Minnesota grants for County governments

This grant provides funding to organizations and initiatives focused on improving access to newborn hearing screening and services in Minnesota.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service will support projects in the Great Lakes basin that implement the following strategic, priority actions: Mitigate Invasive Forest Insect and Disease ImpactsImplement targeted reforestation and forest protection actions to minimize invasive forest insect and disease impacts on watersheds. Reduce Runoff through Green Infrastructure Capture or treat stormwater runoff by planting trees and other vegetation as an integral component of green infrastructure. Restore and Connect Coastal and Riparian Forest Habitats Protect, restore, and enhance high-quality coastal zone and connecting riparian ecosystems where trees are an important component. The minimum and maximum Federal funding requests vary depending on program area, with an overall range of $50,000 to $300,000. Please review the funding table in the Request for Applications for the allowable ranges of each program area. An informational webinar will occur on July 23rd, 2024, at 9 am Central/10 am Eastern. The link is: https://usfs-public.box.com/s/91m9ed3hrjpkab7c1a5zly1ud025xxc5 The powerpoint can be found at: https://usfs-public.box.com/s/mffkiks7dyhmuewtir2liy7tllo06u16 The webinar recording is also posted on our website at https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/r9/workingtogether/grants/?cid=FSEPRD898819.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to Minnesota-based nonprofits, businesses, and governments for projects that promote waste reduction and reuse, focusing on sustainable practices and community education.

This funding opportunity supports conservation projects that provide employment and training for young adults and veterans, helping them gain experience in environmental stewardship and resource management on public lands.

This grant provides funding to individuals, farmers, businesses, and organizations in Minnesota to enhance production capacity and market access for value-added agricultural products, with a focus on improving food safety and hemp fiber processing.

This funding opportunity provides financial support for state forestry departments, universities, nonprofits, and local governments in the Eastern U.S. to manage and combat invasive species that threaten forest health.

This grant provides funding to organizations in Minnesota to celebrate and preserve the 50-year history of Southeast Asians in the state through various cultural and historical projects.

This funding opportunity provides financial support for projects that conserve and improve natural resources, targeting municipalities, nonprofits, schools, and private property owners in Hennepin County.

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 grant provides funding to nonprofit organizations, schools, and government entities in Douglas County, Minnesota, to support health and wellness initiatives that address the needs of residents experiencing poverty.

The **Mardag Foundation** is now accepting applications for its **2024 Grant Program**, supporting organizations that promote equity, strengthen communities, and improve quality of life for Minnesotans. Rooted in collaboration and racial equity, the foundation’s approach emphasizes community-informed work that empowers marginalized populations and fosters lasting, inclusive change. Grant funding is available to organizations serving residents in **Greater Minnesota** and the **East Metro counties of Dakota, Ramsey, and Washington**. The foundation’s giving focuses on three primary areas. The first is **improving the lives of low-income children, youth, and families** who face barriers to opportunity. Priority is given to organizations serving marginalized communities—especially Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC)—and addressing intersections of education, mental health, basic needs, employment pathways, healthcare access, and housing stability. Projects that eliminate inequities and expand equitable opportunities for youth and families are especially encouraged to apply. The second focus area supports **older adults who face isolation, financial hardship, or barriers to full participation in community life**. Funding will prioritize organizations serving low-income older Minnesotans, particularly those who are also members of marginalized groups such as BIPOC, LGBTQIA+ individuals, or people with disabilities. Grants may support efforts to meet basic needs, improve caregiving quality, promote mental health, reduce isolation, and enable aging in place through stable and safe housing. The foundation also welcomes programs fostering **intergenerational connections**, which enrich both older adults and younger participants through shared experiences. The third priority is **strengthening community vitality through arts and culture**. The Mardag Foundation believes that the arts play a vital role in honoring diverse cultures and fostering shared understanding. Funding will support arts and culture organizations that elevate underrepresented voices and amplify the creative contributions of BIPOC, low-income, disabled, and LGBTQIA+ communities. Through these efforts, the foundation aims to build stronger, more connected, and culturally vibrant communities across Minnesota. The foundation offers two types of grants: **General Operating Support** and **Capital Project grants**. General operating grants provide flexible funding to nonprofits that serve at least 50% of their beneficiaries in the East Metro or Greater Minnesota. Capital grants support facility improvements or equipment purchases for projects based in these same regions, typically distributed over multiple years. Eligible applicants include **501(c)(3) nonprofits, educational institutions, government agencies, and religious organizations**. Preference is given to entities whose work is led or informed by the people most affected by the issues they address. The Mardag Foundation does not fund organizations using fiscal sponsors, those exclusively serving Minneapolis or the West Metro, scholarships, sectarian programs, or large-scale capital campaigns for private schools or universities. By focusing its support on community-led efforts that address inequality and strengthen social infrastructure, the foundation continues its mission of advancing opportunity, dignity, and well-being for all Minnesotans—especially those facing the greatest barriers to success.

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.

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.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to community organizations, schools, and healthcare providers in Cass County, Minnesota, to develop or expand programs that address the impact of opioid use and promote prevention, education, and treatment initiatives.

