The Dorsey & Whitney Foundation

Open & Accessible
Public Charity
MINNEAPOLIS, MinnesotaMediumEIN: 411424522
Civil Rights OrganizationsLegal Aid SocietiesEducation NonprofitsHuman ServicesFood Banks

The Dorsey & Whitney Foundation (affiliated with Dorsey & Whitney LLP) provides grants and scholarships to tax‑exempt charitable and educational organizations in communities where the firm’s attorneys practice. Funding guidelines and an external application form are published on the firm’s website.

Source: Website · Mar 2026

Ideal Applicant

Established charitable or educational nonprofits operating in communities where the firm's attorneys practice, especially organizations focused on legal aid/civil rights, education or community services that need general operating support.

Good Fit

  • Programs providing general support or legal aid in the foundation's home state (large share of past dollars).
  • Established track record and capacity to manage multi-year or sizable grants.
  • Clear community connection to locations where the firm's attorneys practice.
  • Alignment with education, scholarships, human services, arts, or civil-rights/legal-aid work.

Geography

Broad

Latest observed year shows grants to recipients in 14 states, indicating a multi-state footprint, although roughly half of funding flowed to the foundation's home state.

Recipient Variety

Broad

The funder supported many distinct independent recipients in the latest year (48) and shows substantial repeat funding across years (35 recurring recipients), so the recipient set is broad rather than narrowly captive.

New Applicants

Broad

Direct evidence of a formal application process was not flagged in the parsed signals, but 13 new grantees were added in the latest year and the foundation maintains a public website and named contact, so unfamiliar applicants appear to have a plausible path into the portfolio.

Source: Zeffy Agent · Mar 2026