Ameriprise Financial Grant Program

Ameriprise Financial, a firm with over 125 years of history, emphasizes a deep-rooted culture of community involvement. Through strategic philanthropic efforts, including grant making, employee volunteerism, and matching gift programs, the company supports over 8,000 nonprofit organizations. Their approach is designed to maximize community impact by aligning giving with core values and engaging Ameriprise personnel in meaningful volunteer roles. The organization places a special emphasis on diversity, equity, and inclusion by supporting nonprofits that align with these values and comply with Ameriprise’s non-discrimination policy. Ameriprise Financial’s grant making is organized into three primary focus areas: Meeting Basic Needs, Supporting Community Vitality, and Volunteer-Driven Causes. The Meeting Basic Needs category includes hunger, shelter, and adult self-sufficiency. Hunger grants focus on food distribution programs, particularly those reaching seniors, children, and ethnic populations. Shelter grants support emergency, transitional, and permanent housing efforts, with emphasis on home retention for vulnerable groups. Adult self-sufficiency initiatives serve individuals aged 21 and older through job readiness, financial literacy, and employment support, particularly for disabled adults. The Supporting Community Vitality area includes community development, cultural enrichment, and disaster relief and recovery. Community development efforts may involve economic revitalization, support for small businesses and nonprofits, and neighborhood improvements. Cultural enrichment grants back initiatives involving diverse artistic expression, arts education, and improved access for underserved communities. Disaster relief and recovery funding is not open to application and is by invitation only, with Ameriprise annually supporting the American Red Cross and SBP. The third focus area, Volunteer-Driven Causes, supports initiatives in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area where there is active Ameriprise volunteer involvement. Applications under this category are for organizations that do not fit into the first two focus areas but have substantial volunteer engagement. A minimum of 25 volunteers from Ameriprise in the Twin Cities area is expected, and the average grant award under this category is $5,000. To be eligible, applicants must be 501(c)(3) organizations that align with the defined focus areas, demonstrate measurable outcomes, provide a financial audit or review from the last two years, and submit a complete application including all documentation. Certain types of programs and organizations are not eligible, such as international entities, political or religious groups, private foundations, and those lacking adherence to the non-discrimination policy. Applications are due twice a year, by January 15 and May 15, with decisions communicated approximately four months after each deadline. All documents must be submitted by the deadline, and incomplete applications will be declined. Letters of endorsement are optional and only recommended when there is an existing relationship with an Ameriprise representative. Questions may be directed to Community.relations@ampf.com, or Jennifer.r.jones@ampf.com for inquiries specific to community development support.