Minnesota Infrastructure Grants

The 2024-25 Giving Project Grant specifically seeks to support organizations whose work advances gender justice in Minnesota. Donor Name: Headwaters Foundation for Justice State: Minnesota County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 08/29/2024 Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000 Grant Duration: 2 Years Details: The Giving Project is dedicated to funding Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC)-led, grassroots, community-based organizations across Minnesota that use community organizing as a core strategy to advance equity and justice. Areas of interest for the 2024-25 Giving Project Grant include but are not limited to: reproductive justice; bodily autonomy; queer and trans justice; gender equity; healthcare equity and access; anti-gender-based violence; and leadership development for gender-oppressed folks of color. Funding Information The organizations selected for the 2024-25 Giving Project Grant will receive unrestricted, general operating grants of $40,000 paid out over two years, $20,000 per year. Eligibility Criteria To be eligible, an organization must: Be a legally incorporated entity with 501(c)(3), or, 501(c)(4) status, or have a fiscal sponsor, or be a tribal nation/tribal entity. Be based in and carry out their work in Minnesota. In addition, eligible organizations may: Be a current or past Headwaters’ grantee partner. Be new to Headwaters. Be either an emerging or established organization. For more information, visit Headwaters Foundation for Justice.

This grant provides funding for organizations in Minnesota and Wisconsin to implement impactful water quality improvement projects and promote environmental stewardship within their communities.

This program provides funding to eligible public transit agencies in designated urban areas to improve security and resilience against terrorism and other threats through various protective measures and enhancements.

This funding is designed to support non-profit organizations in Hubbard County, Minnesota, that implement community-based programs and outreach initiatives aimed at preventing child abuse and promoting family well-being.

This program provides financial support to licensed childcare providers to improve the quality of their services through equipment upgrades, technology investments, and facility enhancements.

The Women’s Foundation of Minnesota Fund for Safety resources innovation to end gender-based violence, a continuum that includes sex trafficking, domestic violence, rape, sexual assault, and sexual harassment. Donor Name: Women’s Foundation of Minnesota State: Minnesota County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 09/20/2024 Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000 Grant Duration: 1 Year Details: The Fund for Safety continues and expands investment in women’s safety as it works with communities to end gender-based violence. In partnership with community leaders, the Women’s Foundation follows an ethos of listening and responding to community concerns to drive strategic, cross-sector plans and create collective impact. The focus on Safety prioritizes ending all forms of violence that affect women, girls, and gender-expansive people including sexual violence, physical violence, state and structural violence, and exploitation and abuse experienced by elders and people with disabilities. The Fund responds to community concerns and drives strategic cross-sector plans for collective impact as they eliminate barriers that create health, economic, gender, and racial inequities. WFM is committed to investing in organizations working with Black, Indigenous, Latinx, Asian and Pacific Islander communities, LGBTQ+ people, people with disabilities, Greater and rural MN communities, and immigrant and refugee populations. The Fund for Safety has three priorities with anticipated outcomes listed below. As a result of listening to communities and grantee-partners, WFM invests in healing from trauma and cultivating community-centered solutions for survivors of gender-based violence, which includes sex trafficking, domestic violence, rape, sexual assault, sexual harassment, exploitation and abuse of elders and people with disabilities, as well as state and structural violence. Goals Strengthen systems and infrastructure to sustain the movement to end genderbased violence, which includes sex trafficking, domestic violence, rape, sexual assault, sexual harassment, exploitation and abuse of elders and people with disabilities, as well as state and structural violence. Build and sustain the movement for missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls; missing and murdered Black women and girls; and preventing violence against Latina women to address systemic inequities and reform policies that perpetuate gender-based, state-sanctioned violence. Prevent cycles of gender-based violence with young women, men, and gender-expansive people to address misogyny, misogynoir, and toxic masculinity through education to promote healthy gender norms and relationships. Grant Amount Grant is a one-year investment of $20,000 in general operating support. Eligibility Criteria Nonprofit tax-exempt organizations and schools that are based in Minnesota and operate programs in Minnesota. Unincorporated organizations with a tax-exempt fiscal sponsor. American Indian Nations. Funding Criteria Programs located in Minnesota Programs are specific to benefit Minnesota women, girls, and gender-expansive people and/or organizations serving at least 50 to 75 percent of women, girls, and gender-expansive people. The definition of a woman is anyone who identifies as a woman. The program is inclusive of transgender, gender nonconforming, gender nonbinary, and all gender-expansive people who experience gender-based structural harm. Organizations demonstrate the ability to work in partnership with other organizations Programs are driving innovative solutions that advance gender and racial equity and justice by increasing access to safety. For more information, visit WFMN.

