Minnesota Employment Labor and Training Grants

The Individual Artist Equity program, provided by the Arrowhead Regional Arts Council, offers grants of up to $3,000 to individual artists. This funding is specifically designed to support artists who are Black, Indigenous, People of Color, People with Disabilities, and/or Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex, Asexual/Agender, Two-Spirit (LGBTQIA2+). The program aims to foster the growth and development of these artists by allowing them to undertake well-planned projects or seize impending opportunities that further their artistic practice or career. The target beneficiaries are individual artists from the specified underrepresented groups residing in Aitkin, Carlton, Cook, Itasca, Koochiching, Lake, or St. Louis County in Minnesota, or one of the four Tribal Nations within the region (BoisForte, Fond du Lac, Grand Portage, or Leech Lake within Itasca County). The impact goal is to empower these artists, providing them with the financial resources necessary to pursue creative endeavors and professional development. This aligns with a strategic priority to promote equity and inclusion within the arts community by directly supporting artists who may face systemic barriers. The program prioritizes activities that directly advance an artist's creative practice or career. This includes funding for art supplies, educational opportunities, and labor, such as services from other artists, babysitters, or paid time off for art creation. Equipment or technology purchases are also allowed, provided they are integral to the artistic project and constitute less than 25% of the total request. This focus indicates a theory of change where targeted financial support leads to enhanced artistic output, skill development, and career advancement for underrepresented artists. Expected outcomes include artists successfully completing projects that contribute to their growth, taking advantage of professional opportunities, and producing new works or developing new skills. While specific measurable results are not explicitly detailed beyond project completion, the program's structure suggests an emphasis on the individual artist's development and the successful execution of their proposed artistic projects. The requirement for projects to begin within six months of approval also implies a focus on timely and impactful engagement with the grant funds.

This funding opportunity supports community organizations and Tribal governments in Minnesota to enhance participation and retention of people of color, Indigenous individuals, and women in registered apprenticeship programs, promoting a skilled and diverse workforce.

This funding opportunity supports nonprofit organizations that provide career development programs for Black youth aged 14-24 in designated NBA markets.

The 2024 Northwest Ohio Nonprofit Excellence Awards, presented by the Greater Toledo Community Foundation and The Blade in partnership with The Center for Nonprofit Resources, aim to honor and recognize outstanding nonprofit organizations and their achievements. This program aligns with the foundation's mission by fostering excellence and impact within the nonprofit sector, ultimately strengthening the community. The awards are structured to identify and celebrate best practices across various operational and programmatic areas, reinforcing a strategic priority to support robust and effective community-based initiatives. The program targets nonprofit organizations operating in northwest Ohio or southeast Michigan, with a focus on those demonstrating exceptional collaborative programming, strategic action, or organizational operations. The overall impact goal is to elevate the standard of nonprofit work, encourage innovative solutions to community challenges, and promote sustainable organizational health. By recognizing these achievements, the awards intend to inspire further excellence and positive community change, ultimately benefiting the residents of these regions. The awards have specific priorities and focuses across three categories: "Excellence in Collaborative Programming," "Excellence in Strategic Action," and "Excellence in Organizational Operations." Collaborative Programming prioritizes joint initiatives that leverage multiple partners to deliver excellent service, reach underserved audiences, and avoid duplication. Strategic Action highlights organizations that have strategically expanded programming or pivoted to new service delivery models, emphasizing data-driven approaches and alignment with community-wide planning. Organizational Operations recognizes overall excellence, particularly demonstrating active involvement by staff, board, volunteers, and constituents, with a focus on strong governance, financial management, fundraising, and community impact evaluation. Expected outcomes include improved service delivery to residents, enhanced community impact through creative partnerships, and more efficient resource utilization. Measurable results for Collaborative Programming focus on how projects are evaluated and the positive results achieved. For Strategic Action, success is measured by how the strategic change addressed a need, its sustainability, and metrics illustrating impact. For Organizational Operations, outcomes are demonstrated through examples of best practices in governance, financial management, fundraising, and how outcome data is used to achieve the mission and impact the community. The awards provide a $7,500 unrestricted grant from the Greater Toledo Community Foundation, a $1,000 unrestricted grant from The Andersons, and a half-page ad in The Blade, offering tangible support and recognition to further enable winning organizations to achieve their missions.

This grant provides funding to nonprofit organizations, schools, and government entities in the Brainerd Lakes region to support projects that improve community quality of life and address local needs.

This grant provides funding for programs and services that empower women and girls in Northwest Minnesota, focusing on entrepreneurship, safety, leadership, and personal development.

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

This grant provides financial support to nonprofit organizations in the St. Croix Valley region of Minnesota and Wisconsin that address community needs in areas such as healthcare, affordable housing, youth education, and human services.

This program provides financial support and resources to early-stage social and environmental entrepreneurs in Greater Minnesota who are developing ventures that address social issues while generating revenue.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to nonprofit organizations and Tribal governments in Minnesota for projects that protect and restore the state's water resources, including initiatives like clean water workshops and stormwater filtration systems.

This funding opportunity is designed to support educational institutions and clinical training sites in Minnesota that aim to improve dental care access for underserved populations through innovative training programs.

This program provides financial assistance to local governments in Minnesota for the environmental investigation and cleanup of contaminated properties to facilitate redevelopment and enhance community benefits.

This grant provides funding to organizations in Minnesota to develop workforce training programs that help adults facing employment barriers secure jobs in the agriculture sector.

This program provides financial assistance to local governments in Minnesota for improving roads that enhance access to state parks and recreational areas, ensuring safer travel for visitors.

This program provides funding and support to young civic innovators in select U.S. cities to develop creative projects that improve public spaces and engage their communities.

This funding opportunity supports small nonprofit organizations in Central Minnesota to strengthen their operational capacity in areas like food and housing support, job training, and mental health services.

This program provides financial support to local businesses in Renville County for innovative projects that promote growth, sustainability, and job creation.

This funding opportunity supports collaboration between Minnesota businesses and educational institutions to create customized training programs that enhance workforce skills, particularly for economically disadvantaged individuals.

This grant provides funding to nonprofit organizations, schools, and government entities in Benton, Stearns, and Sherburne Counties to develop programs that support and empower boys and men facing challenges in education, mental health, fatherhood, and career development.

This grant provides funding to nonprofit organizations, public schools, and school districts in Minneapolis and nearby suburbs to implement evidence-based reading strategies and promote equity in K-12 education.