Minnesota Private Grants

This program provides financial support to LGBTQ+-owned and allied restaurants, cafes, and bars to help them thrive and recover.

This grant provides funding for organizations in Minnesota and Wisconsin to implement impactful water quality improvement projects and promote environmental stewardship within their communities.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to tribal governments, nonprofits, and educational institutions for solar energy projects that enhance energy independence and benefit low-to-moderate income communities.

This funding program provides financial support to community-based organizations that empower youth aged 12 to 20 through established, youth-led urban greening initiatives focused on social and environmental justice in select states.

The Women’s Foundation of Minnesota (WFM) Fund for Safety is dedicated to innovating and resourcing initiatives that aim to end gender-based violence, encompassing sex trafficking, domestic violence, rape, sexual assault, and sexual harassment. This grant program is deeply aligned with WFM's mission to invest in women’s safety and work collaboratively with communities to eliminate gender-based violence. The foundation operates with an ethos of listening and responding to community concerns, which drives its strategic, cross-sector plans and efforts to create collective impact. The Fund for Safety prioritizes ending all forms of violence affecting women, girls, and gender-expansive individuals, including sexual violence, physical violence, state and structural violence, and the exploitation and abuse experienced by elders and people with disabilities. WFM is committed to investing in organizations that serve Black, Indigenous, Latinx, Asian and Pacific Islander communities, LGBTQ+ people, people with disabilities, Greater and rural MN communities, and immigrant and refugee populations. The definition of a woman for this program is inclusive of anyone who identifies as a woman, including transgender, gender nonconforming, gender nonbinary, and all gender-expansive people who experience gender-based structural harm. The program has three core priorities, with anticipated outcomes focused on healing from trauma and cultivating community-centered solutions for survivors. These priorities include strengthening systems and infrastructure to sustain the movement to end gender-based violence, building and sustaining movements for missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls, missing and murdered Black women and girls, and preventing violence against Latina women. Additionally, the fund aims to prevent cycles of gender-based violence among young women, men, and gender-expansive people by addressing misogyny, misogynoir, and toxic masculinity through education to promote healthy gender norms and relationships. Expected outcomes and measurable results stem from these priorities, aiming to address systemic inequities and reform policies that perpetuate gender-based and state-sanctioned violence. The grant specifically offers a one-year investment of $20,000 in general operating support. Eligibility criteria include Minnesota-based nonprofit tax-exempt organizations, schools, unincorporated organizations with a fiscal sponsor, and American Indian Nations, all operating programs within Minnesota that benefit women, girls, and gender-expansive people, or organizations serving at least 50 to 75 percent of these populations. Programs must demonstrate the ability to work in partnership with other organizations and drive innovative solutions that advance gender and racial equity and justice by increasing access to safety.

The Neighborhood Empowerment Grant, offered by Kansas City, Missouri, is a program designed to foster community engagement, enhance neighborhood identity, and improve public safety and overall quality of life. The program aims to reduce violent and other crime, spur neighborhood investment and development, and address code violations through Association and resident-led projects. While the text doesn't explicitly state a "foundation" in the traditional sense, the city's strategic priority is clearly aligned with empowering local neighborhoods to address their unique challenges and build stronger, safer communities from within. This grant serves as a direct mechanism for the city to achieve its broader goals of urban improvement and resident well-being. The primary target beneficiaries of this grant are not-for-profit Neighborhood Associations registered with the City of Kansas City and the State of Missouri, or those partnering with registered associations. The impact goals are comprehensive, aiming to improve resident health and safety, enhance dignity, support aging in place, and address other necessary quality of life repairs. By empowering these associations, the program seeks to create a ripple effect, positively impacting all residents within the participating neighborhoods. The grant prioritizes several key areas to achieve its objectives. These include promoting active participation and involvement of residents through community engagement, celebrating unique neighborhood identities, enhancing community safety through public safety strategies, facilitating necessary repairs and upgrades for quality of life enhancements, reducing violence and other crimes, encouraging internal and external neighborhood investment, and implementing measures to reduce code violations. These focus areas collectively form a strategic approach to holistic neighborhood development and improvement. Expected outcomes and measurable results include a reduction in violent and other crime, increased neighborhood investment and development, a decrease in code violations, and an overall improvement in residents' health, safety, and well-being. The program's theory of change posits that by empowering local associations and residents to lead projects focused on these priority areas, communities will experience enhanced value through stronger partnerships, leading to increased strength and stability. The grant aims to facilitate positive interactions and outcomes, fostering resident collaboration and improving messaging within the neighborhoods. The current round of funding offers $400K for local projects, with a maximum of $20K per applicant, indicating a commitment to supporting numerous community-led initiatives.

