Fostering Community Growth
Deeply Rooted In Our Community Of Faith
CCF distributes grants on behalf of our donors and institutional partners to organizations serving the spiritual, educational, and social needs of our Catholic community. And through the Legacy Fund, CCF addresses urgent and emerging community needs using funds donated without restriction.
When you give through CCF, you can have peace of mind and peace of heart knowing CCF screens all nonprofits — regardless of religious affiliation — to verify their tax status; financial management practices, accountability and transparency; grant use; and mission and program.
$18.0 million
Grants Distributed in Fiscal Year 2020
$190 million
Grants Distributed Since 1992
CCF Grantmaking Overview
Grants distributed by the Catholic Community Foundation of Minnesota (CCF) are either donor-directed or CCF-directed.
Recipients of donor-directed grants are either identified by the founding donor of an endowment and restricted to those charities in perpetuity; or are recommended in real time by the advisor of a donor advised fund.
Recipients of CCF-directed grants — also referred to as ”discretionary grants” — are identified by CCF. Through our discretionary grantmaking, we strive to be a catalyst for strength and vitality in our Catholic community.
*Note: CCF operates on a July 1 – June 30 fiscal year.


Donor-Directed
$16.0 million
Grants Distributed in Fiscal Year 2020
Recipients of donor-directed grants are either identified by the founding donor of an endowment and restricted to those charities in perpetuity; or are recommended in real time by the advisor of a donor advised fund.
Source of Grants
- Donor Advised Funds
- Institutional Endowments
- Community Endowments
Grantmaking Process
Grants from donor advised funds are processed weekly. Grants from institutional and community endowments are disbursed annually in the spring.

CCF-Directed
$2.0 million
Grants Distributed in Fiscal Year 2020
Recipients of CCF-directed grants are determined by a competitive invitation-only grant proposal process. The CCF Board of Directors’ Grants Committee approves all CCF-directed grants.
Grant Programs
You can read about CCF’s grantmaking programs by downloading the Grantseeker’s Guidebook below.
Grantmaking Process
CCF’s discretionary grant programs operate on a by-invitation-only basis. Download our Grantseeker’s Guidebook to learn more.
Current Giving Opportunity
Minnesota Catholic Relief Fund
An emergency relief fund designed to meet the urgent needs of our Catholic community. Give to the fund to support Catholic parishes and schools financially stressed by the COVID-19 pandemic or to provide direct support to our neighbors in greatest need in the aftermath of George Floyd’s death.
Current Grant Opportunity
Professional Development Grants
Grants up to $1,000 are available for Lay Ministers and Catholic School Teachers for professional development programs.
GET THE NEWSLETTER
Want to learn more about our grantmaking? Complete the form below. Be sure to opt-in to Community Insights to receive quarterly updates about critical needs and the charities working to make an impact.
Have Questions?
Get in Touch

Jules Vierling
Grants Manager
651-389-0880
Email Jules

Meg Payne Nelson
Vice President of Impact
651-389-0882
Email Meg