The New American in the Long-Term Care Workforce grant, administered by the Department of Human Services (DHS) in Minnesota through its Grants, Equity, Access, and Research (GEAR) Division, aims to support New Americans in obtaining, maintaining, and growing within the long-term care (LTC) workforce. This initiative directly aligns with the broader mission of strengthening the LTC sector by addressing workforce shortages and promoting diversity and inclusion. The grant is designed to provide specialized services and supports to New Americans, fostering their professional development and contributing to the stability and quality of LTC organizations across all counties in Minnesota. The primary target beneficiaries of this grant are New Americans seeking to enter or advance in the LTC workforce. The program's impact goals include increasing the number of New Americans in LTC, enhancing their skills and career pathways, and ultimately improving the capacity and cultural competency of LTC organizations. By focusing on this specific demographic, the grant seeks to create a more inclusive and robust workforce, which is a critical component of ensuring high-quality care for residents. The grant prioritizes several key areas to achieve its objectives. These include offering onsite Occupational English classes and training, establishing in-house mentorship programs, providing cultural competency and humility training for LTC employers and staff, and offering hiring bonuses and incentives. Furthermore, the program emphasizes digital skills training, developing mentorship and career-pathways programs for employee retention, career navigation and education, financial literacy coaching, and training stipends or tuition reimbursement. Crucially, it also provides wraparound support services such as mental health assistance, medical career education, childcare, and transportation, recognizing the holistic needs of New American workers. Expected outcomes and measurable results include an increase in the number of New Americans successfully placed and retained in LTC positions, improved career progression and skill development among participants, and enhanced cultural competence within LTC facilities. The grant anticipates awarding up to $12 million in the first round of applicants, indicating a significant investment in these outcomes. The grant period from August 1, 2024, through July 31, 2026, allows for a two-year window to implement and measure the effectiveness of these programs, with an emphasis on creating sustainable pathways for New Americans in the LTC sector. Eligible applicants for this grant include nonprofit organizations, community-based agencies, educational institutions, LTC employers, and government entities that demonstrate a strong commitment to serving New Americans. This broad eligibility ensures that a diverse range of organizations can contribute to the grant's goals. The strategic priorities of DHS, as evidenced by this grant, include fostering equity and access within critical sectors like long-term care, leveraging grant contracts to achieve workforce development goals, and supporting underserved populations. The theory of change behind this program is that by providing targeted support, training, and resources to New Americans, the state can simultaneously empower individuals, strengthen the LTC workforce, and enhance the quality of care provided to its residents.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to Minnesota communities for the planning and design of treatment systems to address PFAS contamination in public drinking water supplies.

The McKnight Fellowship for Ceramic Artists, administered by the Northern Clay Center, is designed to support outstanding mid-career ceramic artists in Minnesota. This fellowship aligns with the broader mission of recognizing and fostering artistic excellence and sustained accomplishment within the state's vibrant arts community. The program aims to empower artists, regardless of their specific methodology—be it functional, sculptural, or relational—by providing resources that enable growth and innovation in their craft. The primary beneficiaries of this program are mid-career Minnesota ceramic artists who demonstrate a consistent level of commitment and artistic excellence. The program's impact goals include providing significant financial support, encouraging experimentation with new techniques and materials, facilitating collaborations, and offering opportunities for education, exhibition, or travel. By investing in these artists, the fellowship seeks to strengthen the ceramic arts landscape in Minnesota and contribute to the artists' long-term career development. The fellowship prioritizes artists who have maintained Minnesota residency for at least one year prior to application and for the duration of the fellowship year. It focuses on supporting those who have not received a McKnight Artist & Culture Bearer Fellowship in any artistic discipline within the last five years, ensuring equitable distribution of support. Furthermore, the program looks for artists who can demonstrate ongoing artistic growth and development since any previous McKnight fellowship. Expected outcomes include the creation of new works, the acquisition of new skills or materials, successful collaborations, and participation in educational or exhibition opportunities, all contributing to the artists' continued artistic advancement. The measurable results are the two $25,000 grants awarded annually, directly supporting the selected artists in achieving these outcomes. This investment reflects a strategic priority to cultivate a thriving artistic community in Minnesota by directly supporting the careers of accomplished artists and fostering innovation within the ceramic arts.

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.

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 Neighborhood Empowerment Grant, offered by Kansas City, Missouri, is a program designed to foster community engagement, enhance neighborhood identity, and improve public safety and overall quality of life. The program aims to reduce violent and other crime, spur neighborhood investment and development, and address code violations through Association and resident-led projects. While the text doesn't explicitly state a "foundation" in the traditional sense, the city's strategic priority is clearly aligned with empowering local neighborhoods to address their unique challenges and build stronger, safer communities from within. This grant serves as a direct mechanism for the city to achieve its broader goals of urban improvement and resident well-being. The primary target beneficiaries of this grant are not-for-profit Neighborhood Associations registered with the City of Kansas City and the State of Missouri, or those partnering with registered associations. The impact goals are comprehensive, aiming to improve resident health and safety, enhance dignity, support aging in place, and address other necessary quality of life repairs. By empowering these associations, the program seeks to create a ripple effect, positively impacting all residents within the participating neighborhoods. The grant prioritizes several key areas to achieve its objectives. These include promoting active participation and involvement of residents through community engagement, celebrating unique neighborhood identities, enhancing community safety through public safety strategies, facilitating necessary repairs and upgrades for quality of life enhancements, reducing violence and other crimes, encouraging internal and external neighborhood investment, and implementing measures to reduce code violations. These focus areas collectively form a strategic approach to holistic neighborhood development and improvement. Expected outcomes and measurable results include a reduction in violent and other crime, increased neighborhood investment and development, a decrease in code violations, and an overall improvement in residents' health, safety, and well-being. The program's theory of change posits that by empowering local associations and residents to lead projects focused on these priority areas, communities will experience enhanced value through stronger partnerships, leading to increased strength and stability. The grant aims to facilitate positive interactions and outcomes, fostering resident collaboration and improving messaging within the neighborhoods. The current round of funding offers $400K for local projects, with a maximum of $20K per applicant, indicating a commitment to supporting numerous community-led initiatives.