Minnesota Arts Grants

This funding opportunity provides financial support for arts projects, including theatrical productions, folk artist sponsorships, and public art installations, aimed at non-profit organizations and government entities.

This funding opportunity provides financial support for non-profit arts organizations to carry out specific artistic projects, such as theatrical performances or cultural festivals, with a requirement for a cash match.

This grant provides funding for schools in northwestern Minnesota to purchase equipment that enhances artistic programs and supports local artistic development.

The Cultural STAR Capital Project program provides grants to acquire or upgrade physical assets such as buildings and equipment. Such activities must have the potential for significant or long-term impact and the expenditures must be depreciable. Donor Name: City of Saint Paul State: Minnesota City: Saint Paul Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 05/15/2024 Size of the Grant: $1000 to $10,000 Grant Duration: 2 Years Details: The purpose of the Cultural STAR fund is to promote cultural vitality and economic growth, particularly in the downtown Cultural District, by strengthening the arts and culture community. Cultural STAR dollars are intended to: Build and diversify audiences; Promote a broad range of cultural offerings; Produce a long-term impact; and Leverage additional financial support. The Cultural STAR Program will achieve the purpose by making grants and loans for projects and programs that: Attract audiences; Develop and improve cultural facilities; and Build capacity of artists and cultural organizations. Geographic Focus – Cultural District At least 80% of Cultural STAR funds will be awarded to nonprofit organizations that are located within the targeted area known as the Cultural District of downtown Saint Paul. The remaining 20% of funds may be allocated to: For-profit businesses located in the Cultural District for projects that enhance visitor enjoyment of the Cultural District; or Nonprofit organizations located in Saint Paul but outside of the Cultural District. The Cultural District is defined as the geographic area bordered by Interstate 94 to the north, the Lafayette Bridge to the east, Harriet and Raspberry Islands to the south, and Chestnut Road to the west. Located in the Cultural District includes: An organization that is registered with the Minnesota Secretary of State with an address that falls within the Cultural District; or An organization which owns property in the Cultural District for purposes directly related to its Cultural STAR project; or An organization has secured a lease or rental agreement within the Cultural District for the purposes directly related to its Cultural STAR project; or An organization has secured a permit or contract for the use of Public Venues in the Cultural District for the purpose directly related to its Cultural STAR Project. Located in Saint Paul includes: An organization that is registered with the Minnesota Secretary of State with an address that falls within Saint Paul; or An organization that owns property in Saint Paul for purposes directly related to its Cultural STAR project; or An organization that has secured a lease or rental agreement within Saint Paul for the purposes directly related to its Cultural STAR project; or An organization has secured a permit or contract for the use of Public Venues in Saint Paul for the purpose directly related to its Cultural STAR Project. Loans and grants are available for capital projects; grants alone are available for organizational development and special projects. Funding Information Estimated Available Funding in 2024: In Cultural District: $796,366 Outside Cultural District, and For-profit businesses with projects in the Cultural District: $199,091 The minimum grant request is $5,000. Project Period Earliest Project Start Date: August 1, 2024  Latest Project End Date: July 31, 2026 Eligibility Criteria Eligible applicants may apply for only one of the following Cultural STAR funding types during each funding round: Special Projects Grant; Organizational Development Grant; or Capital Project Grant. Grants can be received only once per calendar year. Saint Paul-based nonprofit arts and cultural organizations located outside of the Cultural District may apply twice per round and may receive funding up to two times per calendar year – once for projects taking place outside of the Cultural District and once for projects taking place in the Cultural District. Applicant groups must be one of the following: Nonprofit arts and cultural organizations that are located within the City of Saint Paul Any public, private or nonprofit entities that are located within the City of Saint Paul City departments or divisions are eligible when applying in partnership with an eligible organization The following are not eligible to apply Churches or religious organizations Political parties and related political action groups Federal, state, and county agencies and departments Organizations that received funding in the first funding round of the calendar year. For more information, visit City of Saint Paul.

