Minnesota Grants

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) is offering approximately $4.5 million in grants to support organics management projects aimed at reducing the amount of organic material sent to landfills or incinerators. This funding is intended for projects that enhance or establish collection, processing (through composting, anaerobic digestion, or feeding to animals), and education/outreach initiatives related to organics management. Eligible entities must serve or operate within Minnesota, and include not-for-profit organizations, businesses, institutions, political subdivisions (e.g., counties, cities), state agencies, and tribal governments. Applications are due by 4 p.m. Central Time on June 10, 2024.

The Donaldson Foundation dedicates its efforts to making a positive impact in communities where Donaldson Company employees reside, focusing on supporting educational initiatives. It extends grant invitations exclusively to applications with an educational aim, scrutinizing each based on criteria such as educational focus, the need of beneficiaries, impact, sustainability, and connection to communities near company locations. Eligible recipients are required to be IRS-recognized tax-exempt entities. Funding is available in the Twin Cities and several U.S. locations where Donaldson has significant operations, with grants reaching up to $20,000. Grant renewed every year. Grant Annual Cycle 2 deadline: January 15th

Art Project Program Grant Application Program Overview: 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. 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. Important Dates for FY24: Open: April 1, 2024 Deadline: Sunday, May 12, 2024 at 11:59 p.m. Project Start Date: July 1, 2024 Deadlines are firm, applicants are encouraged to finish in advance of the deadline. Assistance is available during normal business hours via email at [email protected] or [email protected]. Who Can Apply? Eligible applicants include: State-registered and federally recognized non-profit, tax-exempt organizations Accredited schools Tribal governments Units of government Eligibility Criteria: 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 our 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. No outstanding or overdue final reports from past funding. Applicants may apply only once per grant round and cannot receive funding from the same grant program twice in a fiscal year. Fiscal sponsorship is allowed for groups without non-profit, tax-exempt status. What Can I Fund? Art supplies Volunteer and administrative costs Advertising, marketing, and promotional materials Equipment or technology purchases (integral to the artistic project, <25% of total request) How Do I Apply? Applications must be completed using the ARAC Grant Portal. Submissions in any other format will not be accepted. Instructions for navigating the online system can be found by clicking on the ‘Apply Now’ button on our website. Ensure your application includes all required materials. Contact Us: For assistance or inquiries, please contact us at [email protected] or [email protected] during normal business hours. Grant renewed every year.

This funding opportunity provides financial support for arts projects, including theatrical productions, folk artist sponsorships, and public art installations, aimed at non-profit organizations and government entities.

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.

This funding opportunity provides financial support for non-profit arts organizations to carry out specific artistic projects, such as theatrical performances or cultural festivals, with a requirement for a cash match.

This grant provides financial support to non-profit arts organizations in the region to help cover their operational costs and fund public art projects, with a focus on sustaining artistic activities and community engagement.

This funding opportunity supports community-focused artistic projects, such as public art installations and workshops, aimed at enhancing cultural engagement in the region.

This grant provides funding for schools in northwestern Minnesota to purchase equipment that enhances artistic programs and supports local artistic development.

The Tier 3 Clinical/Translational Research Grant is designed for advanced research projects that are concurrently applying for or have funding from federal or industry sources. This grant requires published preliminary data and offers up to $500,000 over three years with an additional two-year no-cost extension.

This grant option, part of the Minnesota Spinal Cord Injury and Traumatic Brain Injury Research Grant Program, aims to support early-stage research into innovative treatments and rehabilitative techniques for spinal cord and traumatic brain injuries. The Tier 1 Pilot Project Grant does not require preliminary data but encourages it, reflecting early investment as researchers prepare to seek larger grants. The funding amount can reach up to $125,000 for a project duration of two years with an additional one-year no-cost extension.

The Rural and Underserved Clinical Rotations grant, authorized by Minnesota Statutes Sec 144.1505, aims to enhance health professional training sites, including those for physicians, physician assistants, nurses, pharmacists, dentists, dental therapists, and mental health professionals. This program supports the expansion of existing clinical training programs to include rural and underserved rotations or specialized training tracks, focusing on primary care settings in rural communities. This expansion is intended to strengthen the healthcare workforce and improve access to healthcare in these communities.

