Minnesota Grants

The Forecast's 2025 Early Career Project Grant, ranging from $1,000 to $10,000, invites Minnesota-based artists to apply for funding to support the creation of a temporary or permanent public artwork anywhere in the state, with the grant-funded period running from January 1, 2025, to November 30, 2025.

This funding opportunity supports nonprofit organizations, schools, and government entities in specific Minnesota and Wisconsin communities to enhance youth education and promote health and fitness initiatives.

The Forecast Public Art’s Midwest Memory Grant, ranging from $10,000 to $100,000, is open to non-profit organizations in rural Midwest communities, aiming to elevate and preserve the stories of BIPOC communities through monuments, with a focus on addressing systemic inequities and advancing racial justice.

The Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) is seeking applications from Minnesota educational cooperative service units with prior experience in statewide leadership and technical assistance to ensure a Free and Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) for students with low incidence disabilities. This grant aims to sustain and increase the capacity of Minnesota's special education workforce, aligning with the MDE's mission to support all students, particularly those with low incidence disabilities who comprise less than 10 percent of all students receiving special education services or require intensive support in specific categorical areas. The grant opportunity estimates $875,000 per year is available, with an initial grant period from October 1, 2024, through September 30, 2025. The primary beneficiaries of this grant are educational professionals who provide education to students with low incidence disabilities in Minnesota, as well as the students themselves. The impact goals include enhancing the skills of educators and other educational professionals, addressing staff shortages, and improving early identification and support for students with low incidence disabilities. This initiative seeks to build a competent workforce capable of delivering high-quality special education services across the state. The program prioritizes providing aligned, requested, and anticipated technical assistance, including purposeful and sustained collaborative opportunities. This will involve a multi-tiered support framework for technical assistance (MTS-TA) to foster skill-building for educators. A key focus is coordination and partnership with local districts, coops, and other educational agencies, as well as collaboration with institutions of higher education to address workforce development and staff shortages. The categorical areas for necessary supports are outlined in the specific program expectations for grant-funded partners. Expected outcomes include a more robust and skilled special education workforce in Minnesota, improved technical assistance for educators, and enhanced educational outcomes for students with low incidence disabilities. Measurable results will likely involve metrics related to the number of professionals trained, the types of technical assistance provided, and improvements in early identification and support practices. The ultimate goal is to ensure that all students, especially those with low incidence disabilities, receive the necessary supports to achieve a free and appropriate public education.

The PRISM (Promoting Rural Interconnections for Sexual Minorities) grant program, offered by the PFund Foundation, is designed to bolster the capacity and connectivity of rural LGBTQ+ organizations across a five-state service area: Iowa, Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wisconsin, including Native Nations within these states. This initiative directly aligns with PFund's mission to support LGBTQ+ communities, particularly in underserved rural areas. By focusing on rural interconnections, PFund aims to address the unique challenges faced by queer individuals in small towns and rural parts of the upper Midwest, fostering a more connected and resilient LGBTQ+ ecosystem in these regions. The primary beneficiaries of the PRISM program are LGBTQIA2S+ populations in rural communities within the specified states. The program targets organizations that primarily serve these populations, have been in operation for at least one year, are based in or serve rural areas (towns under 50,000 people), and are registered 501(c)(3) nonprofits or informal groups with a fiscal sponsor. The impact goals are to increase the capacity of these organizations, enhance their connections through networking, and empower them to effectively respond to the specific issues affecting queer people in their communities. The program's priorities and focuses revolve around creating networks for LGBTQ+ organizations and groups to facilitate resource sharing, collaborative learning, and collective action. This cohort collaboration is a central tenet, designed to build a strong, supportive community among rural LGBTQ+ leaders and organizations. The funding, ranging from $10,000 to $20,000 for a 12-month period, supports these organizations in strengthening their infrastructure and programs to better serve their constituents. Expected outcomes include more robust and sustainable rural LGBTQ+ organizations, increased inter-organizational collaboration, and a more unified response to the challenges faced by queer individuals in the upper Midwest's rural areas. While specific measurable results are not explicitly detailed in the provided text, the program's emphasis on capacity building, connection, and cohort collaboration suggests that metrics would likely include the number of organizations participating, the types of resources shared, the attendance and engagement in monthly virtual meetings, and qualitative assessments of increased organizational effectiveness and community impact. PFund Foundation's strategic priority with the PRISM program is clearly to support and uplift rural LGBTQ+ communities, recognizing their distinct needs and often overlooked struggles. The theory of change underpinning PRISM is that by providing targeted financial support, training, and fostering a collaborative network, rural LGBTQ+ organizations will become more resilient and effective. This, in turn, will lead to improved services, stronger advocacy, and a better quality of life for LGBTQ+ individuals living in these areas, ultimately contributing to a more equitable and inclusive Upper Midwest.

This program provides funding to non-profits and public organizations for projects that improve the community in areas such as arts, education, economic development, and historic preservation within the ISD 88 region.

