Best Cook County Grants for Nonprofits in Minnesota

William L. & Mary Ann Brown STEM Endowment Scholarship Program

The William L. & Mary Ann Brown STEM Endowed Scholarship Program was established by William L. and Mary Ann Brown to provide need-based scholarship support to seniors graduating from a high school in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, enrolled at a UNCF member institution, four-year HBCUs, and four-year institutions.

Successful applicants must be graduating high school seniors entering their first year of college, pursuing a STEM degree, including, but not limited to, fields in physical sciences, mathematics, the biological sciences, the chemical sciences, computer sciences, and engineering. Applicants must be enrolled or planning to enroll as a full-time student.

Improving Metastatic Prostate Cancer (mPCa) Care Through Innovative Strategies

The National Comprehensive Cancer Network® and Pfizer Global Medical Grants (Pfizer) are collaborating to offer a new grant opportunity seeking proposals for investigator-initiated research to improve mPCa care. Pfizer (hereafter, “Grantor”) is providing $1 Million in funding to support quality improvement studies to advance health care quality, the delivery of quality care, and improve health care provider performance in mPCa care. The Grantor will serve as the funding organization. Grants are available to all investigators from institutions within the United States. 

Aim

To promote the advancement of scientific knowledge, health care provider performance, and/or health care quality improvement focused on improving mPCa care.

A total of $1 Million is available to fund all projects. The intent is to fund 2-5 studies. There is a funding cap of $250,000 per study. Exceptional studies with budgets above this amount will be considered based on scientific merit and must contain a robust justification. All budgets must include line-item information and robust justification.

Implementing Germline and Somatic Testing for Precision Medicine in Community-Based Prostate Cancer Care 

The intent of this Request for Proposal (RFP) is to invite organizations to submit applications to host a 2.5-to-3 hour medical education program at or nearby the organization, to be led by 1-2 Visiting Professors (VPs) with expertise matched to the organization’s unmet educational and pragmatic needs related to integrating and acting on germline and somatic (tumor and/or ctDNA) testing for patients with prostate cancer. Following the education program, organizations will implement their action plan to incorporate, increase, or improve the use of guideline-concordant germline and somatic testing to improve prostate cancer patient care.

The total budget for the RFP is $250,000 USD, with plans to support 5-7 organizations. Individual project budgets should not exceed $50,000 USD.

About Us

The Community Foundation of Dickinson County, Inc. was established in 1999 by a group of civic-minded individuals who cherished their community and wanted to ensure future generations experience the same quality of living they had received in Dickinson County. These visionaries secured the future of the Foundation by establishing an Endowed Founder’s Fund.  

Woodrow and Esther Tyrell Technical Scholarship - (Up to 5) $10,000

The Woodrow and Esther Tyrell Technical Scholarship honors the legacy of Benjamin Woodrow Tyrell and Esther Tyrell, whose lives reflected a strong commitment to hard work, service, and education. Born in Talmage, Kansas, Woodrow Tyrell served in World War II before returning to Dickinson County, where he worked for 33 years at the Abilene Flour Mill. Esther Tyrell, originally from Longford, Kansas, dedicated her career to education in Dickinson County. Married in 1952, the Tyrells believed deeply in the value of education and skills-based training. 

About Us

The Community Foundation of Dickinson County, Inc. was established in 1999 by a group of civic-minded individuals who cherished their community and wanted to ensure future generations experience the same quality of living they had received in Dickinson County. These visionaries secured the future of the Foundation by establishing an Endowed Founder’s Fund.

Woodrow and Esther Tyrell Scholarship - (2 or more) $20,000

The Woodrow and Esther Tyrell Scholarship honors the lives and legacy of Benjamin Woodrow Tyrell and Esther Tyrell, whose commitment to hard work, service, and education continues to benefit students in Dickinson County. Born in Talmage, Kansas, Woodrow Tyrell served in World War II before returning home to work at the Abilene Flour Mill for 33 years. Esther Tyrell, originally from Longford, Kansas, was a longtime educator in Dickinson County. Married in 1952, the Tyrells shared a strong belief in the importance of education. Through their generous endowment at the Community Foundation of Dickinson County, their legacy continues to support students and foster brighter futures through educational opportunity.

