Flexible Support Grant Program

The Flexible Support grant program is administered by the Metropolitan Regional Arts Council (MRAC), an organization dedicated to enhancing access to the arts across the seven-county metropolitan area of Minnesota. MRAC supports a broad range of arts-related initiatives by providing funding and resources to community-based organizations and groups. Through the Flexible Support program, MRAC continues its commitment to fostering creativity and inclusion by supporting activities that enhance access to the arts for Minnesotans. Flexible Support provides grants of up to $25,000 to eligible applicants to fund diverse arts-related activities. These funds can be used for general operating support, capacity building, capital expenses, and arts programming. Operational support may include rent, utilities, software subscriptions, insurance, staff salaries, and benefits. Capital expenses might involve facility improvements, equipment purchases, and accessibility enhancements, though certain restrictions apply. The grant also supports a wide range of arts programming activities occurring in Minnesota, such as music concerts, theater productions, and arts-focused community events. Eligible applicants must be located in one of the following Minnesota counties: Anoka, Carver, Dakota, Hennepin, Ramsey, Scott, or Washington. Applicants may be arts or non-arts nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status, community education units of school districts, public entities including state, local, or tribal governments, or fiscally sponsored groups. All applicants must meet MRAC’s eligibility criteria for leadership and annual expenses. Groups without federal tax-exempt status may still apply through an eligible fiscal sponsor, but it is the responsibility of the group to secure sponsorship prior to beginning their application. Each round of the Flexible Support program has a defined application window and funding period. The program is recurring and is offered in multiple rounds each year. For the 2025–2026 cycle, Round 2 opens on January 5, 2026, and closes February 17, 2026. All grant-funded activities must be completed, and expenses incurred within the corresponding funding periods: December 4, 2025 to May 31, 2027 for Round 1, and June 2, 2026 to May 31, 2027 for Round 2. Applications are submitted through the Submittable platform, and MRAC provides extensive application support including recorded webinars, Q&A sessions, and one-on-one assistance. Applicants must complete a detailed proposal that includes narrative responses, a proposal budget, and relevant documentation. The review process is conducted by a panel of reviewers who evaluate each submission based on criteria outlined in the grant program overview. Prior recipients of a Round 1 award are not eligible to apply again in Round 2 of the same cycle. Notification timelines and specific award details are provided after the application review is completed. For more information or assistance with the application, applicants can contact MRAC directly at [email protected].

Reach out to fiscal sponsors early; Carefully review eligibility criteria before applying