Minnesota Employment Labor and Training Grants

This grant provides financial support to programs in Minnesota for developing and sustaining rural primary care residency training initiatives, aimed at increasing the number of trained physicians in rural areas.

The Minneapolis Foundation, in partnership with the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community, is offering grants between $1000 and $10,000 to Minnesota K-12 educators for the development and implementation of resources, curriculum, and activities that accurately teach Native content and support Native students, with a total of $150,000 available for the 2024-2025 school year.

The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) is accepting applications for its 2025 Clinical Dental Education Innovations Grant Program. Donor Name: Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) State: Minnesota County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 09/16/2024 Size of the Grant: $100,000 to $500,000 Grant Duration: Less than 1 Year Details: Clinical training is a requirement for dental professionals to become licensed, but opportunities to receive clinical training are limited. Under the authority of Minnesota Statutes, the Commissioner of Health is authorized to award grants to sponsoring institutions and clinical dental training sites for projects that increase dental access for underserved populations and promote innovative clinical dental education or clinical training programs. Funding Information Estimated Amount to Grant: $1,122,000  Estimated Award Maximum Approx: $150,000  Estimated Award Minimum Approx: $30,000 Project Period Grant Agreements begin (estimate) January 1, 2025. Grant Agreements end December 31, 2025. Eligibility Criteria Eligible applicants include teaching institutions and clinical training sites that train dental professionals. The teaching institution or the clinical training site must provide accredited clinical training, an exception can be made if the organization is actively seeking accreditation with a reasonable assumption of success.  Grant funds are not transferrable to any other entity. Applicants that are aware of any upcoming mergers, acquisitions, or any other changes in their organization or legal standing, must disclose this information to MDH in their application, or as soon as they are aware of it. For more information, visit MDH.

The Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) is seeking applications from Minnesota educational cooperative service units that have prior experience in the provision of statewide leadership and other forms of technical assistance to ensure a free and appropriate public education (FAPE) for students with low incidence disabilities. Donor Name: Minnesota Department of Education State: Minnesota County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 08/23/2024 Size of the Grant: $500,000 to $1 million Grant Duration: 1 Year Details: The grant-funded partner selected for an award will provide supports to continue to sustain and increase the capacity of the special education workforce in Minnesota. The partner selected will provide aligned, requested and anticipated technical assistance, including purposeful and sustained collaborative opportunities to educational professionals who provide education to all students, with a specific focus on students with low incidence disabilities. The work will include a multi-tiered support framework for technical assistance (MTS-TA) to support skill building for educators and other educational professionals, including coordination and partnership with their local districts, coops and other educational agencies that provide special education services. This includes important disability-specific technical assistance and best practices for early identification and support, in collaboration and alignment with institutions of higher education focusing on development of a competent workforce and addressing staff shortages. Students with low incidence disabilities have been those students which comprise less than 10 percent of all students receiving special education services, or students within those historical categories where the needs for some of those students might require a layer of more intensive supports. The categorical areas in which they anticipate necessary supports are listed under specific program expectations for grant-funded partners. Funding Information This grant opportunity estimates that $875,000 per year is available. Project Period The term of the initial grant period is anticipated to be from October 1, 2024, through September 30, 2025. Eligibility Criteria  This competitive grant opportunity is open to Minnesota education cooperative service units that have the capacity to provide leadership and technical assistance on a statewide scale. For more information, visit MDE.

