Minnesota Education Grants

This grant provides funding to nonprofit organizations and community groups in Lyon County, Iowa, to support projects that enhance community development, education, the arts, economic growth, and social services.

This grant provides financial support to local organizations and initiatives that enhance community resources and improve the quality of life for residents in the Staples and Motley areas, including schools, cultural groups, and civic organizations.

This grant provides funding to nonprofit organizations, schools, and local governments in Central Minnesota to support artist residencies that engage students in creative learning experiences.

This program provides financial assistance to student parents in Minnesota to help cover out-of-pocket child care costs while they pursue their education.

This program provides funding for feasibility studies that promote economic development and improve community resources in rural areas of Illinois, Minnesota, and Wisconsin.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to individual artists, culture bearers, and small arts organizations in Minnesota for urgent artistic needs, such as travel, training, and project supplies.

This grant provides funding to nonprofit organizations in North Dakota, Minnesota, and Wisconsin to support initiatives that enhance agriculture education, hunger relief, rural disaster relief, and rural health services in their communities.

This fellowship provides financial support to women pursuing their first doctoral degree in various fields, with a focus on promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion in academia.

This funding opportunity provides up to $10,000 to schools, businesses, and nonprofits in Ramsey and Washington counties, Minnesota, to enhance recycling and organic waste collection efforts over an 18-month period.

This grant provides funding to nonprofit organizations in specific communities to support initiatives that enhance social and financial empowerment, improving the well-being of residents through access to resources and capacity building.

This grant provides funding to organizations in Minnesota to support adult residents facing employment barriers by offering training and resources for high-demand jobs, with a focus on promoting racial and economic equity.

This funding opportunity supports nonprofit organizations, schools, and government entities in specific Minnesota and Wisconsin communities to enhance youth education and promote health and fitness initiatives.

This grant provides financial support to nonprofit organizations in Central and Eastern Iowa and parts of Minnesota that serve low- and moderate-income individuals in the areas of human services, education, and arts and culture.

This grant provides funding to organizations in Minnesota that support children facing adversity by promoting strong family relationships and emotional well-being through community initiatives and school programs.

The Tier 3 Clinical/Translational Research Grant is designed for advanced research projects that are concurrently applying for or have funding from federal or industry sources. This grant requires published preliminary data and offers up to $500,000 over three years with an additional two-year no-cost extension.

The Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation (SMIF) is inviting applications from organizations committed to building inclusive and welcoming entrepreneurial environments that expand equitable opportunities for all. This grant aims to empower communities in southern Minnesota to support diverse and traditionally underserved populations in pursuing entrepreneurship. By strengthening local ecosystems that remove barriers to participation, SMIF seeks to drive lasting economic vitality and ensure that prosperity is shared across racial and cultural lines. The foundation is particularly focused on initiatives that cultivate equitable access to entrepreneurial resources and that foster collaboration among community members to create long-term change. Eligible applicants include IRS-designated 501(c)(3) organizations, government entities, and public institutions that provide direct services or resources to help entrepreneurs start and grow businesses. Grassroots and informal organizations may also apply, provided they have an eligible fiscal sponsor. Proposed initiatives might include entrepreneurial education programs designed for BIPOC or underserved populations, community dialogues promoting inclusivity in business, or systems that expand access to funding, mentorship, and professional development. Successful proposals will articulate how their projects create tangible economic opportunities and address the systemic inequities faced by entrepreneurs of color in the region. The foundation will award grants of up to $10,000 per project, with a grant duration of up to 18 months for implementation. Each recipient is required to provide a 10% cash match and to submit both interim and final reports detailing progress and outcomes. Projects must demonstrate clear alignment with SMIF’s mission, show measurable community impact within its 20-county region, and present a plan for sustaining efforts beyond the grant period. Proposals that show strong collaboration and innovation in addressing racial and economic disparities will be viewed favorably. Certain activities and applicants are not eligible for funding. Exclusions include individuals, for-profit businesses, and general operating expenses unrelated to the project. The grant will not support capital purchases, real estate investments, feasibility studies without implementation, or re-granting activities. Likewise, projects already underway or completed before application are not eligible, nor are those focused on research or school-based internships. Organizations with an open Inclusive & Equitable Communities Grant from SMIF are also ineligible until the previous project concludes. Through this program, SMIF continues its mission to advance equitable economic growth across southern Minnesota. By investing in community-led efforts to uplift diverse entrepreneurs and dismantle barriers to opportunity, the foundation is helping to create a more inclusive, sustainable, and prosperous regional economy.

This grant provides funding to nonprofit organizations that create hands-on STEAM workshops for underserved youth, enhancing technical skills and career exploration opportunities within the Best Buy Teen Tech Centers network.

This funding opportunity supports small, rural nonprofit hospitals in Minnesota to develop strategic plans or implement projects that improve access to essential health services in their communities.

This grant provides funding to nonprofit organizations for projects that improve community development, education, basic needs, and environmental conservation in areas near the Black Oak Getty Wind Farm.

This grant provides funding to nonprofit organizations and public agencies for innovative projects that improve the quality of life in the St. Charles, Minnesota area, with a focus on economic development and early childhood support.