The Patricia Ann Emberg Charitable Trust provides grants to tax exempt, nonprofit and governmental vocational, technical and trade school programs located throughout northeastern Minnesota and northwestern Wisconsin. Donor Name: Patricia Ann Emberg Charitable Trust State: Minnesota, Wisconsin County: Selected Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 05/05/2024 Size of the Grant: Not Available Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: Preference given to programs of study with the potential for providing qualified candidates for the workforce in prominent regional industries like forestry and aircraft maintenance. Program Area Education Requirements Tax exempt, nonprofit and governmental vocational, technical and trade school programs located throughout northeastern Minnesota and northwestern Wisconsin. For more information, visit Wells Fargo.

The Minnesota Department of Education makes this funding available to legally established public libraries and library cooperatives or consortia, libraries located in Minnesota’s public schools or public colleges and universities, and special libraries operated by a Minnesota registered 501 (c)(3) organizations for the purpose of helping to achieve Minnesota’s LSTA Five-Year Plan (2023-2027), Goals A, B, and C, in order to reduce barriers to access, promote equity, showcase libraries contributions to community, and empower Minnesota’s library workforce. Donor Name: Minnesota Department of Education State: Minnesota County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline:07/12/2024 Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000 Grant Duration: 1 Year Details: While LSTA funds are primarily intended to support new projects that can serve as models or pilots, applications for new phases of a project that is underway may be submitted. Libraries may also apply for funding of an ongoing project if it reaches new audiences, incorporates new methods or significantly expands the reach of the project. Goal C also addresses the state’s need to close racial and economic achievement gaps for all Minnesotans and supports the goals of the World’s Best Workforce. For the 2024 LSTA competitive grant opportunity, applicants will select one of the following LSTA sub-goals. Goal A: Building Coalitions to Increase Collective Impact Goal B: Partnering for Reimagined Access Goal C: Changing the Narrative to Showcase Libraries’ Contributions to Thriving Communities Funding Information This grant opportunity estimates that $400,000 is available. The minimum grant award is $10,000 and the maximum grant award may not exceed $75,000. Project Period The term of the grant period is anticipated to be from October 1, 2024, through September 30, 2025. Eligibility Criteria  Eligible applicants are limited to legally established public libraries and library cooperatives, libraries located in Minnesota’s public schools or public colleges and universities, and special libraries operated by Minnesota registered 501(c)(3) organizations. A Minnesota registered 501(c)(3) organization may serve as a fiscal agent for a public library. Applicants may submit more than one competitive application, although only one LSTA grant per applicant/beneficiary will be awarded. Partnerships and collaboration with community-based organizations are an LSTA program priority and encouraged but not required for this grant opportunity. If your project includes partners, you must submit a completed Project Partnership Agreement form for each partner identified in your application. For more information, visit MDE.

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.

This funding opportunity provides financial support for community-based projects in Goodhue County that aim to prevent opioid misuse and promote healthy lifestyles.

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.

This grant provides financial support to new and developing charter schools in Minnesota to assist with planning, program design, and initial implementation, particularly focusing on improving access and academic achievement for underserved students.

This grant provides financial support to grocery stores and small food retailers in Minnesota to improve their facilities and equipment, making healthy and affordable food more accessible in underserved 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 Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is requesting proposals for 2025 Tradition Grant Cycle. Donor Name: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources State: Minnesota County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 09/17/2024 Size of the Grant: $100,000 to $500,000 Grant Duration: 4 Years Details: The CPL program is habitat-focused. Grant activities include the enhancement, restoration, or protection of forests, wetlands, prairies, and habitat for fish, game, or wildlife in Minnesota. All applications should identify the direct habitat benefits of the project including but not limited to specific species, ecosystems, habitat types, and natural heritage features.  Restoration and enhancement projects will only be funded on lands that are: Permanently protected by a conservation easement as defined in MN Statutes 84C.01;  in public ownership (ownership by a unit of government including tribal, federal, state, county, city, school district, special district, etc.); or in public waters as defined in MN Statutes, Section 103G.005, subdivision 15. Funding Information Traditional (Statewide): $4,400,000 Up to 2 funding cycles. All eligible projects (restorations, enhancements, or acquisitions) on all eligible lands. Grant requests between $5,000 and $500,000. Total project cost may not exceed $1,000,000. Grant Period The grant period starts when the grant contract is “executed,” meaning all required signatures have been obtained, and typically lasts 3 to 3 ½ years. Eligible Expenses Eligible expenses are expenses (contracts, supplies and materials, salaries, etc.) directly incurred through project activities that are direct to and necessary for the project described in the application. Eligibility Criteria Registered 501 c(3) nonprofit organizations and government entities are eligible for CPL funding. Private individuals and for-profit organizations may not apply. Partnerships are encouraged. Examples of eligible applicants include but are not limited to the following:  Non-Profit Organizations Land Trusts Lakes Associations Charitable Organizations Private Colleges and Universities Fishing and Hunting Organizations “Friends of” Groups Other Registered Non-Profits Government Entities Cities Counties Tribal Governments Federal Agencies Conservation Districts Public Universities School Districts Other Units of Government. For more information, visit DNR.

