Opus Foundation
/OVERVIEW: The Opus Group supports workforce and economic development, community development, human services, and youth development programs in the regions where Opus employees live and work, predominantly in the Midwest.
IP TAKE: This regional corporate funder is not accessible and prioritizes organizations based where it has corporate offices, largely in the Midwest. It does not accept unsolicited proposals or requests for funding. The best option for groups looking for funding is to network with Opus team members seeking to partner with local community organizations.
PROFILE: The Opus Foundation, established in 2000, is the charitable arm of commercial real estate development conglomerate Opus Group. The foundation gives away over $3 million each year to support “projects and programs that build our communities.” Its main giving areas include early childhood education, youth development, workforce development, community revitalization, and emergency needs.
Grants for Early Childhood Education
The Opus Foundation’s early childhood education broadly funds programs that “provide high-quality experiences for preschool-age children, enhancing kindergarten readiness.” It does not name specific grantmaking strategies in its ECE focus area, preferring to consider an array of projects. However, its educational efforts center more on youth development and later ages. The foundation directs about 17% of its grantmaking towards early childhood education. Past grantees include Elmhurst Children’s Assistance Foundation, Aim Higher Foundation and Progress in Education, among many others.
Grants for K-12 Education
The Opus Foundation’s largest area of giving by far is Youth Development, which receives over 40% of the foundation’s total grantmaking. These grants aim to “promote healthy social and academic development of youth,” with an emphasis on staying in school and pursuing post-secondary education. The foundation supports projects that encourage educational advancement, outdoor education, and STEM education for underserved students. Past grantees include ACE Mentor Program, Girls Inc., and Junior Achievement.
Grants for Work and Opportunity
The Opus Foundation’s workforce development grants support programs that “help position and prepare under and unemployed individuals for career advancement and greater self-sufficiency.” Community revitalization grants support “the development of small businesses” as well as “affordable housing, and/or other important community assets such as community centers.” Past grantees include the Construction Careers Foundation, United Way, and Tempe Community Action Agency.
Grants for Housing and Urban Development
Opus’s community revitalization grants work to “increase the vitality of economically disadvantaged neighborhoods.” It funds efforts related to small businesses, affordable housing, and “important community assets such as community centers.” Grantees include Beyond Housing, Habitat for Humanity, and Project for Pride in Living.
Grants for Humanitarian Relief
Opus also awards pressing/emergency needs grants to “respond to emergency needs such as food, clothing or shelter resulting from economically challenging times.”
Important Grant Details
Grants tend to range from about $10,000 to $40,000, but may exceed this. The Opus Foundation strongly prioritizes organizations that operate in regions where Opus Group has a business presence—primarily Minnesota, but also including Illinois, Indiana, Missouri, and Colorado.
The Opus Foundation does not accept unsolicited proposals.
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