Fluff Free Fundraising from Access Philanthropy

____________________

February 2026: People, Grants & Announcements

UPCOMING FUNDRAISING WORKSHOP

Hi there,

From Local to National: Building a Competitive Grant Strategy takes place tomorrow, and we wanted to share a final reminder in case you’re still considering joining us.

This live virtual workshop is designed for nonprofits that want to approach national funding with clarity, preparation, and a stronger sense of fit. We’ll spend time on how national grantmaking differs from local funding, what organizations need in place before pursuing national opportunities, and how to think through readiness and next steps with confidence.

We’re also pleased to welcome Charlene Bradley of the Knight Foundation as a featured speaker. Charlene will bring a national funder perspective to the conversation, sharing insight on what funders look for and how organizations can position themselves thoughtfully for national opportunities.

Participants will also receive practical resources to use after the session, including curated funder profiles, follow-up Q&A responses, and access to additional tools to support ongoing strategy.

Thursday, February 19, 2026 | 9:00am–12:00pm CT | Live virtual

If this feels like the right next step for your organization, we’d be glad to have you join us. Save your spot below.

We can't wait to see you there.



Warmly,

The Access Philanthropy Team

P.S. Already registered? Forward this invitation to a friend or colleague.

GRANT OPPORTUNITIES

The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation’s Local Data for Equitable Communities program is inviting U.S.-based nonprofit organizations to apply for grants to collect, analyze, and use local data to address inequities in the physical, economic, and social conditions of communities. Up to 30 grants of $50,000 will be awarded for nine-month projects that build on existing community knowledge and momentum to support local action and advance health equity.

The Minneapolis Foundation will distribute $2 million in OneMPLS grants to help meet urgent community needs amid the recent ICE surge. The funding, to be awarded to local organizations in the coming weeks, marks the Foundation’s latest response to the escalating impacts of federal enforcement activity in Minnesota.

The Immigrant Rapid Response Fund (IRRF) is a coalition of 32 philanthropic leaders providing rapid, community-guided funding to trusted organizations responding to immigration-related emergencies across Minnesota. Grants support urgent basic needs, legal services, and community organizing, with funds distributed weekly and prioritized for culturally responsive organizations rooted in the communities most impacted.

Public Welfare Foundation is inviting its active grantees and their coalition partners to apply for IGNITING FUTURES: A Youth Justice Grant, which will provide funding to strengthen local youth justice coalition-building efforts.

Following the announcement of a new $100+ million gift to strengthen rural communities, the Taylor Family Farms Foundation is now accepting grant applications from food shelves seeking support to better serve their communities. This current granting period runs from February 1–28, 2026, offering food shelves an opportunity to access funding generated through the foundation’s expanded long-term philanthropic investment in southern Minnesota and northwestern Iowa.

JOBS IN PHILANTHROPY

Several organizations across Minnesota are currently hiring for leadership and program roles:

• Ford Foundation is hiring a Director of Board and Legal Operations
• Proteus Fund is hiring a new President & CEO (Hybrid/New York)
• MN’s Better Way Foundation is seeking an Organizational Assistant 
• Funder’s Collaborative on Youth Organizing is seeking a Remote Senior Development Manager
• Progressive Stranahan Foundation needs a Senior Program Officer
• The Bezos Family Foundation needs a President

PEOPLE IN PHILANTHROPY

This month’s People in Philanthropy highlights recent promotions, appointments, and leadership transitions across foundations and funding organizations.

The Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation recently announced the appointment of Aileen S. Lee as its next president, effective January 1, 2026, succeeding Harvey V. Fineberg. Lee, previously served as the foundation’s chief of programs bringing more than two decades of leadership experience.

The St. Croix Valley Foundation has welcomed Mala Thao as its new Vice President of Philanthropy. Thao brings 25 years of experience in community-based philanthropy and will lead the Foundation’s philanthropic services, working with donors, advisors, and nonprofit partners.

GRANT ANNOUNCEMENTS & REPORTS

CenterPoint Energy Foundation awards 35 grants, providing more than $825,000 to Minnesota nonprofit organizations

ICE out of MN: $120,000 in emergency funding | Headwaters Foundation for Justice

Initiative Foundation awards $30,000 to help St. Cloud Somali community address harassment, threats

Borealis Foundation New Year's Greetings from CHANGE Philanthropy

Blandin Foundation Invests in Community Wealth and Local Journalism to Strengthen Itasca Area and Rural MN

Otto Brener Trust awards $17.4 million in grants

The relatively conservative Cato Institute released a White Paper on immigrants' contributions to government budgets. Good grant language.

UBS Wealth Management just released its report on 2026 family philanthropy trends and family wealth offices, the groups that manage the wealth and philanthropy of wealthy people (like the Daytons, Mortensons, and Rauenhorsts). If you work with really wealthy people, you’ve probably run across them.

NONPROFIT TOOLBOX - RESOURCES YOU CAN USE

You’re exhausted from grant applications, and your revenue is flat. Meanwhile, your neighbors need your organization’s work more every day. Two things are holding you back. The first is a narrow…| Susan Schaefer Continue Reading…

30 Fundraising Conferences for Your 2026 Fundraising Continue Reading…

Check out the Propel Nonprofits resource library for tools on board governance, finance operations and more.

WORKING WITH ACCESS PHILANTHROPY

Access Philanthropy consultants bring deep experience in grantmaking, fundraising strategy, and organizational leadership. If you’re looking for a sounding board, exploring new ideas, or seeking a strategic partner to think through both the big picture and day-to-day fundraising decisions, we offer complimentary 30-minute conversations with members of our team.

Learn more about our services.

Thanks for spending time with us. Received this email as a forward? Subscribe to receive future updates directly in your inbox.