Boys and Men Grants

The Central Minnesota Community Foundation administers the Boys and Men Grants as part of its broader mission to strengthen local communities through strategic philanthropy. As a regional community foundation, it focuses on mobilizing charitable resources and directing them toward initiatives that improve quality of life across Central Minnesota. This specific competitive grant round reflects the foundation’s targeted investment in addressing systemic and social challenges affecting boys and men within its service area. The purpose of this grant program is to support initiatives that uplift and empower boys and men by addressing critical issues such as educational disparities, mental health stigma, fatherhood engagement, and workforce readiness. The funding is designed to foster environments where males can thrive personally, socially, and economically. By prioritizing these areas, the program aims to create lasting community impact and promote equitable opportunities for male populations across diverse backgrounds. Funding is available for both new and existing programs or projects, as well as other strategic investments that demonstrate potential for meaningful and sustained outcomes. The grant explicitly avoids funding certain categories, including individual applicants, political activities, religious programming, event sponsorships, debt reduction, and projects that have already been completed. Additionally, the program does not support multi-year requests or funding gaps caused by reduced government support. These restrictions ensure that funds are directed toward impactful, forward-looking initiatives aligned with the foundation’s mission. Eligible applicants include 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations, schools, and government entities that serve residents within Benton, Stearns, and Sherburne Counties in Minnesota. While not a strict requirement, preference is given to organizations with annual operating budgets of $500,000 or less, as well as those demonstrating collaborative partnerships, innovative approaches, and strong potential for transformative community impact. This emphasis encourages smaller organizations and partnerships that may bring fresh perspectives to longstanding challenges. The application process is conducted entirely online through the CommunityGiving Grant Management System. Applicants must submit their proposals through this platform, after which a Grant Advisory Committee reviews submissions and makes recommendations to the Board of Directors. Final funding decisions are made by the Board, and all applicant communications, including award notifications, are delivered via email. Selected grantees must sign a grant agreement electronically before funds are distributed. Grant awards consist of four individual grants of $2,500 each. Funds are disbursed upon execution of the grant agreement, and recipients are required to submit a final report documenting outcomes. In some cases, a progress report may also be requested. This reporting structure ensures accountability and allows the foundation to evaluate the effectiveness of funded initiatives. The application window opens on September 1, 2026, and closes on October 31, 2026 at 11:59 PM. Funding decisions are typically made within 90 days following the application deadline. Organizations uncertain about their eligibility are encouraged to contact foundation staff prior to applying, which helps streamline the review process and improve application quality. The grant appears to follow an annual cycle, although this is inferred based on the structured timeline rather than explicitly stated.

Prioritize innovative approaches, demonstrate strong community partnerships, and clearly show measurable impact especially for boys and men in target areas