2025 Energy Efficiency and Community Resiliency Planning Grant

The Initiative Foundation is currently accepting applications for its 2025 Energy Efficiency and Community Resiliency Planning Grants. This funding opportunity supports local governments, Tribal nations, school districts, and nonprofit organizations across Central Minnesota in planning and implementing clean energy and infrastructure resilience projects. The Initiative Foundation, headquartered in Little Falls, Minnesota, works to empower communities in its region by fostering economic and community development. This grant program aligns with the Foundation’s mission to build a thriving economy, vibrant communities, and a lasting culture of generosity. The grant provides financial support of up to $15,000 per applicant for projects that aim to advance clean energy adoption, improve community infrastructure resilience, and strengthen community readiness for energy-related challenges. Projects must be innovative and focused on long-term resiliency, clean energy integration, or enhanced energy efficiency. Acceptable uses of funds likely include planning, assessment, and implementation preparation but specifics on budget use are not outlined in the available documentation. Eligible applicants include local units of government such as municipalities, counties, townships, and tribal governments; school districts; and nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status. A strict geographic restriction applies: applicants must have a physical presence in and serve one or more counties in the Initiative Foundation’s service area, which includes Benton, Cass, Chisago, Crow Wing, Isanti, Kanabec, Mille Lacs, Morrison, Pine, Sherburne, Stearns, Todd, Wadena, and Wright counties, as well as portions of the Leech Lake and Mille Lacs Bands of Ojibwe within these counties. The application period is open now, with submissions due by August 1, 2025. Award notifications are expected on August 29, 2025, and funds will be distributed on September 19, 2025. There is no indication that this is a rolling grant, nor is there evidence of recurring cycles, so future availability remains uncertain. The grant application process includes a publicly accessible preview form available through the Initiative Foundation’s website. No specific application questions or submission platform details were included in the source. No tips or guidance on how to strengthen applications were published, nor was a detailed evaluation rubric provided. Interested applicants are encouraged to review grant guidelines directly through the Foundation’s site. Applicants are advised to contact program staff for guidance or to discuss project ideas. For questions or proposal discussions, Elizabeth Mboutchom, the Clean Energy & Community Resiliency Program Officer, can be reached at emboutchom@ifound.org or (320) 631-2060. Additional support can be obtained from Grantmaking Administrator Jessy Beto at jbeto@ifound.org or (320) 631-2057, or Amy Trombley, Vice President for Community, at atrombley@ifound.org or (320) 631-2043.