The Arrowhead Regional Arts Council offers annual operating support of up to $15,000 for nonprofit arts organizations located in the Arrowhead region of Minnesota. 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: (mm/dd/yyyy) 09/15/2024 Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: Operating Support is intended for overall arts organization operations, continuing or expanding programming, and arts activities. Eligibility Criteria Arts organizations must be a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization (an organization with an IRS-designated 501(c)3 status) In addition, a fiscally sponsored arts organization with 80% of its budget designated to the arts also qualifies. Additionally The organization must be located within the seven Minnesota counties served by ARAC: Aitkin, Carlton, Cook, Itasca, Lake, Koochiching, and St. Louis Counties, as well as the Fond du Lac, Grand Portage, Bois Forte, and Leech Lake nations within Itasca county. The organization must produce or present arts programs, services or projects that are relevant to its community and are available to the public. The organization has operated as an arts organization for at least one full fiscal year and can provide a financial statement for their most recently completed fiscal year at the time of application. Grant Funds are Eligible for but not limited to: General Operating Support (costs related to organization overhead expenses) Arts programs (an established or ongoing creative endeavor) Arts services (providing services for artists, arts organizations, or the arts community) Arts projects (the origination of a creative endeavor that may include collaborations with artisPts and other organizations) Support services needed relating to hosting artists and arts organizations (ex. performances by touring artists/companies) Exhibitions such as visual art shows Local theatre productions For hosting of arts events by contracting for the services of another organization or individual to provide arts programming to our local or regional community Residencies involving a professional artist or culture bearer Workshops, classes, publications, films, and presentations that promote artists or participation in the arts Public art projects Art equipment not exceeding 25% of overall funds requested Other projects providing access to the arts for community audiences For more information, visit ARAC.

The North Central Region SARE (NCR-SARE) Research and Education (R&E) Grant Program is a competitive funding opportunity offering $100,000 to $500,000 for up to 3 years to researchers, educators, and organizations exploring sustainable agriculture, with the aim of improving economic viability, environmental quality, and quality of life in the North Central Region's agricultural sector.

The LifeCare Health Care Fund Grants provides financial support for charitable, educational and health care related activities, projects and services benefiting residents and visitors of Roseau County. Donor Name: Northwest Minnesota Foundation State: Minnesota County: Roseau County (MN) Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 08/28/2024 Size of the Grant: $100,000 to $500,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: The fund includes a general endowment fund as well as several sub-funds that support specific purposes, such as cancer care, diabetes and dialysis care, updating and replacing medical equipment, hospice projects, and financial assistance for individuals and families that have experienced the loss of a pregnancy or child. Funding Information Grant more than $175,000. Grant Proposal Guidelines The LifeCare Health Care Fund will consider grant requests from nonprofit organizations for monies from the following funds: General Endowment – The purpose of this fund is to provide financial support for health care, wellness, and senior living related charitable and educational activities, projects or services benefiting residents and visitors to the LifeCare Medical Center service area.        Roseau Eagles Auxiliary Diabetes and Dialysis – The purpose of this fund is to provide direct financial support for equipment, training, patient support or other related purposes for diabetic and dialysis needs in Roseau County. Think Pink Breast Cancer  – The purpose of this fund is to provide financial support for patient transportation, education, equipment, and activities related to breast cancer programs within the communities served by LifeCare Medical Center.  Roseau County Cancer – The purpose of this fund is to provide funding for projects, programs, equipment, and services necessary to meet the needs of the community as they relate to cancer care and support of individuals being treated for cancer at Lifecare Medical Center or that reside in Lifecare’s service area. Selection Criteria  Selection Criteria will focus on: How the project/program fits within the mission of LifeCare Health Care Funds, as well as the purpose of the fund being accessed. The scope of the project/program. The number of participants served, number of communities served and number of organizations served. For more information, visit Northwest Minnesota Foundation.

The Central Minnesota Community Foundation is offering a grant ranging from $3,000 to $15,000 to nonprofits, schools, or government entities that serve women and/or girls within a 30-mile radius of St. Cloud, focusing on programs that support girls aged 10-18, women in transition, and elder women, with an emphasis on promoting equality, success, health, economic self-sufficiency, and addressing unique aging issues.