Evidence Based Safety Contextualization of JAK inhibitors in the Treatment of Moderate to Severe Atopic Dermatitis

Primary Area of Interest:

Dermatology – Atopic Dermatitis

General Area of Interest for this RFP:

Potential applicants should describe their initiative to synthesize the existing medical literature on the safety data available for JAKis indicated for the treatment of M2S AD and distill it into a concise, practical communication for the community of providers who treat AD. The educational initiative should be based on the body of scientific evidence available in the literature including the following, but not limited to:

• Retrospective, cohort analyses evaluating the background risk of adverse events of special interest (infections, cardiovascular events, malignancies etc.) in patients diagnosed with M2S AD.
• Clinical trial safety data for use of JAKis for the treatment of M2S AD, including assessments of subpopulations (i.e. adolescents, elderly; cardiovascular risk factors etc.).
• Observational analyses, network meta-analyses, or other safety analyses, including comparative safety analyses and/or real-world assessments to examine the rate of adverse events of special interest in patients receiving JAKis for treatment of AD.

Funding Range and Project Length

Individual projects requesting up to $75,000 USD will be considered. Maximum project length is 1 year.

The Judith Heavenrich Memorial Scholarship, established in memory of Judith Heavenrich, aims to support single, low-income mothers in Saginaw County as they pursue higher education or vocational training. Judith, a lifelong advocate for education and environmental issues, faced numerous challenges in her life but remained dedicated to her community. This scholarship reflects her spirit and commitment to empowering women to achieve their educational goals, with awards typically ranging from $500 to $4,000.

Lead Safe Home Grants Program

The Lead Safe Home Grants program will make homes safer through lead testing and hazard reduction.

Available for nonprofits and local governments, the program:

• Allows funding to be used for risk assessment and remediation of lead hazards
• Prioritizes areas with a high concentration of children with lead poisoning
• Requires 50% of units in multifamily properties to be occupied by renters at or below 60% area median income
• Allows up to 10% of award to be used for administration, education and outreach about lead hazards

The $4 million one-time appropriation and this program are known as the Dustin Luke Shields Act.

Jack Beaty Educational Scholarship Foundation Grant

Jack Beaty was a pillar of the community he lived in and loved. He was a successful businessman from an early age having founded two companies. One company supplied food to retail stores throughout New Mexico, where Jack became friends with all his customers and fell in love with the state. He founded an oil and gas company in Farmington, New Mexico as well.

Jack eventually became involved in politics in New Mexico where he served as the Bernalillo County Democratic Chairman and the New Mexico State Democratic Chairman. During the 1960 Presidential campaign, Jack became friends with John F. Kennedy and Robert Kennedy. Jack served as the Western States coordinator for the Kennedy campaign. After the 1960 election, Jack sold his food supply business and moved to Washington, D.C. Jack served in both the Kennedy and Johnson Administrations. Following this service, Jack formed the public relations firm Jack Beaty and Associates in Washington, D.C.

While in Washington, D.C., Jack met and married Rose Marie Beaty Martinez, the personal assistant to Senator Joseph M. Montoya, the United States Senator from Mexico. Jack and Rose Marie retired to New Mexico in 1979 where Jack devoted his time to managing Western Minerals and Oil. Jack desired that upon his and Rose Marie’s death that his estate be used to assist and provide access to education to less fortunate students in New Mexico.

In his estate plan, Jack desired that the Jack Beaty Educational Scholarship Foundation be established to carry out his charitable goal of assisting students to obtain a secondary education.

The Holland Scholarship, established in honor of Merle Holland Leis Frenzel, aims to support aspiring music students from Saginaw County. Funded by her friends and former students, this scholarship encourages recipients to pursue their musical dreams while honoring the support of her parents, Norton and Virginia Holland. Eligible applicants must maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA, be seniors at Saginaw County public high schools, and be involved in music programs. Awards typically range from $500 to $4,000.

About Us

Our mission is to strengthen our community through philanthropy.

We do this in collaboration with donors and community partners who share our vision for community transformation through stewardship of charitable endowments, superior donor services, effective grantmaking, and leadership to address community needs.

The Community Foundation is governed by a Board of Directors and staffed by a team of local experts, representing diverse backgrounds, interests, and professional expertise. Foundation staff members work closely with donors, grantees, community leaders, government agencies, and businesses to ensure the Community Foundation effectively meets community needs.