The Organizational Development program provides grants for projects designed to strengthen the management, administration, or operations of the recipient organization Donor Name: City of Saint Paul State: Minnesota City: Saint Paul Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 05/15/2024 Size of the Grant: $1000 to $10,000 Grant Duration: 1 Year Details: The intent of the program is to challenge the organization, infuse new thinking, develop new systems, or strengthen existing systems to further the group’s growth and development. The purpose of the Cultural STAR fund is to promote cultural vitality and economic growth, particularly in the downtown Cultural District, by strengthening the arts and culture community. Such activities must 1) advance the mission of your group, and 2) have the potential for significant or long-term impact.  Cultural STAR dollars, are intended to: Build and diversify audiences; Promote a broad range of cultural offerings; Produce a long-term impact; and Leverage additional financial support. The Cultural STAR Program will achieve these purposes by making grants for projects and programs that: Attract audiences; Develop and improve cultural facilities; and Build capacity of artists and cultural organizations. Geographic Focus  At least 80% of Cultural STAR funds will be awarded to nonprofit organizations that are located within the targeted area known as the Cultural District of downtown Saint Paul. The remaining 20% of funds may be allocated to: Businesses located in the Cultural District for projects that enhance visitor enjoyment of the Cultural District; or Nonprofit organizations located in Saint Paul but outside of the Cultural District. The Cultural District is defined as the geographic area bordered by Interstate 94 to the north, the Lafayette Bridge to the east, Harriet and Raspberry Islands to the south, and Chestnut Road to the west. Located in the Cultural District includes:  An organization that is registered with the Minnesota Secretary of State with an address that falls within the Cultural District; or An organization which owns property in the Cultural District for purposes directly related to its Cultural STAR project; or An organization has secured a lease or rental agreement within the Cultural District for the purposes directly related to its Cultural STAR project; or An organization has secured a permit or contract for the use of Public Venues in the Cultural District for the purpose directly related to its Cultural STAR Project. Located in Saint Paul includes: An organization that is registered with the Minnesota Secretary of State with an address that falls within Saint Paul; or An organization owns property in Saint Paul for purposes directly related to its Cultural STAR project; or An organization that has secured a lease or rental agreement within Saint Paul for the purposes directly related to its Cultural STAR project; or An organization has secured a permit or contract for the use of Public Venues in Saint Paul for the purpose directly related to its Cultural STAR Project. Loans and grants are available for capital projects; grants alone are available for organizational development and special projects. Funding Information Estimated Available Funding in 2024: In Cultural District: $796,366 Outside Cultural District, and For-profit businesses with projects in the Cultural District: $199,091 The minimum grant request is $5,000. Project Period Earliest Project Start Date: August 1, 2024 Latest Project End Date: July 31, 2025 Eligibility Criteria Eligible applicants may apply for only one of the following Cultural STAR funding types during each funding round: Special Projects Grant; Organizational Development Grant; or Capital Project Grant or Loan. Grants can be received only once per calendar year. Saint Paul-based nonprofit arts and cultural organizations located outside of the Cultural District may apply twice per round and may receive funding up to two times per calendar year – once for projects taking place outside of the Cultural District and once for projects taking place in the Cultural District. Applicant groups must be one of the following: Nonprofit arts and cultural organizations that are located within the City of Saint Paul Informal and/or unincorporated arts-focused groups, individuals, and onetime arts projects that have associated with nonprofit arts and cultural organizations that are located within the City of Saint Paul and will serve as a fiscal and contract sponsor, provided that: (1) 100% of the project takes place in the Cultural District; and (2) such nonprofit arts and cultural organization enter into a contract with the City of Saint Paul Businesses in the Cultural District may apply for projects that enhance visitor enjoyment of the district City departments or divisions are eligible when in partnership with, or supported by, an eligible organization The following are not eligible to apply: Churches or religious organizations Political parties and related political action groups Federal, state, and county agencies and departments Organizations (other than those that have associated with informal and/or unincorporated arts-focused groups, individuals, and one-time arts projects, to serve as fiscal and contract sponsor as described in these Guidelines) that have received Organizational Development and/or Special Project grants in three consecutive grant cycles (calendar years) Organizations (other than those that have associated with informal and/or unincorporated arts-focused groups, individuals, and one-time arts projects, to serve as fiscal and contract sponsor as described in these Guidelines) that received funding in the first funding round of the calendar year. For more information, visit City of Saint Paul.