Grant Name: Community Response Grant (Minnesota) Offered by: United Way of Bemidji Area Focus Areas: 1. Education: Supporting the achievement of full potential for children, youth, and adults. 2. Basic Needs/Income: Promoting financial stability, increasing self-sufficiency, and providing basic needs/crisis emergency services. 3. Health: Improving people's health and social well-being. Requirements: - Services supported by United Way funds must be clearly defined. - Impact of the services must be documented by the receiving organization.

The 2024 Good Relatives Collaborative Grant Program is designed to support Native-led and Native-serving groups, collaboratives, and organizations. The program aims to foster the growth and development of these entities across various stages, from those exploring non-profit status to established 501(c)(3) organizations. This initiative aligns with the Good Relatives Collaborative's mission to empower Native communities by providing essential funding and guidance, strengthening their capacity to address community needs and achieve their goals. The grant amounts are tiered to reflect the different stages of organizational development, ranging from up to $20,000 for "Exploring" groups to up to $60,000 for "Maturing" organizations, with a total grant size between $10,000 and $100,000. The primary beneficiaries of this grant program are Native-led, Native-serving organizations with operating budgets under $500,000, and community collaborators or nonprofits with a 501(c)(3) public charity status or fiscal sponsor. These organizations must be serving Native communities in South Dakota, North Dakota, Minnesota, or one of the 23 Native nations that share the same geography. The program specifically targets groups that are 60% Native-led at the board level and have Native senior leadership/ED, ensuring that the initiatives are driven by and truly reflective of the communities they serve. The impact goals are to strengthen new and emerging organizations, help growing organizations manage larger grants, and support mature organizations in providing guidance to younger groups, thereby creating a robust and self-sustaining ecosystem within Native communities. The program prioritizes organizations at different stages of development through its "Exploring," "Emerging," "Growing," and "Maturing" grant stages. "Exploring" grants focus on new organizations considering non-profit status or those with limited grant experience and annual budgets from $0-$25,000. "Emerging" grants support new or currently-applying 501(c)(3) organizations with budgets between $25,000-$75,000, helping them gain more grant management experience. "Growing" grants are for established 501(c)(3) organizations with budgets from $75,000-$200,000, aiming to enhance their capacity to manage larger grants. Finally, "Maturing" grants are for experienced 501(c)(3) organizations with budgets from $200,000-$500,000, encouraging them to provide mentorship to younger organizations. These focused priorities ensure tailored support that meets organizations where they are in their development journey. Expected outcomes include an increase in the number of formally established Native-led non-profits, enhanced grant writing and management capabilities across all stages of organizations, and the development of a supportive network where experienced organizations can mentor newer ones. Measurable results will include the number of organizations transitioning to 501(c)(3) status, the successful management of grants, and the growth in operating budgets for participating organizations. The Good Relatives Collaborative’s strategic priorities are deeply rooted in a theory of change that posits that by investing in and strengthening Native-led and Native-serving organizations, there will be a direct and positive impact on the well-being and self-determination of Native communities in the designated three-state region and within the 23 Native nations. This comprehensive approach aims to build lasting capacity and foster community-driven solutions.

This funding opportunity supports nonprofit organizations in Minnesota that are dedicated to improving services and resources for individuals and families facing homelessness and food insecurity.

Arts Midwest is offering Cultural Sustainability: Equity-Based Operating Grants of up to $67,000 to small arts and culture organizations rooted in communities of color, providing general operating support for those with annual expenses up to $500,000 in selected states.

The Patricia Ann Emberg Charitable Trust offers grants to tax-exempt, nonprofit, and governmental vocational, technical, and trade school programs situated in northeastern Minnesota and northwestern Wisconsin. The foundation's mission is aligned with workforce development, specifically targeting the enhancement of skills and opportunities in prominent regional industries. Through these grants, the Trust aims to strengthen educational infrastructures that prepare individuals for successful careers in critical sectors, thereby contributing to the economic vitality of the specified regions. The primary beneficiaries of this grant program are vocational, technical, and trade schools in northeastern Minnesota and northwestern Wisconsin, along with the students who enroll in their programs. The impact goal is to create a skilled workforce that meets the demands of regional industries. By supporting these educational institutions, the Trust seeks to foster a pipeline of qualified candidates, addressing labor shortages and promoting economic stability within the community. The grants are designed to support programs that directly contribute to the employability of graduates in high-demand fields. A key priority for the Patricia Ann Emberg Charitable Trust is to give preference to programs of study that have the potential to provide qualified candidates for the workforce in prominent regional industries. Specifically, the Trust highlights areas such as forestry and aircraft maintenance, indicating a strategic focus on sectors vital to the local economy. This targeted approach ensures that the grant funding directly addresses specific industry needs and contributes to the growth and sustainability of these critical sectors. The expected outcomes of the grant program include an increased number of graduates equipped with the necessary skills for prominent regional industries, a more robust local workforce, and ultimately, enhanced economic development in northeastern Minnesota and northwestern Wisconsin. While specific measurable results are not detailed in the provided information, the focus on workforce readiness in key industries suggests that success would be measured by job placement rates in these fields and the overall positive impact on regional employment statistics. The Trust's strategic priority is to invest in education that directly translates into employment opportunities, reflecting a theory of change where targeted vocational training leads to improved economic well-being for individuals and communities.