The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) is accepting applications for its International Medical Graduate Primary Care Residency Grant Program. Donor Name: Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) State: Minnesota County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 09/06/2024 Size of the Grant: $100,000 to $500,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: Minnesota faces a shortage of primary care physicians, particularly in rural and underserved areas of the state. Physicians who received their medical training in other countries and have immigrated to Minnesota can help strengthen primary care workforce and serve diverse communities across the state. The Minnesota Legislature established programs to facilitate pathways to integrate these physicians into the Minnesota health care workforce. The IMG Primary Care Residency Grant Program provides funding to accredited primary care residency programs in Minnesota to support the training of IIMG residents. IIMGs who accept a grant-funded residency position enter into an agreement with MDH to provide primary care for at least five years in a rural or underserved community in Minnesota after graduating from the residency program. IIMGs also make payments into a revolving account that contributes to sustaining MDH IMG assistance programs, including this residency grant program. Funding Information Estimated Amount to Grant: $390,000. Estimated Award Maximum: $390,000. Eligibility Criteria Eligible applicants fulfill all the following criteria:  Residency program in one of the following primary care specialties:  Family medicine,  General internal medicine,  General pediatrics,  General surgery,  Obstetrics and gynecology, or  Psychiatry.  Located in Minnesota and train medical residents in Minnesota.  Demonstrate current accreditation by and compliance with the Institutional and Program Requirements for Graduate Medical Education in the specialties listed above of the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME). For more information, visit MDH.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to locomotive owners in Minnesota for implementing technologies that reduce idle time and diesel emissions, improving air quality and public health.

The Health Professionals Clinical Training Expansion (HPCE) grant program support the establishment or expansion of clinical training for eligible health professional training programs. Donor Name: Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) State: Minnesota County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 09/09/2024 Size of the Grant: $100,000 to $500,000 Grant Duration: 3 Years Details: Providing funding opportunities for clinical training programs will strengthen Minnesota’s health care workforce and increase access to primary care and mental health services for rural and underserved urban communities. This grant program funds activities associated with planning and implementing new clinical training programs and expanding the number of professionals trained through existing clinical training programs in rural and underserved urban areas in Minnesota. Priorities Health Equity Priorities The Health Professionals Clinical Training Expansion Grant seeks to expand Minnesota’s health care workforce by establishing and expanding clinical training opportunities, with a particular focus on increasing the number of health professionals serving in rural and underserved urban communities in Minnesota. Clinical training is a necessary component of health professional education, but capacity for clinical training is limited and barriers to expansion exist.  This grant will serve: Rural and underserved urban communities by strengthening Minnesota’s health care workforce and improving access to health care. Eligible health professional programs and students by expanding clinical training opportunities. Grant outcomes will include: Greater access to health care in rural and underserved urban Minnesota communities. An increase in the number of clinical training opportunities for health professionals. Other Competitive Priorities Program advances health equity. Program incorporates strong model of team-based primary care. Program is likely to be sustainable after the grant period. Funding Information The Minnesota Legislature has appropriated $500,000 annually for this program. Distribution of Funding: Eligible clinical training programs may receive up to $75,000 for a one-year planning project. Eligible clinical training programs may receive up to $300,000 for a three-year expansion project. Eligible Expenses  Grant funds awarded may only be spent to cover the costs of: Establishing or expanding clinical training for physician assistants, advanced practice registered nurses, pharmacists, dental therapists, advanced dental therapists, and mental health professionals in Minnesota.  Recruitment, training, and retention of students and faculty.  Connecting students with appropriate clinical training sites, internships, practicums, or externship activities.  Development and implementation of health equity and cultural responsiveness training.  Supporting clinical education in which trainees are part of a team-based primary care model.  Travel and lodging for students.  Faculty, student and preceptor salaries, incentives, or other financial support.  Training site improvements, fees, equipment, and supplies required to establish, maintain, or expand an eligible training program.  Evaluations of the clinical training program(s). Eligibility Criteria  Eligible applicants are programs that fulfill the following criteria: Are located in Minnesota and train, or propose to train, students residing and working in Minnesota.  Plan to establish or expand clinical training for students in the following health professional programs: Advanced Practice Registered Nursing Program  Must be accredited as a master’s, doctoral, or postgraduate level advanced practice registered nursing program by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education or by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing, or be a candidate for accreditation. Dental Therapy Program or Advanced Dental Therapy Program  Must be approved by the Minnesota Board of Dentistry or currently accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation.  Mental Health Professional Program  Must be accredited by the appropriate accrediting body for clinical social work, psychology, marriage and family therapy, or licensed professional clinical counseling, or be a candidate for accreditation.  A mental health professional is defined as an individual providing clinical services in the treatment of mental illness who meets one of the qualifications under MN Statutes Pharmacy Program  Must be accredited as a Doctor of Pharmacy program by the Accreditation Council on Pharmacy Education.  Physician Assistant Program Must be accredited as a physician assistant program by the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant or be a candidate for accreditation.  Applicants must be able to demonstrate membership and compliance with the corresponding accrediting bodies.  Applicants from the same organization may hold two grants as long as they are providing clinical training program planning or expansion in two different departments. For more information, visit MDH.

