SACF Great Idea Grant 2026

The Stillwater Area Community Foundation, an affiliate of the Saint Croix Valley Foundation, is currently accepting applications for its 2025 Great Idea Competition. This annual funding opportunity is designed to empower citizens and organizations within the Stillwater Area by providing up to $10,000 in grant funding to support civic-minded projects. With a mission to enhance community life, the Foundation encourages innovative ideas that have a lasting, positive impact on the local region. The primary goal of the Great Idea Competition is to encourage proposals that enrich the quality of life within the Stillwater Area. Projects should demonstrate innovation, community benefit, and feasibility. Ideas may range from beautification initiatives to projects that address environmental issues, improve quality of life, support underserved groups, or engage local residents and visitors. Previous recipients have implemented a wide variety of creative projects, such as public art installations, historical learning experiences, and community farming efforts. The competition is open to a wide audience, including individuals, nonprofit organizations, businesses, and other community groups. Applicants must either be a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, governmental, educational, or tribal entity—or must partner with a qualified fiscal sponsor. The project must benefit at least one of the nine communities within the Foundation’s service area: Bayport, Baytown Township, Grant, Lake Elmo, Marine on St. Croix, May Township (including Withrow), Oak Park Heights, Stillwater, or West Lakeland Township (north of Highway 94). To apply, participants must complete an online application form that outlines their project idea, steps to completion, and a preliminary budget. Applications officially opened on June 16, 2025, and will be accepted until the deadline of September 15, 2025. There is no indication of a rolling deadline or multi-stage application process. Top applicants may be invited to present their ideas at a Stillwater Area Community Foundation board meeting for further consideration. The Foundation evaluates submissions based on innovation, feasibility, and potential to improve community life. Winning proposals will receive up to $10,000 in grant funding, but no minimum or total program funding amount has been published. Matching funds are not required, and the number of awards granted per cycle is not specified. All awarded funds must be used in accordance with the proposal submitted and within the eligibility boundaries. The Foundation is transparent about the types of ideas it supports and the geographic boundaries of its impact. Interested applicants are encouraged to reflect on how their project enhances community pride, strengthens local connections, and engages residents or visitors. The grant competition is expected to recur annually, with a likely next cycle opening in June 2026. Although no specific contact details are listed for inquiries, applicants are directed to the Foundation’s website to apply and to learn more about past winners and application procedures.