The "2024 Workplace Safety Grants for Health Care Entities" program is designed to enhance safety in healthcare environments through grants supporting projects focused on training staff in de-escalation and positive support services and increasing safety measures. Authorized by 2023 Session Law, Chapter 70, Article 4, Section 109, it aims for long-term improvements in safety and stability for both staff and patients. The program will distribute funds competitively, with anticipated multiple funding cycles depending on fund availability. The total program funding allocated is $4,400,000, with this cycle's estimated amount at $1,500,000 aimed to support around 30 awards.

This grant option, part of the Minnesota Spinal Cord Injury and Traumatic Brain Injury Research Grant Program, aims to support early-stage research into innovative treatments and rehabilitative techniques for spinal cord and traumatic brain injuries. The Tier 1 Pilot Project Grant does not require preliminary data but encourages it, reflecting early investment as researchers prepare to seek larger grants. The funding amount can reach up to $125,000 for a project duration of two years with an additional one-year no-cost extension.

The Cultural STAR Capital Project program provides grants to acquire or upgrade physical assets such as buildings and equipment. Such activities must have the potential for significant or long-term impact and the expenditures must be depreciable. Donor Name: City of Saint Paul State: Minnesota City: Saint Paul Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 05/15/2024 Size of the Grant: $1000 to $10,000 Grant Duration: 2 Years Details: The purpose of the Cultural STAR fund is to promote cultural vitality and economic growth, particularly in the downtown Cultural District, by strengthening the arts and culture community. Cultural STAR dollars are intended to: Build and diversify audiences; Promote a broad range of cultural offerings; Produce a long-term impact; and Leverage additional financial support. The Cultural STAR Program will achieve the purpose by making grants and loans for projects and programs that: Attract audiences; Develop and improve cultural facilities; and Build capacity of artists and cultural organizations. Geographic Focus – Cultural District At least 80% of Cultural STAR funds will be awarded to nonprofit organizations that are located within the targeted area known as the Cultural District of downtown Saint Paul. The remaining 20% of funds may be allocated to: For-profit businesses located in the Cultural District for projects that enhance visitor enjoyment of the Cultural District; or Nonprofit organizations located in Saint Paul but outside of the Cultural District. The Cultural District is defined as the geographic area bordered by Interstate 94 to the north, the Lafayette Bridge to the east, Harriet and Raspberry Islands to the south, and Chestnut Road to the west. Located in the Cultural District includes: An organization that is registered with the Minnesota Secretary of State with an address that falls within the Cultural District; or An organization which owns property in the Cultural District for purposes directly related to its Cultural STAR project; or An organization has secured a lease or rental agreement within the Cultural District for the purposes directly related to its Cultural STAR project; or An organization has secured a permit or contract for the use of Public Venues in the Cultural District for the purpose directly related to its Cultural STAR Project. Located in Saint Paul includes: An organization that is registered with the Minnesota Secretary of State with an address that falls within Saint Paul; or An organization that owns property in Saint Paul for purposes directly related to its Cultural STAR project; or An organization that has secured a lease or rental agreement within Saint Paul for the purposes directly related to its Cultural STAR project; or An organization has secured a permit or contract for the use of Public Venues in Saint Paul for the purpose directly related to its Cultural STAR Project. Loans and grants are available for capital projects; grants alone are available for organizational development and special projects. Funding Information Estimated Available Funding in 2024: In Cultural District: $796,366 Outside Cultural District, and For-profit businesses with projects in the Cultural District: $199,091 The minimum grant request is $5,000. Project Period Earliest Project Start Date: August 1, 2024  Latest Project End Date: July 31, 2026 Eligibility Criteria Eligible applicants may apply for only one of the following Cultural STAR funding types during each funding round: Special Projects Grant; Organizational Development Grant; or Capital Project Grant. Grants can be received only once per calendar year. Saint Paul-based nonprofit arts and cultural organizations located outside of the Cultural District may apply twice per round and may receive funding up to two times per calendar year – once for projects taking place outside of the Cultural District and once for projects taking place in the Cultural District. Applicant groups must be one of the following: Nonprofit arts and cultural organizations that are located within the City of Saint Paul Any public, private or nonprofit entities that are located within the City of Saint Paul City departments or divisions are eligible when applying in partnership with an eligible organization The following are not eligible to apply Churches or religious organizations Political parties and related political action groups Federal, state, and county agencies and departments Organizations that received funding in the first funding round of the calendar year. For more information, visit City of Saint Paul.