The Ramsey County is seeking applications for its Ramsey County Trusted Messenger Initiative Grants. Donor Name: Ramsey County State: Minnesota County: Dakota County (MN), Ramsey County (MN) Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 08/12/2024 Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: The purpose of these grants is to generate and grow innovative ways to deliver a variety of public health services, resources and information. Focus an Scope Services Each organization must only submit one application and can only select one priority area below. Healthy Communities: The applicant collaborates to increase awareness and access to culturally informed public health information and programs which include healthy aging, Hmong health, sexual violence services, adolescent health, and child and teen checkups. Extra effort is made to reach racially and ethnically diverse communities, immigrant families and new Minnesotans who face the greatest health inequalities, language barriers, and/or may be isolated from county and other community services. Women, Infants, and Children (WIC): The applicant collaborates to increase WIC program awareness and referrals of pregnant and postpartum women and their children so they may receive healthy food, nutrition education and lactation support. Extra effort is made to reach people early in pregnancy and multigenerational African American populations. Family Health and Home Visiting: The applicant collaborates to promote equity in birth outcomes for racially and ethnically diverse communities, especially African American, Native American, Latino/x and immigrant populations. Extra effort is made to support families, fathers and other caregivers, to navigate care before and after birth and to increase cultural and community connections using a holistic approach. Clinical Services: The applicant collaborates to increase awareness and access to vaccines and immunizations, tuberculosis care, sexual and reproductive health services such as HIV and STD testing and treatment, syringe services, wound care, naloxone training and outreach for people using drugs. Environmental Health: The applicant collaborates to find creative ways to increase participation in food scraps pick-up, household hazardous waste drop-off and electronics recycling programs, especially within racially and ethnically diverse communities. They also increase awareness of the Environmental Service Center, the future “one stop shop” for recycling and waste collection. Climate Action: The applicant collaborates to increases awareness of climate change and its impacts on health as well as the county’s resources and programs to lessen those impacts. Funding Information Ramsey County Public Health is continuing this initiative and anticipates awarding approximately 10 grants, up to $36,000 each. Eligibility Criteria Current and former Trusted Messenger organizations may apply. The following are not requirements, however these people or organizations are encouraged to apply: Those who have never contracted with Ramsey County before. Ethnically and culturally diverse, women-owned or veteran-owned organizations. Organizations with less than 50 employees. Organizations serving not only Ramsey County but also adjacent counties including Dakota County. For more information, visit Ramsey County.

