Minnesota Private Grants

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 financial support to Black, Indigenous, and other artists of color in Southwest Minnesota to help them develop their artistic skills and sustain their creative practices.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to small and midsize nonprofit organizations in Minnesota to improve their management and operational capacity, with a focus on enhancing effectiveness and leadership among BIPOC communities.

This grant provides financial support to nonprofit arts and cultural organizations in the Twin Cities area that serve disinvested communities and demonstrate a commitment to community engagement and sustainable operations.

This grant provides funding to support programs that benefit low- and moderate-income individuals in the greater Des Moines, Iowa City/Coralville, and Minnesota areas, focusing on human services, education, and arts and culture.

This grant provides funding to nonprofit organizations, government units, and public schools in southwestern Minnesota for large-scale public art projects that foster community engagement and sustainable arts access.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to nonprofit organizations, tribal nations, and local government entities in northeastern Minnesota to address critical community needs such as food security, housing, and education.

This grant provides expedited funding for small arts-related projects and planning initiatives to nonprofit organizations and local government units in southwestern Minnesota, aiming to enhance community arts engagement.

This grant provides funding to U.S.-based non-profit organizations to support projects that promote Japanese arts and culture, particularly in areas with limited access to such events.

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.

The Jay and Rose Phillips Family Foundation is offering a grant of up to $15,000 to support Black real estate developers in North Minneapolis, covering pre-development costs for commercial and "missing middle" residential projects, with priority given to first-time applicants, North Minneapolis residents, and projects incorporating universal design or sustainability attributes.

This program provides financial assistance to businesses in Wabasha for improving the exterior of their commercial or industrial buildings, promoting revitalization and private investment in the community.

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.

The Impact 100 Ozark grant program seeks to provide transformational grants to organizations serving eastern Christian County, Missouri. The foundation's mission is deeply aligned with this program, aiming to empower women to significantly improve community lives through generosity and by funding impactful grants. This strategic approach ensures that the grants have a lasting positive effect within the specified geographic area, reflecting Impact 100 Ozark's commitment to community betterment through focused financial support. The target beneficiaries for these grants are 501(c)3 organizations or other IRS-approved entities, including government entities, school districts, and churches, that specifically serve the eastern Christian County area. The primary impact goal is to fund significant initiatives that dramatically improve lives. While not explicitly stated as a "theory of change," the foundation's approach suggests that by empowering local organizations with substantial funding, they can address critical community needs and foster sustainable improvements. The program prioritizes proposals that avoid funding day-to-day operations, scholarships, or the start-up of new nonprofit agencies, indicating a focus on established organizations and projects with a clear, transformative scope. This ensures that the grants are directed towards initiatives that can create a significant, rather than incremental, impact. The available funding includes two grants totaling $49,000, with one grant of $35,000 and another of $14,000, underscoring the "significant grants" aspect of their mission. Expected outcomes and measurable results are inherent in the program's design, aiming for "lasting impact." While specific metrics are not detailed in the provided information, the emphasis on "transformational grants" implies a desire for substantial and demonstrable change within the community. The foundation's strategic priority is clearly to harness generosity to fund these impactful projects, thereby improving the lives of individuals and families in eastern Christian County.

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.

The Laura Jane Musser Fund offers grants up to $25,000 for collaborative rural community projects in selected states and counties, prioritizing initiatives that involve diverse community participation, demonstrate local support, and aim for positive change within 18 months.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to local governments, Tribal nations, school districts, and nonprofit organizations in Central Minnesota for projects that promote clean energy adoption and enhance community resilience against energy-related challenges.

The Backyard Giving Grants initiative is designed to support organizations in the vicinity of CHS headquarters, which is located in the Twin Cities. This program aims to foster community unity, enhance agricultural education for the younger generation, and facilitate access to healthy food and stable housing for residents of the Twin Cities. Eligible organizations may receive up to $5,000 for hosting events that align with these objectives. The focus is on projects that offer basic needs services, promote agricultural education, and encourage community engagement. Grant renewed every year. Annual Fall opening/ closing deadline: October 1st to November 30th.

This funding opportunity supports community-driven projects that improve water quality and promote environmental stewardship in the Twin Cities area, targeting eligible non-profits, schools, and local organizations.

The Blush Foundation's Giving Days program is designed to raise awareness and funds for nonprofit organizations working to improve communities in Minnesota, North Dakota, and South Dakota. This initiative aligns with the foundation's broader mission to strengthen the nonprofit sector by leveraging online fundraising to create engaging, accessible giving opportunities. The program's expansion in 2024 to include organizations benefiting Native communities further emphasizes a commitment to equitable support across the region, reflecting a strategic priority to reach diverse populations. The primary beneficiaries of this grant program are 501(c)(3) public charities and government entities located within Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, or the 23 Native nations sharing this geography. The program targets organizations that are currently hosting or intend to host a Giving Day, with an impact goal of enhancing their fundraising capabilities and overall community engagement. By supporting these events, the Blush Foundation aims to empower local nonprofits to generate significant financial resources and build stronger connections with their donor bases. The program prioritizes organizations that demonstrate a strong ability to organize, host, and promote a Giving Days program within their region. A key focus is on building nonprofit fundraising skills, with selected organizations expected to commit to this development through provided tools and/or support. Furthermore, the foundation seeks organizations with the skills, staffing, and community networks necessary to reach and equitably serve a broad range of communities, underscoring a commitment to inclusive and far-reaching impact. Expected outcomes include an increase in funds raised by participating nonprofits, a strengthened capacity for online fundraising, and a broader reach within communities, particularly Native communities. While specific measurable results are not detailed beyond the annual funding amounts ($200,000 annually to selected organizations, plus an additional $10,000 this year), the emphasis on fundraising skill-building suggests a theory of change that by investing in the operational and promotional abilities of nonprofits, the foundation can catalyze sustainable growth and greater community benefit.