The Art Project program provides funding of up to $5,000 to support relevant, meaningful arts activities with value to the community your organization serves. Donor Name: Arrowhead Regional Arts Council State: Minnesota County: Aitkin County (MN), Carlton County (MN), Cook County (MN), Itasca County (MN), Koochiching County (MN), Lake County (MN), Saint Louis County (MN) Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 05/12/2024 Size of the Grant: $1000 to $10,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: Support may be used to create, perform, exhibit, or publish artistic works; or to present arts events by contracting the services of other organizations or individuals. Grants can be fund Art supplies such as canvas, paints, fabrics, clay, etc. Funds to pay volunteer and administrative costs associated with your project. Advertising, marketing, and other promotional materials. Equipment or technology purchases are allowed but must be integral to the artistic project proposed and must be less than 25% of the total request. An approved project must begin within six months. Eligibility Criteria State-registered and federally recognized non-profit, tax-exempt organizations Accredited schools Tribal governments Units of government Your organization must be primarily based (permanent address) in Aitkin, Carlton, Cook, Itasca, Koochiching, Lake, or St. Louis County (outside Duluth) or of the four Tribal Nations within region: Bois Forte, Fond du Lac, Grand Portage, or Leech Lake (within Itasca County) for at least six months. All Duluth organizations are eligible regardless of budget size. Organizations outside of Duluth with minimum prior year arts operating expenses of $40,000 are eligible to apply to this program. Smaller groups outside of Duluth are eligible to apply to Rural & Community Art Project program. If you have no outstanding or overdue final reports from past funding. Both artists and arts organizations may apply only once per grant round, and cannot receive funding from the same grant program twice in a fiscal year. In a single ARAC fiscal year (July 1 – June 30), an organization can receive grant funding of up to $25,000 total from applications reviewed in all eligible programs. For more information, visit ARAC.

The Individual Artist Equity program provides up to $3,000 to individual artists who are Black, Indigenous, People of Color, People with Disabilities, and/or Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex, Asexual/Agender, Two-Spirit (LGBTQIA2+). Donor Name: Arrowhead Regional Arts Council State: Minnesota County: Aitkin County (MN), Carlton County (MN), Cook County (MN), Itasca County (MN), Koochiching County (MN), Lake County (MN), Saint Louis County (MN) Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 05/12/2024 Size of the Grant: $1000 to $10,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: The funding is designed to allow you to carry out a well-planned project that will allow you to grow as an artist or to take advantage of an impending opportunity. Grants can be fund Art supplies such as canvas, paints, fabrics, clay, etc. Educational opportunities that advance your creative practice or career. Labor such as services of other artists, babysitters, or paid time off from work to create art. Equipment or technology purchases are allowed but must be integral to the artistic project proposed and must be less than 25% of the total request. An approved project must begin within six months. Eligibility Criteria To be eligible to apply for this program, you must be: At least eighteen years old and not enrolled in an arts-related degree program. A U.S. citizen, or have permanent resident status. Have permanent residence(taxes/voting) in Aitkin, Carlton, Cook, Itasca, Koochiching, Lake, or St.Louis County or of the four Tribal Nations within region: BoisForte, Fond du Lac, Grand Portage, or Leech Lake(within Itasca County)for at least six months. A resident of the region for the duration of the project. If you have no outstanding or overdue final reports from past funding. Both artists and arts organizations may apply only once per grant round, and cannot receive funding from the same grant program twice in a fiscal year. For more information, visit ARAC.

