Minnesota Employment Labor and Training Grants

This program provides $40 million in funding to support environmental and public health initiatives in underserved communities across the Great Lakes region, prioritizing tribal governments, small nonprofits, and local organizations addressing environmental challenges.

This program provides financial and technical assistance to businesses in Ramsey and Washington counties to reduce harmful pollutants and improve environmental health, with a focus on supporting minority-owned businesses and those in pollution-vulnerable areas.

This funding opportunity supports small, rural nonprofit hospitals in Minnesota to develop strategic plans or implement projects that improve access to essential health services in their communities.

This grant provides financial support to artists in specific Minnesota counties to help them advance their careers through various projects, training, and creative endeavors.

This funding opportunity supports urban youth agricultural education and community development initiatives in Minnesota's urban and peri-urban areas, benefiting a range of organizations including nonprofits, schools, and local governments.

The Small Rural Hospital Improvement Program (SHIP), overseen by the Minnesota Department of Health, aims to assist small rural hospitals in implementing value-based payment systems and improving health care quality. The program is supported by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services through the Federal Office of Rural Health Policy. SHIP funding focuses on enabling hospitals to comply with Medicare program requirements, improve health care quality, and achieve financial sustainability. For the 2025 program year, the estimated maximum grant award for eligible hospitals is $13,832, distributed equally based on state allocations. The grant does not require matching funds and operates on an annual funding cycle, with the 2025 program year running from June 2025 to May 2026. The program supports non-federal, short-term general acute care hospitals with 49 or fewer beds, located in rural areas. Eligible entities include for-profit, nonprofit, and faith-based organizations, as well as tribal hospitals. Critical Access Hospitals automatically qualify under their rural designation. Applicants must disclose potential organizational changes, such as mergers, during the application process. Collaboration is encouraged, and hospitals may apply as networks or consortia. SHIP funding can be used for a variety of purposes, including purchasing hardware and software, providing training, and supporting efforts related to value-based purchasing, accountable care organizations, and payment bundling. Examples include implementing electronic health records, conducting quality improvement training, and enhancing interoperability systems. Certain expenses are ineligible, such as staff salaries, contractor fees without training components, and supplies for patient satisfaction. Applications must be submitted online via the Minnesota Department of Health’s Grants Portal by January 10, 2025, at 4:30 p.m. Central Time. Required materials include a completed application form, budget allocation, project descriptions, and disclosures. Current SHIP grantees must reapply to receive funding for the new cycle. An informational webinar will be held on December 17, 2024, to assist applicants, with materials available afterward. Selection criteria include compliance with submission requirements, alignment with SHIP goals, and detailed descriptions of planned activities. Grantees are required to submit mid-year and final reports to ensure accountability and secure payments. The state reserves the right to conduct monitoring visits and financial reconciliations for grants exceeding $50,000. Technical assistance is available from the Minnesota Department of Health. The program emphasizes compliance with affirmative action, nondiscrimination laws, and conflict-of-interest disclosures. Applications become public after the evaluation process, except for designated trade secrets. The program timeline includes specific deadlines for reporting and invoicing, with the final report due by July 2026. Grantees must ensure their projects align with the state and federal requirements outlined in the program guidelines.

The Laura Jane Musser Fund offers grants up to $25,000 for collaborative rural community projects in selected states and counties, prioritizing initiatives that involve diverse community participation, demonstrate local support, and aim for positive change within 18 months.

This grant provides financial support to local nonprofits and organizing committees in Mankato to create or sustain community events that benefit the local economy and are open to the public.

This funding opportunity supports community-driven projects that improve water quality and promote environmental stewardship in the Twin Cities area, targeting eligible non-profits, schools, and local organizations.