The Multipurpose Drainage Management grant program provides financial assistance to model, design, and construct projects and practices that will control water volume and rates to protect infrastructure, improve water quality and related public benefits, and mitigate climate change impacts. Donor Name: Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources State: Minnesota County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 06/03/2024 Size of the Grant: $500,000 to $1 Million Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: The Multipurpose Drainage Management RFP is now open, with $900,000 in funding available for FY 24. This competitive grant program funds multipurpose drainage management practices, targeting critical pollution source areas to reduce erosion and sedimentation, reduce peak flows and flooding, and improve water quality, while protecting drainage system efficiency and reducing drainage system maintenance for priority Chapter 103E drainage systems. Eligible Projects  Eligible activities can consist of structural practices and projects; non-structural practices and measures, project support, grant management and reporting. Technical and engineering assistance necessary to implement these activities are considered essential and are to be included in the total project or practice cost. Eligibility Criteria This grant program strongly encourages a Chapter 103E drainage authority (County, Joint County Board, or Watershed District) and Soil and Water Conservation District(s) to establish or define a partnership to apply for and use these grant funds. One SWCD or drainage authority partner is eligible to apply on behalf of a partnership, but must verify in the proposal that all the partner(s) are committed to the project. The following entities are eligible: Drainage authorities as defined by Minn. Stat. Chapter 103E Local governments (counties, watershed districts, watershed management organizations, and soil and water conservation districts or local government joint power boards) working under a current State approved and locally adopted local water management plan, comprehensive watershed management plan or soil and water conservation district comprehensive plan. Municipalities are eligible if they: 1) have a water plan that has been approved by a watershed district or a watershed management organization as provided under Minn. Stat. 103B.235; or 2) adopted an approved comprehensive watershed management plan developed under Minn. Stat. 103B.801 Counties in the seven-county metropolitan area are eligible if they have adopted a county groundwater plan under Minn Stat. 103B.255 or county comprehensive plan that has been approved by the Metropolitan Council under Minn. Stat. Chapter 473. For more information, visit BWSR.

The Pollinator Pathways grant program promotes native plantings that establish key corridors (or pathways) for at-risk pollinators such as (but not limited to) the Monarch Butterfly and Rusty Patched Bumble Bee, Minnesota’s State Bee. Donor Name: Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources State: Minnesota County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 06/20/2024 Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: The Minnesota Pollinator Pathways program is led by local conservation partners who work with Minnesota Residents to promote and establish pollinator plantings and key corridors for at-risk pollinators such as (but not limited to) the Monarch Butterfly and Rusty Patched Bumble Bee, Minnesota’s State Bee. This can be done by establishing/connecting pollinator pathways across communities with an emphasis on residences and/or community spaces. Pathways can range from a local neighborhood scale to across watersheds. Creating these pathways, by establishing deep rooted native vegetation will have climate resiliency benefits, increase biodiversity and provide other important ecosystem services. Funding Informaion A total of $1,100,000 is available for funding for the FY24/25 biennium . Only grant requests greater than $50,000 will be considered. Eligible Activities and Expenses  The primary purpose of activities funded through this program is to promote native plantings that establish key corridors for at-risk pollinators and establishing habitat for benefitting pollinators at scales from local neighborhoods to across watersheds. This will be achieved through efforts to establish habitat and educating Minnesotans about pollinators within pollinator corridors/pathways and building overall interest in ecological landscaping. This program is intended to fund pollinator plantings and to inspire and guide DIY projects. Eligible activities can consist of: Project development and public outreach actives which will directly support or supplement the goals and outcomes of the work plan such as civic engagement: public outreach; initial contacts, action, and activities with landowners/residents and/or partners; preliminary information gathering, conservation marketing or other activities. Establishment of pollinator habitat projects such as planting beneficial trees and shrubs, pollinator lawns, pollinator meadows, native pocket planting, container planting on impervious surfaces (pavement, rooftops, apartment decks etc) that are no greater than 5 ac. in size. Eligible project expense include: MN Native Plants and Seeds includes insecticide/neonicotinoid free flowers/forbs, bare root plants, grasses and sedges, trees and shrubs, and seeds. Projects should have at least three blooming plants species during spring, summer and fall with higher diversity strongly encouraged. Source native plants and seeds within 175 miles of the project location to the extent possible. Project expenses including biodegradable weed suppression mulch (non-dyed preferred), compost, fencing or other herbivores portion materials, signage, equipment rental fees, and delivery fees), contractor installation and/or maintenance of project. Program and project support- education, outreach, marketing, staff time; Education development and implementation of conservation education activities and programs such as workshops, clinics, publications, websites, presentations, fairs, etc. Supplies/Equipment acquisition of equipment (hand sod kicker, hand shovels, hand rakes and trowels, watering tree gator) or supplies. Administration/Coordination staff time for grant administration Technical and engineering assistance necessary to implement grant activities associated with technical site assessment, surveys, preliminary analysis and design, final design construction supervision, installation, inspection, and completion of projects. Eligible Lands: Projects should have a focus on residential and/or community and/or educational space garden with a maximum project size of 5 acres. Eligible expenses are those expenses solely incurred though project activities that are directly related to and necessary for producing the project outcomes described in the proposal. Grant recipients are required to account for the staff time charged to BWSR grants in order to track the expenditure of grant funds and match to ensure the use of the funds is consistent with applicable State and BWSR requirements. Costs that are unallowable to be charged to BWSR grants include but are not limited to: Bad debts, late payment fees, and investment management fees Giving donations and fundraising Entertainment, gifts, prizes, and decorations Alcohol Interest on loans not authorized under state statute. Loans of BWSR grant funds Lobbying, lobbyists, and political contributions. Eligible Organizations Academic (including but not limited to PreK through grade 12 schools and PreK through grade 12 public schools) Cities Counties Joint Powers Board Non-Profit Soil Water Conservation Districts Townships Tribal Governments Watershed Districts Watershed Management Organizations. For more information, visit BWSR.

