In the 1940s, a few far-sighted community leaders established The Saint Paul Foundation. Envisioning a robust community foundation, they created a charter to ensure that gifts would always benefit the community and meet its ever-changing needs. As assets were built over time, leaders of The Saint Paul Foundation developed innovative grantmaking approaches, convening and engaging funders, donors and civic leaders to invest the funds wisely for the benefit of Saint Paul.

The Saint Paul Foundation is an affiliate of Minnesota Philanthropy Partners, a network of foundations, funds and organizations that share knowledge and services to have the greatest possible impact through charitable giving. Minnesota Philanthropy Partners supports The Saint Paul Foundation, Minnesota Community Foundation, F. R. Bigelow Foundation, Mardag Foundation and more than 1,600 affiliates across Minnesota.