Who We Are

Empowering generous people with meaningful giving opportunities

Since 1968, The Community Foundation for the Greater Capital Region (CFGCR) has been dedicated to improving the quality of life in the Greater Capital Region. We work with — and for — all our neighbors across the community because together, we are stronger.

Herbert K. and Isabel C. Liebich Scholarships

Established to honor the founders of Albany Frosted Foods, one of the original companies to form Sysco Corporation, by awarding a scholarship each year to the children of employees or retirees of Sysco Foods of New York, Inc. 

The Hebert Memorial Scholarship, established by Jacquelyn and Donald Hebert, aims to support Saginaw County residents pursuing higher education. With a minimum GPA requirement of 3.0, this scholarship is available to graduating high school seniors and current college students enrolled full-time. The Heberts, who valued education and community service, created this fund to help students achieve their academic goals, reflecting their commitment to enhancing the lives of local youth.

The Guadalupe “Lupe” Gomez Memorial Scholarship, established by Lupe's family after her passing in 2009, honors her legacy of dedication and service in education and the community. This scholarship supports students from Saginaw County who demonstrate hard work and self-motivation, particularly those pursuing Career and Technical Education (CTE) or other degrees. With awards ranging from $500 to $4,000, it aims to empower the next generation of skilled workers in various trades.

About OJP

The Office of Justice Programs provides leadership and resources to reduce crime, improve the functioning of the criminal justice system and assist crime victims.

2027 Crime Victim Statewide Coalition Programs

Request for proposals (RFP)

The purpose of this Request for Proposals (RFP) is to solicit applications for funding for statewide crime victim coalition programs that work to increase the capacity of direct service providers to promote and provide high quality crime victim services in Minnesota. Funded grantees are expected to meet the activities in the Statewide Crime Victim Coalition Program Standards under which they are funded.

Crisis Response Grant Program

The Crisis Response Grant Program funds local law enforcement agencies and local units of government to maintain or expand crisis response teams in which social workers or mental health providers are sent as first responders when calls for service indicate that an individual is having a mental health crisis.

RFP Part 1: Overview

Program Description

The purpose of this request for proposal is to fund local law enforcement agencies and local governments to start, maintain, or expand crisis response teams in which social workers or mental health professionals serve as first responders when calls for service involve an individual in crisis. Funding may support a range of models including Crisis Intervention Teams (CIT), mobile crisis teams, co-responder models, alternative response teams (ART), and other social worker/mental health-led response approaches that improve safety, reduce unnecessary justice system involvement, and connect individuals to appropriate care.

About OJP

The Office of Justice Programs provides leadership and resources to reduce crime, improve the functioning of the criminal justice system and assist crime victims.

Minnesota Crime Victims Reimbursement Program

If you or someone you know has been the victim of a violent crime, the Minnesota Crime Victims Reimbursement Program may be able to help. The reimbursement program provides financial help to victims and their families for losses incurred as a result of the crime.

History

The Minnesota Crime Victims Reimbursement Board, formerly called the Minnesota Crime Victims Reparations Board, is a state program that was established by the Legislature in 1974 to help victims with their financial losses and aid in their recovery from a violent crime.

Our mission is to reduce the economic impact of violent crime on victims and their families by providing direct financial assistance; and to hold criminal offenders accountable for the costs of crime through improved collection of restitution and civil awards.

The Minnesota Crime Victims Reparations Program was renamed the Minnesota Crime Victims Reimbursement Program in 2023.

About OJP

The Office of Justice Programs provides leadership and resources to reduce crime, improve the functioning of the criminal justice system and assist crime victims.

Community Crime Intervention and Prevention Grant Program

Description of the program

Community Crime Intervention and Prevention (CCIP) funds community-based crime and violence prevention and intervention programs that provide direct services to community members.

This grant program funds a wide variety of community-based programs to address the factors that contribute to a community’s crime, delinquency, and disorder. Funded program focuses have included:

• Youth-focused
• Elder-focused
• Education
• Internship/Employment services
• Shelter services
• Housing
• Gun violence intervention
• Street outreach
• Truancy Intervention
• Probation services
• Legal services
• Advocacy
• Advocacy services
• Sexual exploitation
• Restorative practices
• Prevention
• Intervention

All programs are encouraged to be innovative, use best and emerging practices, and include substantial involvement by members of the community that is served by the program.

