Mission: The First Universalist Foundation acts as a catalyst for social change by promoting and supporting the development of emerging leaders, youth, young adults, and marginalized communities through monetary grants to nonprofits working in those communities.
History: The First U Foundation was created in 1984 from an endowment fund resulting from the sale of Unity Settlement House. Historically, the First U Foundation has given out grants ranging from $1,000 to $15,000.
The First Universalist Foundation welcomes nominations of organizations that address racial justice, climate justice, and human rights. The Foundation Board is accepting nominations through
Saturday, January 31, 2026 from First Universalist congregants (regardless of membership status) and senior high youth in the church. One (1) person must submit a nomination backed by one (1) co-signer.
Nominee organizations that are selected by the Foundation Board will be invited to submit a grant application for consideration. Please note our giving priorities and criteria which will heavily inform our decisions.
Giving Priorities and Criteria:1. Demonstrate the potential to address one or more causes or forms of injustice.
2. Work to engage youth, young adults, and/or disenfranchised communities in the work of social change.
3. Have a commitment to measuring the impact or success of the funded program.
4. Focus on the Twin Cities metropolitan area.
5. Organizations with annual budgets of less than $1,000,000 will be given greater priority.
6. Organization leadership and/or board members reflect the community that the organization wishes to serve (BIPOC, women, individuals from disenfranchised communities).
7. Organizations that have been funded 3 times in the last 5 years may be considered lower priority.
