Minnesota Business and Commerce Grants

Special Project grants are made to groups wishing to offer quality arts activities, in any discipline, within the geographic boundaries of the City of Saint Paul. 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: Grant requests may include costs for artists and other personnel, postage, supplies, printing, travel and other expenses necessary to carry out the project. Food and beverage are not allowable expenses, and the City will not reimburse expenses related to insurance coverage. 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 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. 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 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 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 the Cultural District for the purpose directly related to its Cultural STAR Project. 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 Informal and/or unincorporated arts-focused groups, individuals, and one-time 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.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to businesses and nonprofit organizations in Hennepin County, Minnesota, to implement projects that prevent waste and promote the use of reusable materials.

The 501vc® Investment Fund is seeking to invest $200,000 to $300,000 in early-stage climate tech startups in the Greater Midwest region, focusing on sectors like advanced materials, renewable energy, and agriculture technologies.

The Food Recovery Grant supports programs that recover surplus, edible food from businesses, organizations and/or farmer’s markets for distribution to people in need. Donor Name: BizRecycling State: Minnesota County: Ramsey County (MN), Washington County (MN) Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 07/19/2024 Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: Recovery Grants are open to businesses (food donors, including food producers, distributors, grocers and cafeterias), nonprofit organizations and college food shelves in Ramsey and Washington counties. Funding Information Grant awards are up to $20,000. Uses of funds  Food Recovery & Donation Materials for food recovery activities, including collection materials (buckets, boxes, bags, etc.) and food mobility equipment (carts, pallets, etc.). Storage costs, including rental and/or equipment purchase. Transportation costs, including vehicle rental. Limited staffing costs related to food recovery/gleaning work. Infrastructure and equipment for use in food recovery and donation efforts. Education & Engagement Staff recycling training (one hour wage per employee). Eligibility Criteria  Applicants must meet the following criteria: Eligible businesses include: Businesses (food donors) Food producers Distributors Grocers Cafeterias Food shelves and banks Colleges (donation and food shelves) Farmers markets Be in good standing with the Minnesota Secretary of State and the Minnesota Department of Revenue at time of application. All food recovery associated with this grant must take place in Ramsey or Washington counties of Minnesota. For more information, visit BizRecycling.

This funding opportunity supports K-12 schools in nine Minnesota counties to collaborate with professional artists on various arts projects, promoting access to the arts for historically marginalized communities.

The Alexandria Area Community Foundation seeks to make grants that will support health and wellness in the Alexandria area – especially for the health needs of people in poverty. Donor Name: Alexandria Area Community Foundation (AACF) State: Minnesota County: Douglas County (MN) Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 06/30/2024 Size of the Grant: $1000 to $10,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: Support Strategies: Operations New or expanded programs/projects. Focus Areas Health: Provide health education to the public to prevent disease Support food nutrition or nutrition education Help people living in isolation to build social connections. Favorable Considerations Create innovative solutions to community challenges and capitalize on emerging opportunities Build or support collaborative efforts and involve other community partners such as other nonprofits, government entitles, businesses, and/or citizen groups Make a sustainable positive impact in the community Build social capital (I.e. connectedness) across generations, cultures, and other diverse segments of the community Are highly visible and have the potential to inspire additional investment in the community Projects/Programs that support diversity, equity and inclusion. Funding Information Funding Amount Range: $2,500-$5,000. Geographic Area Grants must serve the residents within Douglas County. Eligibility Criteria  Eligible organizations: 501(c) 3 nonprofit organizations Schools Government entities. For more information, visit AACF.

The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) is offering the AGRI Value-Added Grant, a reimbursement grant ranging from $100,000 to $500,000, to support value-added businesses such as bioenergy producers and hemp processors in increasing sales of Minnesota agricultural products through investment in equipment, production capacity, market diversification, and market access.

This initiative provides funding and support to nonprofit organizations, local governments, and Tribal governments in coal-impacted communities to develop and scale innovative economic projects that create job opportunities and foster local economic transformation.

This program provides training and financial support to early-stage entrepreneurs in Minnesota who are dedicated to creating socially impactful and sustainable businesses.

This funding opportunity supports projects that celebrate cultural diversity, strengthen community connections, and empower residents in the West Bank neighborhood of Minneapolis.

This program provides funding to non-profits and public organizations for projects that improve the community in areas such as arts, education, economic development, and historic preservation within the ISD 88 region.

This funding opportunity is designed to help small businesses, government entities, educational institutions, and nonprofits repair high-emitting vehicles in Minnesota, particularly in underserved communities, to improve air quality and reduce pollution.

This funding opportunity supports nonprofit organizations in Itasca County, Minnesota, to promote sustainable economic growth and reduce disparities through initiatives in affordable housing, community development, and workforce training.

This grant provides financial support to Black entrepreneurs who are positively impacting their communities, helping them grow and sustain their businesses.

This funding opportunity provides financial support for arts projects that improve accessibility and engage the community in the five-county area of Beltrami, Hubbard, Clearwater, Lake of the Woods, and Mahnomen, Minnesota.

This funding opportunity supports collaborative projects in southern Minnesota that enhance community engagement, culture, education, and social well-being.

This program provides financial support to LGBTQ+-owned and allied restaurants, cafes, and bars to help them thrive and recover from challenges.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to various organizations and entities in Minnesota to improve the competitiveness of specialty crops through research, food safety, and sustainable practices.

This funding opportunity provides financial support for organizations in Minnesota to develop innovative projects that utilize wood waste sustainably, promoting environmental benefits and economic growth.

This grant provides matching funds to property and business owners in Rochester, Minnesota, to improve commercial properties and enhance the local economy.