The Minnesota Department of Health is seeking applications for its 2025 Primary Care Residency Expansion Grant. Donor Name: Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) State: Minnesota County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 09/06/2024 Size of the Grant: $100,000 to $500,000 Grant Duration: 3 Years Details: In 2015, the Minnesota Legislature enacted Minnesota Statutes Section 144.1506, authorizing the Commissioner of Health to award grants to fund new primary care residency positions. The Primary Care Residency Expansion Grant Program supports the establishment of new primary care residency programs or the training of eligible residents in newly created residency positions within existing programs in Minnesota. This grant program was enacted to address the shortage of primary care physicians in many areas of the state, with the goal of increasing access to primary care for rural and underserved communities. Funding Information The Minnesota Legislature has appropriated $1,900,000 in grant funds for fiscal year 2025. Eligible programs may receive up to $75,000 for primary care residency planning projects. For implementing a new primary care residency slot over a three-year residency period, the maximum award will be $150,000 in year 1, $100,000 in year 2, and $50,000 in year 3. For eligible residency programs longer than three years, training grants may be awarded for the duration of the residency, not exceeding an average of $100,000 per residency slot per year. Eligible Projects Grant funds may be used for: Planning related to establishing an accredited primary care residency program; Obtaining accreditation by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education or another national body that accredits residency programs; Establishing new residency programs or new resident training slots; Recruitment, training, and retention of new primary care residents and faculty; Travel and lodging for new primary care residents; Salary and fringe for new primary care residents, as well as faculty and preceptors related to new residency slots; Training site improvements, fees, equipment, and supplies required for new primary care resident training slots; and Supporting clinical education in which primary care residents are part of a primary care team model. Eligibility Criteria  Eligible applicants are programs, sponsors, and potential sponsors of primary care residency positions that fulfill all the following criteria: Located in Minnesota and train, or propose to train, medical residents in Minnesota. Train, or propose to train, medical residents in the following primary care specialties: Family medicine, General internal medicine, General pediatrics, Psychiatry (including child psychiatry fellowships), Geriatrics, or General surgery. Demonstrate current accreditation by and compliance with the Institutional and Program Requirements for Graduate Medical Education in the specialties listed above of the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) or submit a credible plan to obtain accreditation. Propose to plan or implement one or more new primary care residency slots. Applicants that currently train residents must document the baseline number of residents in the eligible specialty and agree to maintain that baseline number of residents as well as the new resident(s) to be supported with grant funding. Agree to verify the number of residents in the program each year to continue to receive funds. For more information, visit MDH.

This grant provides financial support to nonprofit organizations in the Greater Itasca Area of Minnesota to help them address community needs and improve the quality of life through innovative projects and collaboration.

The Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation (SMIF) is currently accepting applications for its Small-Town Grant Program. Donor Name: Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation State: Minnesota County: Selected Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 08/26/2024 Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000 Grant Duration: 1 Year Details: The Small Town Grant Program seeks to invest in collaborative initiatives which improve the way your community works together, solves challenges, creates a welcoming community and sense of belonging for all. SMIF seeks proposals which focus on collaboration throughout the project and will impact the culture, education, economy and/or social aspects of your community. Funding Information  Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation offers up to $10,000. Grant Period 12 Months. Geographic Areas Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation serves south central and southeastern Minnesota which includes 20 counties, 175 communities and one Native nation. This includes the counties of Blue Earth, Brown, Dodge, Faribault, Fillmore, Freeborn, Houston, Goodhue, Martin, Le Sueur, Nicollet, Mower, Rice, Olmsted, Steele, Sibley, Waseca, Wabasha, Winona and Watonwan, as well as Dakota Oyate (Prairie Island Indian Community). Eligibility Criteria  Eligible organizations are units/agencies of government, IRS-designated 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations (current status, not pending), and public institutions (public schools, public higher education, etc.) Organizations which do not comply with the above status may seek a fiscal agent who holds one of the above legal statuses. Exclusions Individuals, businesses, or other for-profit organizations General operating expenses and expenses not directly related to the project Programs or services mandated by law Routine maintenance Campaigns or endowments For more information, visit SMIF.

