Thomas Ritsche Youth Grant

The Thomas Ritsche Youth Grants, administered by the Central Minnesota Community Foundation, are designed to support youth-focused initiatives that foster positive development and reduce criminal activity involving or affecting young people. The Foundation, which operates under the broader CommunityGiving network, has a strong history of working with local organizations to build stronger communities through philanthropy, collaboration, and service. These grants are supported by the Thomas A. Ritsche for Youth Fund, with an emphasis on making tangible and lasting impacts on youth in Central Minnesota. This funding opportunity seeks to back programs and projects specifically aimed at supporting youth and reducing crimes both committed by and perpetrated against young people. Grants are open to a variety of organizations, including 501(c)(3) nonprofits, schools, and government entities. To qualify, the proposed initiatives must directly serve the residents of Stearns, Benton, and/or Sherburne Counties in Minnesota. The fund offers flexibility in terms of use, allowing for both programmatic or project-specific costs as well as operational support. Priority consideration will be given to initiatives that demonstrate a sustainable and positive impact on youth, especially those that help reduce crime. Additionally, programs that foster social connectedness across generations, cultures, and communities are strongly favored, in alignment with the Foundation’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion policy. However, there are explicit exclusions to what the grant will support, including individuals, religious activities, political efforts, fundraising events, multi-year requests, endowments, debt reduction, travel-only projects, academic scholarships, and projects that are already complete. The application process is conducted entirely online through the CommunityGiving Grant Management System. Interested applicants must submit their completed applications between April 1 and May 31, 2026, with the final deadline set at 11:59 PM. There are no pre-application steps such as a Letter of Intent or concept paper mentioned, making the process straightforward for eligible applicants. Once submitted, applications are reviewed by a Grant Advisory Committee, which then makes recommendations to the Foundation’s Board of Directors, who are responsible for final award decisions. All communications regarding application outcomes will be sent via email. Upon selection, grant recipients must electronically sign a Grant Agreement before funds are disbursed. Required documentation from grantees includes the Grant Agreement and a Final Report; a Progress Report may also be required depending on the project’s scope. These documents are to be submitted via the same Grant Management System used for the application. For inquiries or technical support, applicants are encouraged to call the CommunityGiving office at (320) 257-9715. The Foundation also recommends that applicants who are unsure about their project’s eligibility reach out prior to applying to ensure clarity and streamline the review process.

Programs that reduce youth crime and build social capital are prioritized. Applicants uncertain about eligibility should contact staff.