MN Community Justice Reinvestment Grant Program

In 2016, the Minnesota legislature established the Community Justice Reinvestment Account to provide supportive services to justice-impacted individuals to reduce further involvement in the criminal justice system. This Account is used to create the Community Justice Reinvestment Grant program, which most recently distributed $1,017,474.54 in 2024 to fund:

• Chemical dependency and mental health treatment programs,
• Programs that improve supervision,
• Pretrial and precharge supervision programs,
• Programs to reduce recidivism of controlled substances offenders on probation or supervised release or participating in drug courts,
• Support local participation in drug court initiatives approved by the Judicial Council.

MN Workforce Development Grants

Workforce Development grants assist with education, training and career awareness initiatives that address regional workforce needs and gaps emerging in industries and schools.  

Funding Availability

• Funded at $700,000 for Fiscal Year 2026 from the Board Account.
• The number of grants awarded is variable and dependent upon the amounts awarded to successful applicants.
• 1:1 match per project required.
• Up to one-half of the applicant match may include financial support from a business/industry partner including trainee stipends or wages paid by the business/industry partner. All business match items must be documented as specific support for the project, and not as a general, regular donation made to the institution or organization.
• Project must begin within nine months of a grant award.

Minnesota Department of Transportation

In creating the Department of Transportation in 1976, the Legislature determined that MnDOT would be the principal agency to develop, implement, administer, consolidate and coordinate state transportation policies, plans and programs (Minn. Stat. Ch. 174).

MnDOT makes special efforts to consider the social, economic and environmental effects of its decisions and aggressively promotes the efficient use of energy resources for transportation purposes. It also maintains close working relationships with the many public and private individuals, groups and associations involved in transportation.

Safe Routes to School (SRTS) District Coordinator Grants 

We support coordinator positions in individual schools or districts. Coordinators will help communities with existing SRTS plans or other comprehensive approaches to promote non-infrastructure projects to keep students walking and bicycling to school.

Funding for the coordinators to support three full school years starts in the summer of 2024 and goes through June 2027.

Minnesota Department of Transportation

In creating the Department of Transportation in 1976, the Legislature determined that MnDOT would be the principal agency to develop, implement, administer, consolidate and coordinate state transportation policies, plans and programs (Minn. Stat. Ch. 174).

MnDOT makes special efforts to consider the social, economic and environmental effects of its decisions and aggressively promotes the efficient use of energy resources for transportation purposes. It also maintains close working relationships with the many public and private individuals, groups and associations involved in transportation.

Greater Minnesota Transportation Alternatives Solicitation

The Transportation Alternatives Solicitation is a competitive grant opportunity for local communities and regional agencies to fund projects for pedestrian and bicycle facilities, historic preservation, Safe Routes to School and more. Minnesota will be soliciting projects for approximately $12.5 million in available grant funding across the state where the total is sub-targeted to the seven area transportation partnerships (ATPs).

Greater Minnesota applicants must submit a letter of intent describing the key components of their project. A regional representative will contact applicants to help review the project proposal and the steps necessary for delivering a federally funded project prior to local communities and regional agencies submitting a full grant application. 

Minnesota Pollution Control Agency

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) is committed to ensuring that every Minnesotan has healthy air, sustainable lands, clean water, and a better climate.

Through the authority of state and federal statutes and guidelines, the MPCA focuses on preventing and reducing the pollution of air, land, and water, and leads Minnesota’s efforts to protect against the devastating effects of climate change. We work with regulated parties, businesses, governments, organizations, and 11 Tribal Nations in Minnesota to develop innovative, community-centered approaches that protect our natural resources, improve human health, and foster strong economic growth.

Minnesota GreenCorps

Serving communities for a greener tomorrow

The Minnesota GreenCorps program, coordinated by the MPCA, aims to preserve and protect Minnesota’s environment while training a new generation of environmental professionals.

Each year, the program places AmeriCorps members with host site organizations around the state to build community resilience by:

• reducing air pollutants and improving air quality
• reducing water runoff and improving water and land quality
• preventing waste and increasing recycling
• encouraging eco-friendly behavior

Minnesota GreenCorps members serve full-time at their host site for 11 months, from September to August each year. Members implement environmental projects to build community resilience in one of four topic areas: community readiness and outreach, energy conservation and green transportation, stormwater and forestry, waste reduction and recycling. Sample projects include activities such as coordinating multi-modal transportation events, educating community members and youth, removing invasive species, installing rain gardens, benchmarking energy, conducting waste sorts, and more. 

