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The Sheltering Arms Foundation
The Sheltering Arms Foundation was established in 1983, evolving from an Episcopal woman-led organization that opened its first orphanage in Minneapolis a...
The Sheltering Arms Foundation
The Sheltering Arms Foundation was established in 1983, evolving from an Episcopal woman-led organization that opened its first orphanage in Minneapolis a century earlier. The foundation operates as a supporting organization of the Episcopal Church in Minnesota, with a board composed entirely of women members of the church. Its grantmaking targets non-profit organizations serving children and families with the least access to resources across the state. The foundation deploys capital through two primary channels: direct-service grants for children aged 0–12 and policy advocacy to raise public awareness and shift systems. Its program areas cover early childhood education and youth development, with a geographic focus confined to Minnesota. The foundation participates in collaborative advocacy through the Start Early Funders Coalition, which works on early childhood policy in the state. Grantmaking is structured as a traditional endowed foundation, drawing from its own investment portfolio rather than raising outside funds. The foundation maintains a lean operating structure. Diane Grossman serves as Executive Director, having succeeded long-time leader Denise Mayotte in 2023. Grossman also co-chairs the Small Foundation Affinity Group at PEAK Grantmaking, reflecting the foundation's engagement with peer networks for leanly staffed philanthropies. The foundation holds memberships in the Minnesota Council on Foundations, Exponent Philanthropy, and the Council on Foundations. It operates from an office at 122 W. Franklin Avenue in Minneapolis, while also maintaining the historic Sheltering Arms House on Emerson Avenue North. Structurally, The Sheltering Arms Foundation differs from most endowments in its governance model — board membership is restricted to women who are members of the Episcopal Church in Minnesota, a constraint that shapes both its grantmaking priorities and its leadership pipeline. This ecclesiastical tie, combined with its 142-year institutional lineage, creates a governance architecture that prioritizes continuity and community embeddedness over professionalized asset-management scale.
General information
Firm type
Endowment / Foundation
Year founded
1983
Location
Region
North America
Country
United States
City
Minneapolis
Corporate office
Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States
Additional offices
Mechanicsville, Minnesota, United States
Principals
Diane Grossman
Executive Director
Sector focus
Frequently asked questions
How is The Sheltering Arms Foundation governed?
The foundation is a supporting organization of the Episcopal Church in Minnesota. Its board of directors is composed entirely of women who are members of the church. This governance structure traces back to the foundation's origins as an Episcopal women-led orphanage established in 1883. The executive director, currently Diane Grossman, manages day-to-day operations and grantmaking.
What does The Sheltering Arms Foundation fund?
The foundation makes grants to non-profit organizations in Minnesota that deliver direct services to children aged 0–12, with a focus on early childhood and youth development. It also funds policy advocacy efforts aimed at raising public awareness and advancing equitable solutions for children and families with the least access to resources. Its geographic scope is limited to Minnesota.
Who runs investment decisions at The Sheltering Arms Foundation?
The foundation operates as a traditional endowed grantmaker, drawing on its investment portfolio to fund grants, but it does not publicly disclose its investment committee structure or asset managers. As a leanly staffed foundation — noted by its membership in Exponent Philanthropy — investment management is likely outsourced or overseen by the board and executive director. No CIO or dedicated investment staff is publicly identified.
Does The Sheltering Arms Foundation accept outside capital or fund commitments?
No. The foundation is a private grantmaking entity that deploys capital solely from its own endowment. It does not raise funds from external limited partners or make commitments to private funds. Its only capital deployment is through direct grants to non-profit organizations.
How is The Sheltering Arms Foundation related to the Episcopal Church?
It is a legally structured supporting organization of the Episcopal Church in Minnesota. This means it operates with a distinct board and endowment but exists to advance the mission of the church. All board members must be women who are members of the Episcopal Church in Minnesota, a requirement that directly links governance to the denomination.
What is the foundation's known posture on advocacy?
Advocacy is a formal pillar of the foundation's strategy. It participates in the Start Early Funders Coalition, a collaborative that advances early childhood policy in Minnesota. The foundation explicitly states it supports policies benefiting children and families with the least access to resources, combining its grantmaking with efforts to shift public systems.
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