Good Neighbor Grants

The McKnight Good Neighbor Grants, offered through the Northwest Minnesota Foundation (NMF) in partnership with the McKnight Foundation, are designed to provide rapid response funding that supports direct and immediate needs in communities across Northwest Minnesota. This funding initiative reflects a shared commitment to strengthening community well-being through practical support to individuals and families facing urgent challenges. NMF serves as a regional anchor institution focused on stabilizing and enhancing the quality of life across its service area, and this program exemplifies its mission. The Good Neighbor Grants are one-time awards of $5,000, and each eligible organization may apply only once. The funds are intended to support organizations in delivering tangible aid to individuals, with allowable uses including gas and grocery gift cards, programs to combat food insecurity, the provision of diapers and formula, and assistance with heating costs. The funding is specifically directed toward meeting the immediate, material needs of residents within the foundation’s geographic focus area. Applications for this opportunity are accepted on a rolling basis, and funding will remain available until resources are exhausted. This approach ensures a responsive and flexible grantmaking process that aligns with the urgent nature of the targeted needs. While the program does not require a pre-application process or formal deadline, applicants are encouraged to apply as soon as possible due to limited funds. The application must be submitted online through the NMF Web Portal. A template is available to help organizations plan their responses, but it is not a substitute for the actual submission platform. Required documentation includes confirmation of tax-exempt status, a signed W9, and a detailed budget. Public entities and Tribal Nations must provide equivalent official documentation to verify eligibility. Fiscal sponsorship is allowed with the proper agreement included. Contact support is available through the foundation’s listed phone number, 218-759-2057, and applicants experiencing technical issues are directed to reach out for assistance. Given the rolling and finite nature of the funding, the program will close once all funds have been awarded.

Strong alignment with immediate need categories (food, heating, childcare) may improve competitiveness. Applicants should ensure geographic eligibility and provide complete documentation.