Host Sites

As a host site, your organization can harness a member's energy and enthusiasm to move your environmental projects forward. Member projects must align with one of four topic areas: community readiness and outreach, energy conservation and green transportation, stormwater and forestry, or waste reduction and recycling. Host sites don't pay a fee to participate in the program but are expected to provide supervision, office space, internet and phone service, training, and any resources necessary for members to accomplish their projects. The MPCA manages the recruitment, application, and selection process for Minnesota GreenCorps members.

The NSF SBIR/STTR programs are launching a pilot emphasis on advancing scientific instrumentation and enabling technologies to drive innovation and economic growth in the U.S. This initiative supports startups and small businesses developing critical scientific equipment and platforms, with funding opportunities up to $2 million for R&D. By prioritizing next-generation instrumentation, NSF aims to enhance the scientific enterprise and foster breakthroughs essential for the future of AI-driven discoveries and broader scientific advancements.

RFP: Provide Consultation Services for the Community First Services and Supports Program

The Minnesota Department of Human Services, through its Disability Services Division (STATE), is seeking Proposals from qualified Responders to provide Consultation Services for the Community First Services and Supports (CFSS) program. The term of any resulting contract is anticipated to be for up to five (5) years. 

The STATE is responsible for administering long-term services and support for people with disabilities and older adults under publicly funded programs. The STATE’s mission is to help people meet their basic needs so they can live in dignity and achieve their highest potential. Currently, such services and support are being administered through Personal Care Assistance (PCA) and Consumer Support Grant programs.  

The PCA program supports people who need help with day-to-day activities by providing personal care assistants to help with activities of daily living, behavior issues or other health related tasks. Such services are available to people with physical disabilities, chronic health conditions, behavioral diagnoses, and mental health illnesses, and allows these individuals to be more independent in their home, place of employment and community. PCA services under Minnesota Health Care Programs (MHCP) are delivered through approximately 600 MHCP enrolled providers. 

RFP: Provide Children’s Mental Health Evidence-Based Practice Workforce Development and Implementation Support

The Minnesota Department of Human Services, through its Behavioral Health Administration (STATE), is seeking Proposals from qualified Responders to provide training, consultation, and implementation support related to a modular, evidence-informed treatment system (such as the Managing and Adapting Practice (MAP) system) or a demonstrably equivalent model for children’s mental health providers across Minnesota. Responders proposing a model other than MAP must clearly demonstrate how their approach is substantially equivalent in structure, function, and outcomes, including incorporation of modular practice elements, dashboards, database, clinical decision-support tools, and measurement based care, and must include published evidence or demonstrated implementation outcomes supporting effectiveness in children’s mental health. The selected responder will support mental health providers and treatment supervisors in developing skills to deliver evidence-based interventions for children and youth experiencing mental health conditions. Activities will focus on workforce development, implementation support, and quality improvement to increase the use of evidence-based mental health practices statewide. For purposes of this RFP, “Mental Health Providers (MHPs)” refers to Mental Health Professionals and Clinical Trainees as defined in Minnesota Statutes, 245I.04, subd. 2 (Mental Health Professional) and subd. 6 (Clinical Trainee). “Supervisor” refers to Treatment Supervision as defined in Minnesota Statutes, 245I.06. The term of any resulting contract is anticipated to be for two (2) years, from July 1, 2026 until June 30, 2028. The STATE may extend the contract up to a total of five (5) years. 

The Goodridge Brothers Scholarship, offered by the Saginaw Community Foundation, supports residents of Saginaw County pursuing careers in technical education, such as welding or auto mechanics. This initiative recognizes the growing demand for skilled tradespeople and aims to alleviate financial barriers for students. Scholarships typically range from $500 to $4,000, promoting educational opportunities in urban and regional planning and enhancing the community's workforce capabilities.

The Ken and Eileen Gross Memorial Scholarship, established by friends of the couple, supports Saginaw County high school seniors pursuing a teaching degree. With a focus on fostering education, this scholarship honors Ken, a dedicated educator, and Eileen, a successful property manager. Eligible students must demonstrate a minimum 3.0 GPA and financial need, ensuring that those committed to teaching can pursue their aspirations. Awards typically range from $500 to $4,000, empowering the next generation of educators.