The Blush Foundation's Giving Days program is designed to raise awareness and funds for nonprofit organizations working to improve communities in Minnesota, North Dakota, and South Dakota. This initiative aligns with the foundation's broader mission to strengthen the nonprofit sector by leveraging online fundraising to create engaging, accessible giving opportunities. The program's expansion in 2024 to include organizations benefiting Native communities further emphasizes a commitment to equitable support across the region, reflecting a strategic priority to reach diverse populations. The primary beneficiaries of this grant program are 501(c)(3) public charities and government entities located within Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, or the 23 Native nations sharing this geography. The program targets organizations that are currently hosting or intend to host a Giving Day, with an impact goal of enhancing their fundraising capabilities and overall community engagement. By supporting these events, the Blush Foundation aims to empower local nonprofits to generate significant financial resources and build stronger connections with their donor bases. The program prioritizes organizations that demonstrate a strong ability to organize, host, and promote a Giving Days program within their region. A key focus is on building nonprofit fundraising skills, with selected organizations expected to commit to this development through provided tools and/or support. Furthermore, the foundation seeks organizations with the skills, staffing, and community networks necessary to reach and equitably serve a broad range of communities, underscoring a commitment to inclusive and far-reaching impact. Expected outcomes include an increase in funds raised by participating nonprofits, a strengthened capacity for online fundraising, and a broader reach within communities, particularly Native communities. While specific measurable results are not detailed beyond the annual funding amounts ($200,000 annually to selected organizations, plus an additional $10,000 this year), the emphasis on fundraising skill-building suggests a theory of change that by investing in the operational and promotional abilities of nonprofits, the foundation can catalyze sustainable growth and greater community benefit.

This grant provides funding to organizations in Minnesota to develop and implement trauma-responsive care practices in pediatric health settings, particularly for marginalized communities.

The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) is offering the 2025 Primary Care Residency Expansion Grant, building on legislation from 2015 that authorized the Commissioner of Health to fund new primary care residency positions. This grant program is designed to address the shortage of primary care physicians across Minnesota, particularly in rural and underserved areas, with the overarching goal of increasing access to primary care for these communities. The program aligns with a strategic priority to strengthen the state's healthcare workforce and improve health equity by ensuring that all Minnesotans have access to essential medical services. The primary beneficiaries of this grant are programs, sponsors, and potential sponsors of primary care residency positions located in Minnesota that train or propose to train medical residents in specific primary care specialties. These specialties include Family Medicine, General Internal Medicine, General Pediatrics, Psychiatry (including child psychiatry fellowships), Geriatrics, and General Surgery. The grant also targets new and existing primary care residents and faculty, ultimately aiming to benefit underserved and rural communities through improved access to primary care physicians. The grant prioritizes the establishment of new primary care residency programs or the expansion of existing ones by creating new residency positions. Key focus areas for funding include planning for accredited programs, obtaining accreditation, establishing new residency slots, and recruiting, training, and retaining new primary care residents and faculty. Funds can also support travel and lodging for residents, salaries and fringe benefits for residents, faculty, and preceptors, training site improvements, equipment, supplies, and supporting clinical education within a primary care team model. This holistic approach ensures comprehensive support for the development and sustainment of robust primary care training. Expected outcomes and measurable results include an increase in the number of primary care physicians practicing in Minnesota, particularly in areas with physician shortages. The grant aims to expand the capacity of primary care residency programs, leading to more residents completing training in critical primary care specialties. Success will be measured by the number of new primary care residency slots created, the number of residents trained, and the retention of these physicians in Minnesota's rural and underserved communities, ultimately demonstrating improved access to primary care services.

The Ramsey County Trusted Messenger Initiative Grants aim to foster and develop innovative approaches for delivering public health services, resources, and information. The overarching mission alignment for this initiative is to address health inequalities, language barriers, and isolation from county services, particularly for racially and ethnically diverse communities, immigrant families, and new Minnesotans. By empowering trusted messengers, the program seeks to ensure equitable access to crucial public health support and information, aligning with a strategic goal of community well-being and health equity. The program targets specific beneficiaries across several priority areas. For "Healthy Communities," the focus is on racially and ethnically diverse communities, immigrant families, and new Minnesotans, with an impact goal of increasing awareness and access to culturally informed public health information in areas like healthy aging, Hmong health, sexual violence, adolescent health, and child/teen checkups. The "Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)" priority specifically targets pregnant and postpartum women and their children, especially early in pregnancy and multigenerational African American populations, with the goal of increasing WIC program awareness and referrals for healthy food, nutrition education, and lactation support. The "Family Health and Home Visiting" area is dedicated to promoting equity in birth outcomes for diverse communities, including African American, Native American, Latino/x, and immigrant populations, aiming to support families, fathers, and other caregivers in navigating pre- and post-birth care with a holistic approach. Key priorities also include "Clinical Services," which seeks to increase awareness and access to vaccines, immunizations, tuberculosis care, sexual and reproductive health services (HIV/STD testing, syringe services), wound care, and naloxone training for people using drugs. "Environmental Health" prioritizes finding creative ways to boost participation in food scraps pick-up, hazardous waste drop-off, and electronics recycling programs, especially within racially and ethnically diverse communities, while also raising awareness of the Environmental Service Center. Finally, "Climate Action" aims to increase awareness of climate change's health impacts and county resources to mitigate them. The expected outcomes and measurable results revolve around enhanced public health service delivery and increased community engagement. The initiative anticipates awarding approximately 10 grants, each up to $36,000, with an emphasis on reaching underserved populations. Success will be measured by improved access to health information, increased participation in public health programs, and a reduction in health disparities among the targeted communities. The foundation's strategic priorities are evident in its encouragement of applications from organizations that have not previously contracted with Ramsey County, ethnically and culturally diverse, women-owned, or veteran-owned organizations, and those with fewer than 50 employees, indicating a theory of change that values community-led, grassroots efforts and seeks to broaden the network of trusted service providers. Organizations serving adjacent counties like Dakota County are also encouraged, signaling a broader regional impact goal.