The Central Minnesota Community Foundation, through the Thomas A. Ritsche for Youth Fund, supports youth-related programs and projects aimed at reducing crimes against and by youth. The foundation provides funding for program or project support and operational support. Eligible organizations include 501(c)3 Nonprofit Organizations, schools, and government entities. The geographical focus is on Stearns, Benton, and Sherburne Counties. Applications are to be submitted online, with decisions made by a Grant Advisory Committee and final approval by the Board of Directors.

The Organizational Development program provides grants for projects designed to strengthen the management, administration, or operations of the recipient organization Donor Name: City of Saint Paul State: Minnesota City: Saint Paul Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 05/15/2024 Size of the Grant: $1000 to $10,000 Grant Duration: 1 Year Details: The intent of the program is to challenge the organization, infuse new thinking, develop new systems, or strengthen existing systems to further the group’s growth and development. The purpose of the Cultural STAR fund is to promote cultural vitality and economic growth, particularly in the downtown Cultural District, by strengthening the arts and culture community. Such activities must 1) advance the mission of your group, and 2) have the potential for significant or long-term impact.  Cultural STAR dollars, are intended to: Build and diversify audiences; Promote a broad range of cultural offerings; Produce a long-term impact; and Leverage additional financial support. The Cultural STAR Program will achieve these purposes by making grants for projects and programs that: Attract audiences; Develop and improve cultural facilities; and Build capacity of artists and cultural organizations. Geographic Focus  At least 80% of Cultural STAR funds will be awarded to nonprofit organizations that are located within the targeted area known as the Cultural District of downtown Saint Paul. The remaining 20% of funds may be allocated to: Businesses located in the Cultural District for projects that enhance visitor enjoyment of the Cultural District; or Nonprofit organizations located in Saint Paul but outside of the Cultural District. The Cultural District is defined as the geographic area bordered by Interstate 94 to the north, the Lafayette Bridge to the east, Harriet and Raspberry Islands to the south, and Chestnut Road to the west. Located in the Cultural District includes:  An organization that is registered with the Minnesota Secretary of State with an address that falls within the Cultural District; or An organization which owns property in the Cultural District for purposes directly related to its Cultural STAR project; or An organization has secured a lease or rental agreement within the Cultural District for the purposes directly related to its Cultural STAR project; or An organization has secured a permit or contract for the use of Public Venues in the Cultural District for the purpose directly related to its Cultural STAR Project. Located in Saint Paul includes: An organization that is registered with the Minnesota Secretary of State with an address that falls within Saint Paul; or An organization owns property in Saint Paul for purposes directly related to its Cultural STAR project; or An organization that has secured a lease or rental agreement within Saint Paul for the purposes directly related to its Cultural STAR project; or An organization has secured a permit or contract for the use of Public Venues in Saint Paul for the purpose directly related to its Cultural STAR Project. Loans and grants are available for capital projects; grants alone are available for organizational development and special projects. Funding Information Estimated Available Funding in 2024: In Cultural District: $796,366 Outside Cultural District, and For-profit businesses with projects in the Cultural District: $199,091 The minimum grant request is $5,000. Project Period Earliest Project Start Date: August 1, 2024 Latest Project End Date: July 31, 2025 Eligibility Criteria Eligible applicants may apply for only one of the following Cultural STAR funding types during each funding round: Special Projects Grant; Organizational Development Grant; or Capital Project Grant or Loan. Grants can be received only once per calendar year. Saint Paul-based nonprofit arts and cultural organizations located outside of the Cultural District may apply twice per round and may receive funding up to two times per calendar year – once for projects taking place outside of the Cultural District and once for projects taking place in the Cultural District. Applicant groups must be one of the following: Nonprofit arts and cultural organizations that are located within the City of Saint Paul Informal and/or unincorporated arts-focused groups, individuals, and onetime arts projects that have associated with nonprofit arts and cultural organizations that are located within the City of Saint Paul and will serve as a fiscal and contract sponsor, provided that: (1) 100% of the project takes place in the Cultural District; and (2) such nonprofit arts and cultural organization enter into a contract with the City of Saint Paul Businesses in the Cultural District may apply for projects that enhance visitor enjoyment of the district City departments or divisions are eligible when in partnership with, or supported by, an eligible organization The following are not eligible to apply: Churches or religious organizations Political parties and related political action groups Federal, state, and county agencies and departments Organizations (other than those that have associated with informal and/or unincorporated arts-focused groups, individuals, and one-time arts projects, to serve as fiscal and contract sponsor as described in these Guidelines) that have received Organizational Development and/or Special Project grants in three consecutive grant cycles (calendar years) Organizations (other than those that have associated with informal and/or unincorporated arts-focused groups, individuals, and one-time arts projects, to serve as fiscal and contract sponsor as described in these Guidelines) that received funding in the first funding round of the calendar year. For more information, visit City of Saint Paul.

