MCF Convenes Cross-Sector Working Group to Explore Minnesota Common Grant Reporting Process

During summer 2025, MCF is convening a working group comprised of representatives from philanthropy and nonprofits. The group aims to develop a set of processes and resources to support the Grant Report Process related to the Minnesota Common Grant. The working group aims to complete its work by fall 2025.

The Minnesota Common Grant aims to “democratize philanthropy one grant at a time.” The common grant is offered with the same spirit behind MCF’s Principles for Philanthropy – with a spirit of invitation. MCF invites funders to use all or part of the tool as part of a commitment to removing unnecessary barriers between grantseekers and grant dollars. The value of the common grant lies in funders’ collective commitment. When grantmakers commit to use this tool, together, there is vast potential for our positive impact – to reduce the burden on nonprofits seeking grants. 

Over the next few months, the Common Grant Working Group will:

• Conduct a landscape analysis of current grant reporting trends, common grant report questions, and subsector needs with input from both nonprofit and philanthropy stakeholders
• Define the purpose for conducting grant reporting
• Define reporting processes and related resources/templates that help to measure success (including impact and evaluation) for both grantmakers and grantee partners
• Develop common definitions for grant reporting
• Develop instructions for use
• Plan for marketing and adoption of the new reporting processes

Working Group Members:

• Kate Boyle-Steed, Women's Foundation of Minnesota

• Elyse K. Coleman, Medica Foundation

• Sharon DeMark, Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation

• Angie Eckel, Belwin Conservancy

• Amal Karim, ECMC Foundation

• Erica Kirsch, Lloyd K. Johnson Foundation

• Libby Larson, North House Folk School

• Ardie Medina, Division of Indian Work

• Kristi Nichols, Opus Foundation

• Anh Thu Pham, Theatre Mu

• Mads Phelps, OutFront Minnesota

• Angie Pilgrim, St. Croix Valley Foundation

• Hadija Steen Mills, Healthcare Reparations Cooperative

The working group is being staffed by MCF team members Audrey Tchaa, Grants and Communications Specialist, [email protected]; and Paul Masiarchin, Vice President of Member Services, [email protected].