This funding opportunity provides $750,000 to Minnesota communities for projects that enhance resilience against climate impacts on stormwater, wastewater, and public health services.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to innovative technology startups in Minnesota for research, development, and business expenses, helping them grow and succeed in their early years.

The Women's Foundation of Minnesota (WFM) has launched the Innovators Program, a microgrant initiative aligned with its mission to support the leadership and ideas of young women and gender-expansive leaders. This program directly contributes to the foundation's strategic priorities by empowering youth (ages 16-24) to address gender and racial equity and justice within their communities. Through microgrants, cohort-based learning, and individual leadership coaching, WFM aims to fuel these leaders' ideas and support their development, ultimately advancing key recommendations outlined in the Young Women’s Initiative of Minnesota’s (YWI MN) Blueprint for Action. The primary target beneficiaries of the Innovators Program are young women and gender-expansive individuals aged 16-24 who reside in Minnesota. Priority is given to those who identify with priority communities of the YWI MN, including Black/African American, African Immigrant, American Indian, Hispanic/Latina, Asian/Pacific Islander, LGBTQ+, Disabilities, and Greater/Rural Minnesota communities. The program's impact goals are focused on three core areas: building pathways to economic opportunity, improving safety and well-being, and promoting young women's leadership. The Innovators program prioritizes projects that advance gender and racial equity and justice, led by visionary leaders from diverse backgrounds and experiences. Projects can be varied, including starting or continuing social change initiatives, designing personal learning plans, attending conferences to share learnings, organizing events for impact, supplying resources for advocacy, conducting research, or undertaking travel for learning purposes within Minnesota. The program emphasizes creative thinking in how microgrants can uniquely help move leadership and ideas forward, and how they can increase effectiveness in desired impact. Expected outcomes and measurable results include the successful implementation of grant-funded projects within a 12-month period, demonstrating an advancement in gender and racial equity and justice. Participants are expected to engage in mandatory online and/or in-person convenings for leadership development, advocacy, and community building. This includes direct professional coaching to support their projects and deepen their long-term leadership skills. The foundation's theory of change posits that by investing directly in young women and gender-expansive leaders, providing financial support, leadership development, and a supportive cohort, it can foster impactful projects and cultivate a new generation of leaders capable of driving systemic change.

This funding opportunity provides financial support for small businesses, property owners, developers, and nonprofit organizations to undertake renovation or new construction projects in specific areas of South and North Minneapolis.

Healthy Living Grant Program – Minnesota supports communities in building social connections through healthy eating, physical activity, mental health awareness, and community building. The purpose of the grant is to increase well-being through community-driven action, with a $1,000 grant award limit per applicant and activity or program. Eligible activities include new programs or initiatives that support physical or mental well-being and social connections, and are inclusive for all members of the community. Examples of eligible uses for grant funds include promotional materials, healthy foods at wellness activities, mental health support groups, meditation classes, exercise equipment for public use, gardening materials, tobacco cessation groups, and space rental and event materials.

This grant provides research and evaluation support to culturally specific nonprofits in Minnesota, helping them enhance their capabilities to better serve their communities.

This grant provides funding to organizations in Minnesota and Wisconsin for planning projects that improve water quality and watershed management through innovative methods, education, and outreach.