On March 26, the Cook County/Grand Marais Economic Development Authority (EDA) and the Northland Small Business Development Center (SBDC) jointly announced the launch of a Promise Act grant opportunity tailored for business owners in northeastern Minnesota. Pat Campanaro, serving as the Cook County consultant for the Northland SBDC, expressed her pride and happiness regarding the collaboration between the EDA and SBDC. The competitive Promise Act grant initiative, sanctioned during the 2023 legislative session, aims to extend assistance to businesses and communities grappling with economic adversity induced by the pandemic. The Northland SBDC has allocated $1.1 million in grants for eligible small businesses and certain nonprofits in northeast Minnesota. The grant application criteria for businesses are delineated as follows: Grants are accessible to currently operating businesses with gross annual revenues ranging from $10,000 to $750,000, as substantiated by their 2021 and 2022 tax returns or Forms 990. Grant amounts will be determined based on 2022 revenues, with the following tiers: Revenues of at least $10,000 but not exceeding $100,000 may qualify for a $10,000 grant. Revenues ranging from at least $100,000 to $350,000 may merit a $25,000 grant. Revenues between $350,000 and $750,000 may be eligible for a $50,000 grant. Preference will be given to applicants who did not receive substantial COVID-19 relief funding exceeding $10,000 from the State of Minnesota. Additionally, according to the Northland Foundation, nonprofit organizations may apply, provided they derive 30 percent or more of their revenue through non-tax-deductible sales or dues in a fee-for-service model. Grant applications opened on March 26 and will be accepted until May 21. The application form for the Promise Act grant program can be accessed through the provided link. To facilitate the application process and address queries, Campanaro and Theresa Bajda, the executive director of the EDA, announced weekly open office hours at the EDA office in Grand Marais, located at 425 W Hwy 61, Suite B. Bajda mentioned the availability of morning, afternoon, and evening sessions to accommodate diverse schedules. Interested individuals can find the scheduled office hours by contacting 218-387-3112 or reaching out to Campanaro via email at [email protected]. Campanaro emphasized their shared goal of fostering economic opportunity in Cook County and expressed satisfaction in collaborating with Bajda to advance this objective and inform businesses about available services that can positively impact their opportunities for growth. WTIP’s Kalli Hawkins conducted an interview with Pat Campanaro, the Cook County Northland SBDC consultant, and Theresa Bajda, the executive director of the EDA, discussing the Promise Act grant opportunity. The audio recording of the interview is accessible below.