Applications are now being accepted for the 2024 Mardag Foundation Grant Program. Donor Name: Mardag Foundation State: Minnesota County: Dakota County (MN), Ramsey County (MN), Washington County (MN) Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) Details: Mardag Foundation believes that the community should not only benefit from the work, but inform and form it as well. Creating solutions to today’s issues requires a collaborative approach. The work is also rooted in a commitment to racial equity. Funding Priorities The Mardag Foundation has three focus areas and will consider proposals that address one or more of the following: Improving the lives of low-income Children, Youth and Families that lack access to critical opportunities and resources that they need Mardag Foundation seeks to support organizations focused on eliminating barriers and increasing access to equitable opportunities for children, youth and families.  Priority will be given to organizations working with marginalized communities (especially Black, Indigenous and communities of color) at the intersections of education, basic needs, mental health, access to healthcare, pathways to employment, and stable and affordable housing. Supporting older adults across Minnesota who lack access or have barriers to critical opportunities to thrive and create community connections Mardag Foundation supports organizations directly serving low-income older adults who may also be experiencing other forms of marginality (e.g., Black, Indigenous, and People of Color, people with disabilities, members of the LGBTQIA+ community, etc.). Priorities include meeting basic needs, improving the well-being and quality of caregiving, addressing isolation and mental health issues, services to help older Minnesotans age in place and/or in safe and stable housing, and intergenerational programming. Building capacity to improve community vitality through Arts & Culture Mardag Foundation shares Grantmakers in the Arts’ view that “all peoples, their cultures, and their art contribute to the meaning and understanding of the humanity and should be honored and celebrated.” Priority will be given to arts and culture organizations that seek to amplify narratives and voices across BIPOC communities and other communities experiencing marginalization (e.g., older adults, people with disabilities, low-income children/youth/families, members of the LGBTQIA+ community, etc.) through the arts. Types of Grants The Foundation will consider grant applications for: General Operating Support These grants provide flexible funding for nonprofits in which at least 50% of the organization’s services benefit residents in the East Metro and/or Greater Minnesota. Any organization meeting this threshold is eligible for general operating support (including organizations that have never previously received support from Mardag Foundation). Capital Projects Capital projects must be located in Greater Minnesota or the East Metro AND 50% or more of all services provided by the entire organization must benefit Greater Minnesota and/or East Metro (Washington, Dakota and Ramsey counties) residents. Grants are designed to support investment in buildings, facilities and equipment. Foundation investments are typically limited to buildings owned by nonprofits or held by long-term lease agreement. These grants are generally paid over multiple years. Geographic Areas  The Mardag Foundation makes grants to nonprofit organizations and public entities located within and serving residents of Minnesota. The geographic focus of our grantmaking is the East Metro area of Dakota, Ramsey and Washington counties, as well as Greater Minnesota. Eligibility Criteria  Grants can be made to 501(c)3 organizations, education or governmental units and religious institutions. While an organization may be eligible to apply, attention and preference will be given to organizations: Prioritizing people experiencing the most marginalization, especially due to race, ethnicity, gender identity or sexual orientation, age, ability, immigration status, etc. Where work is informed, formed and led by the people most impacted by it. Ineligibility The Foundation will not consider grant applications for: Organizations using fiscal sponsors Organizations exclusively serving Minneapolis and the surrounding West Metro area Scholarships and grants to individuals Sectarian religious programs or organizations Federated campaigns Events and conferences Capital campaigns of private secondary schools Capital and endowment campaigns of private colleges and universities Program/project specific requests For more information, visit Mardag Foundation.