This grant provides flexible funding to arts organizations in northeastern Minnesota to support their core operations and enhance accessibility for audiences and artists with disabilities.

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

The North Central Region SARE (NCR-SARE) Partnership Grant Program is seeking applications to provide funding of $10,000 to $100,000 for projects that foster cooperation between agriculture professionals and small groups of farmers and ranchers, aiming to catalyze on-farm research, demonstration, and education activities related to sustainable agriculture.

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.

This program provides financial assistance to Minnesota farmers for purchasing and installing safety equipment in their grain storage facilities.

This fund provides financial support to nonprofit organizations, schools, and government entities in the St. Cloud area to empower girls and young women through outdoor activities and initiatives that promote self-esteem and mutual respect.

This grant provides financial support to nonprofit organizations, schools, and government entities that create programs and projects benefiting women and girls in the St. Cloud, Minnesota area, focusing on empowerment, education, and health.

The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) is offering the International Medical Graduate Career Guidance and Support Program to address barriers faced by international medical graduates (IMGs) in becoming licensed and practicing medicine in Minnesota. This initiative aligns with the broader mission of strengthening the state's healthcare workforce, expanding access to care, fostering healthy communities, and providing culturally responsive care to underserved populations. The program aims to integrate the potential of IMGs into Minnesota's health system, recognizing their significant contributions. The primary beneficiaries of this grant program are immigrant international medical graduates who are seeking to enter the Minnesota health workforce. The program's impact goals are centered on supporting these IMGs through career guidance and support services, ultimately facilitating their licensure and practice in the state. By doing so, the program contributes to a more diverse and robust healthcare workforce capable of meeting the diverse needs of Minnesota's communities. The program's priorities and focuses include awarding grants to eligible nonprofit organizations and postsecondary educational institutions. These organizations must be located in Minnesota, be in good financial standing, and demonstrate strong experience in working with immigrants and refugees, working with IMGs, and providing health care career guidance and support. This ensures that the awarded funds are channeled through organizations with proven capabilities in supporting the target population. Expected outcomes include an increase in the number of IMGs successfully integrated into the Minnesota health workforce. Measurable results will be tied to the number of awards distributed (estimated one or two awards) and the range of funding provided ($100,000 to $400,000 per award, with an estimated total of $400,000-$500,000 available). While specific quantitative metrics for IMG licensure are not explicitly detailed, the success of the program will be evident in the enhanced support and guidance offered to IMGs, leading to their increased participation in the state's healthcare system. The program's strategic priority is to address a critical workforce gap and promote equitable access to healthcare for all Minnesotans.

The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) International Medical Graduate (IMG) Primary Care Residency Grant Program aims to address the critical shortage of primary care physicians in Minnesota, particularly in rural and underserved communities. This program aligns with the broader mission of strengthening the state's healthcare workforce and improving access to primary care for its diverse population. By facilitating the integration of internationally trained physicians into the Minnesota health care system, the program leverages existing medical expertise to meet a significant community need. The target beneficiaries of this grant program are accredited primary care residency programs in Minnesota that train International Medical Graduates, as well as the IIMGs themselves. The impact goals are to increase the number of primary care physicians serving rural and underserved areas, thereby improving health outcomes and access to care in these communities. The program focuses on supporting the training of IIMG residents in key primary care specialties such as Family Medicine, General Internal Medicine, General Pediatrics, General Surgery, Obstetrics and Gynecology, and Psychiatry. A core priority of the program is to ensure that IIMGs who receive grant-funded residency positions commit to serving for at least five years in a rural or underserved Minnesota community after graduation. This commitment is a crucial mechanism to directly address the physician shortage in areas of greatest need. Furthermore, IIMGs make payments into a revolving account, which contributes to the sustainability of MDH's IMG assistance programs, including this residency grant program, demonstrating a long-term strategic approach to workforce development. The expected outcomes include an increased supply of primary care physicians in Minnesota's rural and underserved areas, enhanced access to quality healthcare for diverse communities, and a more robust and diverse healthcare workforce. While specific measurable results like the exact number of IIMGs trained or the reduction in physician vacancies are not detailed, the program's structure with its five-year service commitment and revolving fund suggests a theory of change focused on sustained workforce growth and equitable distribution of medical professionals. The estimated grant amount to grant and award maximum of $390,000 indicates a substantial investment in achieving these outcomes.

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency is offering a $10 million grant to tribal nations and local governmental units in Minnesota for projects aimed at preparing local wastewater infrastructure for climate change impacts, with a focus on protecting water quality, increasing resilience, and promoting energy and water efficiency.

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 Minnesota Pollution Control Agency is offering a grant of over $1 million to public, private, and nonprofit owners of heavy-duty diesel vehicles in Minnesota to replace their old vehicles with new, cleaner models, aiming to reduce diesel emissions and improve air quality.

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.