The Donaldson Foundation dedicates its efforts to making a positive impact in communities where Donaldson Company employees reside, focusing on supporting educational initiatives. It extends grant invitations exclusively to applications with an educational aim, scrutinizing each based on criteria such as educational focus, the need of beneficiaries, impact, sustainability, and connection to communities near company locations. Eligible recipients are required to be IRS-recognized tax-exempt entities. Funding is available in the Twin Cities and several U.S. locations where Donaldson has significant operations, with grants reaching up to $20,000. Grant renewed every year. Grant Annual Cycle 2 deadline: January 15th

Our grantees work to build on the entrepreneurial spirit, strong community ties, and untapped potential within Native nations, communities of color, rural communities, and other resilient communities who have fewer opportunities to thrive on their own terms. We envision strong, vibrant communities where people are connected to good jobs and have the financial capability to build their assets and provide a secure future for their families and communities. A Need to Close the Opportunity Gaps Our economic system doesn’t work for everyone. It widens income and opportunity gaps, restrains economic mobility, and traps people and communities in a cycle of poverty and injustice. A disproportionate number of Native Americans, people of color, refugees, immigrants, and rural Americans are living in crisis—or just a paycheck away from it. Nationally, six in 10 families of color don’t have the cash on hand to cover basic expenses—like rent, medical emergencies, or the need to fix a car—for three months.

The Medica Foundation's Rural Health Grants program aims to fund nonprofit, community-led solutions addressing health needs and social determinants of health in rural Minnesota. This aligns with the Foundation's mission to support the well-being of communities, particularly by focusing on localized efforts in areas outside the seven-county Twin Cities metropolitan area. The strategic priority here is to empower grassroots initiatives where fundraising is conducted solely at the local level, fostering self-sufficiency and direct community impact. The program targets a broad range of beneficiaries within rural communities, including Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) communities, children and youth, families, immigrants and refugees, LGBTQ+ communities, seniors, survivors of domestic and/or sexual violence, and veterans. The impact goals are to improve health outcomes and address social determinants of health for these specific vulnerable populations. By focusing on these groups, the Foundation seeks to create a more equitable and healthier environment for those who often face greater challenges in accessing healthcare and support services in rural settings. The grant program prioritizes funding across several critical areas: behavioral health, culturally-focused care, domestic violence and sexual assault services and prevention, early childhood health, oral health, primary care for underserved communities, senior care, sexual health, and transportation. These focus areas reflect a comprehensive approach to health and well-being, acknowledging the interconnectedness of various factors that contribute to a healthy life. The Foundation's theory of change appears to be that by supporting these specific interventions, it can create a ripple effect of positive change within rural communities, improving overall public health. While specific measurable results are not detailed in the provided information, the expected outcomes are a reduction in health disparities and an increase in access to essential services for rural populations. The individual grants, awarded up to $10,000, are intended to provide vital support for organizations working towards these goals. The eligibility criteria emphasize local presence and local fundraising, reinforcing the Foundation's strategic priority of empowering genuine community-led solutions and ensuring that the funding directly benefits the regions it intends to serve.

This funding opportunity supports small, local news organizations in Minnesota that focus on original reporting for underserved communities, aiming to improve media representation and civic engagement.

The Forecast Public Art’s Midwest Memory Grant, ranging from $10,000 to $100,000, is open to non-profit organizations in rural Midwest communities, aiming to elevate and preserve the stories of BIPOC communities through monuments, with a focus on addressing systemic inequities and advancing racial justice.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to nonprofit organizations in the Twin Cities metro area that focus on improving health, economic stability, shelter, safety, and education for adult women.

This grant provides financial support to nonprofit organizations in Iowa, Minnesota, and Nebraska that focus on improving financial literacy and employment readiness to help individuals achieve financial stability.

The Central Minnesota Community Foundation, in partnership with the Initiative Foundation, offers the Rural Poverty Fund grants during even years (2020, 2022, 2024, etc.) for planning and implementation of projects or programs aimed at addressing rural poverty in central Minnesota. Eligible projects may include establishing or supplementing emergency and transitional activities, assessing community needs and assets, developing action plans, or providing for project implementation in rural areas. The grant aims to address the specific and immediate needs of rural people in poverty through a variety of identified programs or agency needs. The application period for the next round of funding opens on April 1, 2024, with a deadline of June 30, 2024. Grant decisions are made within 90 days of the application deadline. Decisions on grant applications are made within 90 days of the application deadline.

This funding opportunity supports local governments, Tribal governments, and nonprofit organizations in Central Minnesota to develop innovative projects that enhance workforce housing and attract and retain workers.