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 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 Arts and Cultural Heritage (ACH) program provides funding for arts organizations directly engaged in the creation of art, the production of artistic performances, or the sponsorship of quality arts activities in the local communities. Donor Name: Prairie Lakes Regional Arts Council State: Minnesota County: Blue Earth County (MN), Brown County (MN), Faribault County (MN), LeSueur County (MN), Martin County (MN), Nicollet County (MN), Sibley County (MN), Waseca County (MN), Watonwan County (MN) Type of Grant: Grant Deadline:  08/01/2024 Size of the Grant: $1000 to $10,000 Grant Duration: 1 Year Details: This program is made possible by the Arts and Culture Heritage Fund, created by the people of Minnesota to support the arts and preserve the heritage. The Clean Water, Land and Legacy Amendment funds this program, through the Minnesota State Legislature. Disciplines may include dance, literature, media arts, music, theater, visual art, folk and traditional art. A variety of activities including art and music festivals, community choirs, dance performances, literary readings, instrumental and vocal music concerts, public art projects, theater productions, visual art classes and exhibitions are eligible. The organization should describe their arts programming and request funds for those activities in the expense categories listed on the application budget. Funds may be used for on-going programs, in-person or virtual, and groups are encouraged to offer new and different activities with the grant funds or enhance their events. Prairie Lakes values an equitable, diverse, and inclusive community and this is reflected in the policies, programs, and the community they serve. They are committed to countering systemic inequities that exclude individuals and communities from access to the arts based on race, gender, disability, national origin, sexual orientation, class, age, and geography. This may include historically marginalized and underserved groups such as: Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC), People with Disabilities, LGBTQ+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, etc.), and Senior Citizens. Types of Grants ACH Arts Project Grant. Arts Programming and Access – maximum request $9,000. Funds can be used for in-person or virtual Arts programming, activities, and events. Also, equipment that improves the artistic capabilities of the organization including sound equipment, lights, risers, office equipment, computer, monitor, software, etc. is fundable. ACH Arts and Music Festival Grant. Arts Programming – maximum request $6,000. A celebration of art and culture should include: Has a significant focus on the arts. Preferably provides a showcase of Minnesota artists. Contains many activities consolidated into a condensed time period. Has several different, yet related, arts activities happening simultaneously. Is open, inviting, and available to a diverse audience. ACH Arts Education Grant. Maximum request $6,000. Public Schools. This is available to all public or private non-parochial schools (K-12) in the nine-county area. The focus is to provide educational partnerships between local and regional professional artists, arts, organizations, and schools. To enhance school arts curriculum by providing artist residencies, live arts performances, mini-workshops, and arts related field trips. To enhance programs and curriculum design through visits to professional artists’ studios, performances by professional theatre, dance or musical groups, readings by writers, visits to art galleries, exhibitions, and other locations pertinent to the creation and exhibition of art. To collaborate with arts organizations in the region to perform in their school and/or community. Grant Period All projects should be completed within one year. Eligibility Criteria The applicant organization must have an address and provide arts programming within the Prairie Lakes Regional Arts Council region. This includes the counties of Blue Earth, Brown, Faribault, LeSueur, Martin, Nicollet, Sibley, Waseca, and Watonwan. Non-profit tax-exempt 501(c)(3) arts organizations, non-profit community groups, schools, public organizations or units of governments that produce or sponsor arts activities within the region are eligible. An arts group located within the region, formed as a limited liability company (LLC) with a not-for-profit intent may be eligible to apply if they are using a fiscal sponsor. For more information, visit Prairie Lakes Regional Arts Council.

The Artist in Residence (AIR) program provides funds of up to $3,500 to schools and nonprofit organizations in support of activities directed by, or conducted in cooperation with, an artist who engages students and enables learning through the creative process. Donor Name: Central MN Arts Board State: Minnesota County: Benton County (MN), Sherburne County (MN), Stearns County (MN), Wright County (MN) Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 07/24/2024 Size of the Grant: $1000 to $10,000 Grant Duration: More than 10 Years Details: Resident artists must be chosen based on their ability to enhance programs and curriculum. An ideal residency is composed of a balance between demonstration and hands-on activity. Artists-in-Residence enrich student experiences by sharing and demonstrating a deep understanding of their art form. Program Outcomes Regional residents learn new arts skills & techniques. Regional residents gain awareness and appreciation for a variety of artistic disciplines and mediums. Regional artists build their capacity through professional development. Proposals to the Artist in Residence program must contain the following components: Arts Learning activities conducted with a core group A Community Component that invites and informs the community surrounding the school or organization to learn about or participate in residency activities A Staff In-Service component that builds staff capacity and/or supports residency activities Eligibility Criteria Applicants must serve Region 7W residents and be located within the Minnesota counties of Benton, Sherburne, Stearns, or Wright. Nonprofit 501(c) (3) organizations Community groups WITH nonprofit fiscal sponsorship Public Schools Local government entities (city, township and county) For more information, visit Central MN Arts Board.