As Minnesota navigates ongoing challenges due to shifts in federal funding and on-the-ground activities, the Minnesota Council on Foundations (MCF) continues to engage our members and partners in important conversations about the impacts these challenges have on communities and how philanthropy can be a source of support. We are in a moment of significant threat to our legal norms, constitutional protections, federal funding predictability, and systems of democracy — and a moment that requires a multi-pronged approach because organizations are facing many legal questions and needs. MCF launched the Minnesota Legal Fund to provide a pooled funding opportunity for Minnesota philanthropy to collectively be a part of the solution.
About the Minnesota Legal Fund
The Minnesota Legal Fund is a key strategy for MCF to mobilize Minnesota philanthropy and support the broader community. Collective philanthropic responses, alongside individual philanthropic actions, serve to unite and mobilize Minnesota philanthropy to achieve a greater impact and demonstrate that we are stronger together. This fund provides resources for two critical strategies:
- Increase legal support and capacity for Minnesota nonprofit organizations whose work is threatened by federal actions.
- Increase the capacity for litigation that protects Minnesotans from harm and challenges federal actions that unfairly reduce federal funding for Minnesota and/or conflict with Minnesota laws, constitutional protections, or the principles and values commonly held by philanthropy.
The Minnesota Legal Fund is a pooled fund housed at MCF intended to provide rapid-response support to the nonprofit sector and those who engage in the legal challenges of the day.
Distribution Process
The Fund provides a small number of larger grants and gifts, largely through an invitation process. MCF works with a small group of informal advisors to help inform the distribution process and strategy.
Minnesota Legal Fund Funders
The strength of Minnesota's philanthropic sector lies in our shared commitment to create positive, lasting change. Thank you to the 17 funders that have contributed $1.7+ million to the Minnesota Legal Fund since its inception in 2025.
Please consider joining this collective philanthropic effort by contributing to the Minnesota Legal Fund.
Get Involved
If you have questions and/or are interested in joining this collective philanthropic effort, please reach out to MCF Vice President of Policy and Partnerships, Katina Mortensen.