The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) is now accepting applications for the spring round of the fiscal year (FY) 2024 Agriculture Growth, Research, and Innovation (AGRI) Livestock Investment Grant Program. Donor Name: Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) State: Minnesota County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 05/02/2024 Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: The AGRI Livestock Investment Grant encourages long-term industry development for Minnesota livestock farmers and ranchers by helping them improve, update, and modernize their livestock operation infrastructure and equipment. Grant funds are available for equipment purchases, physical improvements, and acquisition of facilities used to help start, improve, or expand livestock operations in the state of Minnesota. Priorities This grant will prioritize: Emerging farmers, including women; veterans; persons with disabilities; American Indian or Alaskan Natives; members of a community of color; young farmers; and farmers who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, or asexual (LGBTQIA+). Generational transitions Production of livestock for Kosher or Halal markets Robotic milking equipment Funding Information It expects to award approximately $650,000 in this round using a competitive review process. Applicants may apply for up to 10% of their project’s total cost with a minimum expense of $4,000 and a maximum expense of $250,000; grant awards can range in size from $400 to $25,000. Eligibility Criteria Applicants must: Be the principal operator of a livestock operation in Minnesota  Be a resident of the state of Minnesota or be a business entity authorized to farm in Minnesota Hold an appropriate feedlot registration when applicable. Be in good standing with the State of Minnesota: No back taxes owed. No defaults on Minnesota state-backed financing for the last seven years. Acceptable performance on past MDA grants. Compliant with current state regulations or this project will support the organization becoming compliant. For more information, visit MDA.

This funding opportunity provides up to $10,000 to schools, businesses, and nonprofits in Ramsey and Washington counties, Minnesota, to enhance recycling and organic waste collection efforts over an 18-month period.

This funding opportunity provides financial support for art projects that foster the development of local artists and engage art audiences in specific counties of Minnesota.

The Quick Support for Organizations grant program provides organizations with more quickly accessible funds for planning and small projects. Donor Name: Southwest Minnesota Arts Council State: Minnesota County: Selected Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline (mm/dd/yyyy): 08/01/2022 Grant Size: up to $2,500 Details: Applicants may choose from five project types: Art Legacy Project planning Planning for a specific large-scale project that will create a strong arts legacy in the region: Requests for proposals from artists Gathering community input Determining available resources and costs Researching the feasibility or sustainability of the future project Small arts project Arts exhibits or performances Art classes for community members of all ages (excluding projects in schools) Public art Small equipment purchase Equipment that will strengthen the organization’s capacity to serve arts needs in their region. Arts organization development Training of staff or board members at workshops and conferences Hiring consultants/specialists to assist the organization in fundraising, marketing, financial development, board development, etc. Conducting surveys to determine community interest Developing new arts programs and services Arts organization start-up Developing articles of incorporation and bylaws Filing for 501(c)(3) status Funding Information Quick Support for Organizations grants are available for up to $2,500. Geographic Area Applicant organizations must be located within the eighteen counties of the SW MN Arts Council service region (Big Stone, Chippewa, Cottonwood, Jackson, Kandiyohi, Lac qui Parle, Lincoln, Lyon, McLeod, Meeker, Murray, Nobles, Pipestone, Redwood, Renville, Rock, Swift, and Yellow Medicine counties) or on tribal lands within their service area. Eligibility Criteria The Quick Support for Organizations grant program is open to nonprofit organizations as described in Section 501 (c)(3) of the United States Internal Revenue Code with Articles of Incorporation on file with the State of Minnesota or official units of city, county, or state government of the State of Minnesota. Arts organization development and arts organization start-up project types are only open to arts organizations (organizations with missions focused primarily on the arts). For more information, visit Southwest Minnesota Arts Council.

This funding opportunity supports community-driven projects that enhance public spaces and amenities in Hastings, encouraging local partnerships and civic engagement.