The Neighborhood STAR program awards funding for capital improvement projects in Saint Paul neighborhoods. Donor Name: City of Saint Paul State: Minnesota City: Saint Paul Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 05/15/2024 Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000 Grant Duration: 2 Years Details: State and local legislation was enacted in 1993 to allocate revenue from the city’s half-cent sales tax to the Neighborhood Sales Tax Revitalization (STAR) Program. Administered by the City’s Department of Planning and Economic Development (PED), Neighborhood STAR provides reimbursement grants of $5,000 or more for capital improvement projects which strengthen the vitality of city’s neighborhoods. Public, private, non-profit, or for-profit entities located in or doing business in Saint Paul may apply for STAR funds. If you choose to apply and require translation services for the application process, please contact STAR staff for assistance. Funding Information Grant requests up to $50,000 do not require matching funds. Anticipated project dates: September 1, 2024 – August 31, 2026. Eligible STAR-Funded Projects and Activities Eligible activities include: Renovation, rehabilitation andor construction of commercial, residential, or industrial property Most fixed interior and exterior improvements to commercial or residential structures including walls, ceilings, floors, lighting, windows, doors, entrances, electrical, plumbing HVAC, energy and security improvements, handicap accessibility, and building code corrections Minor public improvements (major public improvements should be referred to the city’s Capital Improvement Budget (CIB) process) Beautification of public or private open space, including trees and shrubs, rain gardens, benches, play equipment, bicycle parking, and lighting that are site-specific and have a life expectancy of 7+ years. Creative placemaking / placekeeping capital improvement activities, including public art and creative public infrastructure improvements, especially those that contribute to cultural diversity. Non-profit neighborhood organizations providing a funding program to local businesses, homeowners, or condominium/townhome owners for capital improvement activities Eligibility Criteria Public, non-profit, and for-profit entities located in or doing business within the City of Saint Paul City departments and quasi-governmental entities are an eligible applicant when in partnership with a neighborhood and/or community group Churches and religious organizations are eligible to apply when in partnership with a neighborhood and/or community group and only with respect to a project that: (i) is non-sectarian and whose primary effect neither advances nor inhibits religion; (ii) will make capital improvements for functions not associated with church-sponsored or religious type activities; and (iii) is open and available to the public at large on a regular basis Ineligible Applicants Political parties and political action groups Federal, state and county agencies and departments Individual homeowners, condominium, or townhome owners and/or the association representing them For more information, visit City of Saint Paul.

This funding opportunity provides $5 million to Minnesota's tribal nations and local governments for projects that improve community resilience against climate change impacts, such as extreme heat and wildfires.

This funding opportunity supports local nonprofits, schools, and government entities in Kandiyohi County, Minnesota, to implement projects that foster community connections, inclusivity, and long-term positive change.

This funding opportunity supports community organizations in Hennepin County to implement innovative waste prevention and recycling projects that benefit underserved communities.

The Community Foundation of Grand Forks is currently accepting applications for its Women’s Fund Grant Program to provide ideas, energy, and resources so that girls and women are empowered to achieve economic, social, and political equity. Donor Name: Community Foundation of Grand Forks East Grand Forks & Region State: Minnesota, North Dakota County: Grand Forks County (ND), Polk County (MN), Walsh County (ND) Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 08/14/2024 Size of the Grant: $1000 to $10,000 Grant Duration: 1 Year Details: The vision of the Women’s Fund is to: raise awareness of challenges, concerns, and opportunities facing girls and women today support opportunities that build leadership skills and confidence among girls and women encourage women to become philanthropists. Funding Information ​​​ ​Grants are ​typically awarded in the $5,000 range. ​Grant Period  October 1, 2024 – September 30, 2025,​. Eligibility Criteria  Grant applicants must fulfill the following criteria: Be a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with tax exempt status or be fiscally sponsored by a nonprofit with such tax exempt status. Or be a public entity, such as a library or school, or a unit of government. Have principal operations in Grand Forks, Walsh, or Polk County, unless prior approval received. Be current with all reports if a prior Community Foundation grant recipient. Demonstrate general fiscal responsibility and agree to use the funds in a manner consistent with the grant application. Have a Board of Directors that meets on a regular basis. ​​Submit a complete and accurate application, providing all requested information, by the stated deadline. ​For more information, visit Community Foundation of Grand Forks.