The Graves Foundation aims to create systemic change by partnering with natural leaders, organizers, researchers, policy makers, and both institutional and grassroots community leaders. It focuses on long-term, trusting relationships to support priority areas like education, community-building, housing, and youth development, primarily around Minneapolis. They emphasize being present and engaged with their partners and grantees, choosing direct interaction over traditional reporting to better understand alignment with missions, values, and goals.
The Graves Foundation grant program is dedicated to closing equity gaps and enhancing the lives of youth by focusing on education, community-building, housing, and youth development. Specifically, in education, they aim to support stable, rigorous, and welcoming school communities, empower families, and promote diversity among educators. For youth development, their goal is creating an environment where all youth, especially those impacted by foster care, can thrive into adulthood. They are committed to listening to the needs of the youth and pursuing institutional reform to realize these objectives.