Minnesota Community Development 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 expedited funding for small arts-related projects and planning initiatives to nonprofit organizations and local government units in southwestern Minnesota, aiming to enhance community arts engagement.

The Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation (SMIF) is inviting applications from organizations committed to building inclusive and welcoming entrepreneurial environments that expand equitable opportunities for all. This grant aims to empower communities in southern Minnesota to support diverse and traditionally underserved populations in pursuing entrepreneurship. By strengthening local ecosystems that remove barriers to participation, SMIF seeks to drive lasting economic vitality and ensure that prosperity is shared across racial and cultural lines. The foundation is particularly focused on initiatives that cultivate equitable access to entrepreneurial resources and that foster collaboration among community members to create long-term change. Eligible applicants include IRS-designated 501(c)(3) organizations, government entities, and public institutions that provide direct services or resources to help entrepreneurs start and grow businesses. Grassroots and informal organizations may also apply, provided they have an eligible fiscal sponsor. Proposed initiatives might include entrepreneurial education programs designed for BIPOC or underserved populations, community dialogues promoting inclusivity in business, or systems that expand access to funding, mentorship, and professional development. Successful proposals will articulate how their projects create tangible economic opportunities and address the systemic inequities faced by entrepreneurs of color in the region. The foundation will award grants of up to $10,000 per project, with a grant duration of up to 18 months for implementation. Each recipient is required to provide a 10% cash match and to submit both interim and final reports detailing progress and outcomes. Projects must demonstrate clear alignment with SMIF’s mission, show measurable community impact within its 20-county region, and present a plan for sustaining efforts beyond the grant period. Proposals that show strong collaboration and innovation in addressing racial and economic disparities will be viewed favorably. Certain activities and applicants are not eligible for funding. Exclusions include individuals, for-profit businesses, and general operating expenses unrelated to the project. The grant will not support capital purchases, real estate investments, feasibility studies without implementation, or re-granting activities. Likewise, projects already underway or completed before application are not eligible, nor are those focused on research or school-based internships. Organizations with an open Inclusive & Equitable Communities Grant from SMIF are also ineligible until the previous project concludes. Through this program, SMIF continues its mission to advance equitable economic growth across southern Minnesota. By investing in community-led efforts to uplift diverse entrepreneurs and dismantle barriers to opportunity, the foundation is helping to create a more inclusive, sustainable, and prosperous regional economy.

This grant provides funding to nonprofit organizations for projects that improve community development, education, basic needs, and environmental conservation in areas near the Black Oak Getty Wind Farm.

This funding opportunity supports urban youth agricultural education and community development initiatives in Minnesota's urban and peri-urban areas, benefiting a range of organizations including nonprofits, schools, and local governments.

This grant provides funding to nonprofit organizations and public agencies for innovative projects that improve the quality of life in the St. Charles, Minnesota area, with a focus on economic development and early childhood support.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to local governments, Tribal nations, school districts, and nonprofit organizations in Central Minnesota for projects that promote clean energy adoption and enhance community resilience against energy-related challenges.

This program provides financial support for construction and renovation projects that enhance rural communities and promote agricultural education, targeting local nonprofits, public entities, and collaborative organizations within a designated service area.

The Backyard Giving Grants initiative is designed to support organizations in the vicinity of CHS headquarters, which is located in the Twin Cities. This program aims to foster community unity, enhance agricultural education for the younger generation, and facilitate access to healthy food and stable housing for residents of the Twin Cities. Eligible organizations may receive up to $5,000 for hosting events that align with these objectives. The focus is on projects that offer basic needs services, promote agricultural education, and encourage community engagement. Grant renewed every year. Annual Fall opening/ closing deadline: October 1st to November 30th.

This funding opportunity supports community-driven projects that enhance public spaces and amenities in Hastings, encouraging local partnerships and civic engagement.

The National Association for Latino Community Asset Builders (NALCAB), with generous support from the Wells Fargo Foundation, is offering capacity building grants of $30,000 and customized technical assistance to 10 organizations. This program prioritizes organizations located in Wells Fargo’s priority geographic markets. The primary purpose of this award is to support a nationwide network of Latino- and immigrant-serving organizations to advance culturally relevant approaches to family financial health in low- and moderate-income Latino and immigrant communities. This aligns with the foundation's mission by strengthening the delivery of financial capability services within these communities. The target beneficiaries of this program are Latino- and immigrant-serving organizations, and ultimately, low- and moderate-income Latino and immigrant communities. The program aims to achieve several impact goals, including integrating culturally relevant financial curricula into asset-building programs like homeownership and small business development services, intentionally utilizing financial coaching to prepare participants to access capital for asset-building activities, and improving organizational capacity to track and report financial health outcomes. The program focuses on several key priorities to achieve its goals. These include integrating culturally relevant financial curricula, utilizing financial coaching, improving organizational capacity to track and report financial health outcomes, and prioritizing access to innovative financial products. The financial health outcomes specifically target improving credit, increasing savings, increasing income, and reducing debt. Innovative financial products are also prioritized to boost family financial wellness, with a focus on increasing savings, decreasing debt, or building or establishing credit. Expected outcomes and measurable results include meaningful and measurable impact and change for Latino and immigrant financial health. This will be demonstrated through a comprehensive and specific strategy. The program also expects to strengthen the delivery of financial capability services through grantmaking, technical assistance, and training. The grant period is from October 1, 2024, to June 30, 2025. Eligible applicants are 501(c)(3) nonprofits that integrate, or plan to integrate, culturally relevant financial capability services into existing asset-building programs.

Healthy Living Grant Program – Minnesota supports communities in building social connections through healthy eating, physical activity, mental health awareness, and community building. The purpose of the grant is to increase well-being through community-driven action, with a $1,000 grant award limit per applicant and activity or program. Eligible activities include new programs or initiatives that support physical or mental well-being and social connections, and are inclusive for all members of the community. Examples of eligible uses for grant funds include promotional materials, healthy foods at wellness activities, mental health support groups, meditation classes, exercise equipment for public use, gardening materials, tobacco cessation groups, and space rental and event materials.

This program provides funding to municipalities and waste management facilities in Minnesota to identify and reduce harmful PFAS pollution, particularly benefiting underserved communities.

This program provides flexible funding to individuals and organizations in Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, and 23 Native nations to develop and implement innovative ideas that drive positive change in their communities.

This funding opportunity is designed to support organizations in Beltrami County that provide housing solutions, including construction, rehabilitation, and supportive services, to improve the availability and affordability of safe housing for low to moderate-income families and individuals.

This program provides financial assistance for commercial construction projects in designated areas of the Greater Mankato region to stimulate economic growth and revitalization.

This funding opportunity supports community-based projects in Hubbard County that aim to create lasting positive impacts for local residents through public service initiatives.

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 Minnesota communities in preventing youth substance use by implementing a proven prevention framework and fostering local coalitions to address risk factors.

The Office of Adult Career Pathways, within the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development, is calling for applications from eligible Minnesota community-based organizations. The purpose is to enhance their capacity to provide workforce services and training to historically underserved communities of color or low-income communities. The grant aims to address the needs of areas with historical high unemployment rates, low academic achievement, and median income below the family sustainable wage. Eligible use of funds includes covering the costs of workforce program delivery staff, infrastructure, and the development of service models. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis until all funds are allocated, with no more than $4,750,000 to be awarded before July 1, 2024.