Minnesota Social Advocacy Grants

This program provides competitive funding to nonprofit organizations, tribal nations, and local government entities in northeastern Minnesota to address critical community needs such as food security, housing, and social equity.

This grant provides funding to nonprofit organizations, K-12 schools, and higher education institutions in Minnesota that support innovative programs benefiting youth and families.

This funding opportunity supports organizations in Minnesota that provide essential services to individuals and families facing housing and food insecurity, helping them acquire necessary tools and infrastructure to improve their support efforts.

This program empowers individuals from underrepresented communities in the Twin Cities metro area to develop advocacy skills and engage with state legislative processes, fostering community leadership and systemic change.

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.

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 established nonprofits in Southern Minnesota that focus on improving literacy, children's health, mental health, and related services to address urgent community needs.

This initiative recognizes and supports individuals in Minnesota who are actively working to dismantle racism and promote racial equity through impactful community engagement and advocacy.

This program recognizes and rewards individuals in Minnesota who have made significant, yet often unrecognized, contributions to their communities, promoting inclusivity, equity, and deeper connections among residents.

This grant provides $250,000 to innovative Minnesota-based organizations that engage their communities in creative problem-solving for lasting social impact, with additional recognition and funding for finalists.

This grant provides funding to small- to medium-sized nonprofits in Hennepin County, Minnesota, to enhance their capacity and operations in order to promote economic mobility and support community needs.

This funding opportunity supports nonprofit organizations that help at-risk youth, particularly boys from broken homes, by addressing issues related to juvenile delinquency and promoting youth development and rehabilitation.

This funding opportunity supports nonprofit organizations, public agencies, and tribal entities in Northwest Minnesota that are working to create inclusive communities for immigrants and refugees by enhancing social, civic, and economic connections.

This grant provides financial support to nonprofit organizations and local government units in Morrison County, MN, to enhance community services and sustainability through innovative projects in areas like arts, education, and children's programming.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to local communities, non-profits, and organizations to develop and expand childcare services, addressing the shortage of quality childcare providers across Minnesota.

This funding opportunity provides financial support for health and wellness projects that benefit residents in Roseau County, Minnesota, focusing on areas such as cancer care, diabetes services, hospice projects, and assistance for families facing pregnancy or child loss.

The Minneapolis Foundation announces a call for proposals from nonprofits, schools, and school districts seeking grants for work that advances equity and supports youth voice in local K-12 schools. Donor Name: Minneapolis Foundation State: Minnesota City: Selected Cities Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 06/21/2024 Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000 Grant Duration: Less than 1 Year Details: The Reimagine Education grants prioritize efforts to: Elevate student and community voices and power to build bridges between schools, families, and communities and improve school climates and academic outcomes. Provide opportunities for educators to build their understanding of race and equity and implement strategies that create culturally responsive and inclusive schools. Advocate for policies at the school, local, and state level to address systemic barriers to racial equity in Minnesota’s education system. Here’s a non-exhaustive list of  the types of work foundation plans to support: Student leadership and power building Recruitment and retention of diverse educators with equity-focused mindsets Principal and teacher leadership and collaboration Development of equity and climate frameworks Local or state policy advocacy Professional development and training to support teachers and school leaders to implement evidence-based literacy instruction Development and implementation of strategies to address student mental health challenges and improve school climate and culture Efforts to engage students and their families in district and school-level decision-making. Funding Information Grants will range from $10,000 to $75,000, with an average award of $25,000 to $40,000. Grant Period The grant period is September 2, 2024, to June 13, 2025. Eligibility Criteria  Funding will be awarded to public schools or school districts and 501(c)(3) nonprofits that organize students, parents, and community members; engage in education policy advocacy to advance equity and eliminate disparities; and help educators collaborate to build their understanding of race, equity, and culture, and to create positive school climates. Foundation will prioritize proposals that impact Minneapolis; however, they will consider organizations in inner-ring suburbs (Brooklyn Park, Brooklyn Center, Robbinsdale, St. Louis Park, etc.). For more information, visit Minneapolis Foundation.

The Women’s Foundation of Minnesota has launched the Innovators Program. Donor Name: Women’s Foundation of Minnesota State: Minnesota County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 06/24/2024 Size of the Grant: $1000 to $10,000 Grant Duration: 1 Year Details: The Women’s Foundation of Minnesota (WFM) believes in the leadership and ideas of young women and gender-expansive leaders in state. Through the Innovators program, WFM provides microgrants of $3,000 directly to young women and gender-expansive people (ages 16-24) to fuel their ideas and support their development as leaders with microgrants, cohort-based learning, and individual leadership coaching. Innovators leadership, ideas, and solutions advance key recommendations in the Young Women’s Initiative of Minnesota’s (YWI MN) Blueprint for Action. Grants through the Innovators program fund projects that advance gender and racial equity and justice, led by visionary leaders who are leading within their communities from the intersections of their identities and experiences. Innovators meet as a cohort in-person for technical support and leadership development.  Focus Areas GOAL 1: Build Pathways to Economic Opportunity. GOAL 2: Improve Safety and Well-being. GOAL 3: Promote Young Women’s Leadership. Project Period The funds must be used within 12 months. Funds can be used Think creatively: How can this microgrant uniquely help move your leadership and ideas forward? How can it help you be more effective in the impact you want to make? Example projects could be executed in the following ways: Start or continue a social change initiative. Design and pursue a personal learning plan. Attend a conference and share learnings with community for impact. Organize an event for impact. Supply resources to organize people for advocacy. Research Travel as part of greater learning and share in Minnesota for impact. Participation Leadership Convenings & Coaching – WFMN will engage young women in mandatory online and/or in-person convenings for leadership development, advocacy, and building community. The convenings will give young women an opportunity to support, develop, and scale their leadership and ideas. This leadership development includes direct professional coaching to support Innovators in their grant-funded projects and to deepen their leadership for the long term. Eligibility Criteria The Women’s Foundation of Minnesota is accepting applications from eligible applicants in the state of Minnesota. Eligible candidates: Must be 16-24 years old at the date of program kickoff. Identify as a young woman and/or gender-expansive youth. The definition of a young 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. Applicants must reside in the state of Minnesota throughout the grant period. Priority given to young women and gender-expansive leaders who identify with at least one of the priority communities of the Young Women’s Initiative of Minnesota: Black/African American, African Immigrant, American Indian, Hispanic/Latina, Asian/Pacific Islander, LGBTQ+, Disabilities, Greater/Rural Minnesota. Citizenship is not required For more information, visit WFMN.

This funding opportunity provides financial support for assessing and revitalizing contaminated properties in Minnesota to promote community development and essential services while preventing gentrification.

The Thief River Falls Area Community Fund is inviting applications for grants from nonprofit or public entities within the Thief River Falls School District area. Grants are intended for projects, programs, or activities that enhance the quality of life for residents and visitors of the Thief River Falls area. Primary focus areas include youth engagement, social need, senior enrichment, and overall quality of life enhancement. Applications are open until May 1, 2024. The fund is a component of the Northwest Minnesota Foundation, which serves 12 northwestern Minnesota counties. More information and application details can be found on their website.