report)

2018 Grant Recipients

In 2018, the Eagan Community Foundation awarded $16,000 to 28 nonprofit groups that bettered the lives of Eagan residents. The recipients and funded projects are listed below.

360 Communities: groceries for clients to prepare meals while at the shelter

Advent Cares: supplies needed for a community-wide Day of Service volunteering effort (Video Report)

Adventures in Learning: field trips for summer grade school programs for English Language Learners (Video Report)

Art Works Eagan: lighting upgrades for the performance space

Bowls for Brain Power: clay and glaze for a student/community event to make hand-made pottery bowls

Caponi Art Park: support for performances and events and signage to help with park navigation

DARTS: multicultural and diverse books for Learning Buddies program (Video Report)

Dakota Woodlands: new mattresses for the shelter (Video Report)

Eagan American Legion: flag education materials and veteran’s outreach

Eagan Art Festival: materials for “hands-on art activities” for the Eagan Art Festival

Eagan High School: support for “Awards and Honors” events

Eagan High School Forensics Boosters: laptops for use by debate students from families in need

Eagan’s July 4th FunFest: support for the Eagan FunFest Ambassador and Candidate Program developing leaders for the future

Eagan’s Mens Chorus: concerts at senior citizens facilities in Eagan or Dakota County

Eagan Parkrun: funds for startup equipment for weekly neighborhood runs  (Video Report)

Girl Scout Troop 54052: laptop and Lego Robotics for STEM (Video Report)

Kids N Kinship:  Bowl-a-thon fundraiser support for at-risk children and their mentors (Video Report)

Lifeworks Services: community inclusion program for people with disabilities (Video Report)

The Link: a program to build life skills and self-sufficiency among homeless youth (Video Report)

Loaves and Fishes: supplies to enhance food safety and visibility at the dining site  (Video Report)

Meals on Wheels in NW Dakota County: additional meal enhancements (fresh fruit or homemade goodies) for Eagan residents

Midwest Special Services: to increase recreational participation among people with disabilities

Minnesota Scottish Fair: support for this “new to Eagan” festival  (Video Report)

Open Door: operating support for the food pantry

Park Nicollet Growing Through Grief: training for school-based crisis response (Video Report)

Pinewood PTO: robotics kits for Lego League educational activity

Reaching Up Ministries: supplies and healthy snacks for homework help program

Thunder PengWin Robotic Team: mini-robotic equipment

TreeHouse, Inc.: one-to-one mentoring program for at risk teenagers (Video Report)

2017 Grant Recipients

In 2017, the Eagan Community Foundation awarded $13,000 in funding to 18 local nonprofits, marking the Foundation’s largest annual grant cycle in its 27 year history. The recipients and funded projects are listed below.

360 Communities: groceries for clients to prepare meals while at the shelter

Advent Cares: supplies needed for a community-wide Day of Service volunteering effort

Adventures in Learning: field trips for summer grade school programs for English Language Learners

Art Works Eagan: series of community workshops and final art show

Bowls for Brain Power: clay and glaze for a student/community event to make hand-made pottery bowls

Caponi Art Park: support for performances and events and signage to help with park navigation

DARTS: multicultural and diverse books for Learning Buddies program

Eagan Art Festival: support for “hands-on art activities” for the Eagan Art Festival

Eagan High School Forensics Boosters: laptops for use by debate students from families in need

Eagan’s Mens Chorus: support for the Eagan’s Mens Chorus concerts at senior citizens facilities in Eagan or Dakota County

Eagan Theater Company: two lapel microphones and period-specific costumes for upcoming theater performances

Eagan’s July 4th FunFest: support the Eagan FunFest Ambassador and Candidate Program developing leaders for the future

The Link: support for Lincoln Place apartments for youth experiencing homelessness

Loaves and Fishes: building materials for a shed for food shelf garden

Meals on Wheels in NW Dakota County: additional meal enhancements (fresh fruit or homemade goods) for Eagan residents

Reaching Up Ministries: supplies and healthy snacks for homework help program

TreeHouse, Inc.: support for a one-to-one mentoring program for at risk teenagers

2016 Grant Recipients

In 2016, the Eagan Community Foundation awarded $8,293 to 13 nonprofit organizations that serve the Eagan community in a variety of ways. The recipients and funded projects are listed below.

360 Communities: Eagan Lewis House, purchase groceries for resident meals that clients will prepare at the shelter

BrainPower in a BackPack: purchase a new shelving unit

Caponi Art Park: for the 2016 Summer Performance Series and Family Fun Tuesdays programs

Cheerful Givers: purchase birthday gift bags and toys to be distributed at food shelves and shelters for less fortunate children

Eagan Art Festival: support the 2016 Eagan Art Festival

Eagan Men’s Chorus: performing over 20 concerts in Eagan and nearby communities

Eagan Theater Company: purchase two lapel microphones and period-specific costumes for upcoming theater performances

Eagan Women of Note: purchase new sound equipment and risers for the choir

EHS FIRST Robotics Team: build a competition-like field for Robotics Competition practices

Kids ‘n Kinship: activities at Eagan businesses and a community venue to support weekly mentoring relationships

The Link: support for Lincoln Place apartments

The Open Door: purchase food to provide additional fresh food throughout the winter months for their clients.

TreeHouse, Inc.: support youth programming at weekly peer support group

Photo Gallery

Look here to see the outstanding impact that the Community Grants Program has on Eagan residents.