Best Grants for Native Americans in Minnesota

Recognized educational institutions and 501(c)(3) nonprofits in Minnesota can apply for Minnesota Indian Affairs Council’s Dakota and Ojibwe Language Revitalization Grant, awarding US $50,000 - US $62,100 for one-year projects. With a mission to sustain Dakota and Ojibwe as vibrant living languages, it supports Native American language education, immersion, and cultural preservation efforts.

Bush Foundation provides Minnesota Native American leaders and other residents with up to US $150,000 over two years to deepen their leadership capacity, knowledge, and networks for community change. Individuals age 24+ living in Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, or eligible Native nations for one year may apply for this flexible fellowship.

Native-led 501(c)(3) nonprofits, fiscally sponsored groups, and tribal programs serving Native communities in Minnesota can seek unrestricted funding for community leadership, healing, cultural revitalization, and capacity building. Grants from Good Relatives Collaborative help organizations with budgets under $2.5 million access US $50,000 - US $100,000 to support community-powered solutions across the region.

Native-led 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(4) organizations in Minnesota with a strong record of community problem-solving can receive flexible general operating support for innovative, community-powered solutions. Good Relatives Collaborative’s Bush Prize: Native Nations offers up to US $250,000 to Native organizations that are community-valued and based in Native Nations or nearby states, including Minnesota.

Arts and culture organizations and individual artists in Minnesota can receive flexible support for urgent needs or sudden creative opportunities, including online, in-person, or hybrid projects. East Central Regional Arts Council’s Resiliency Grant offers up to US $600 for equipment replacement, emergency travel, time-sensitive collaborations, pop-up exhibitions, and cultural gatherings that may benefit Native communities.

Nonprofit or community-based organizations in Minnesota working to reduce sleep-related infant deaths among American Indian and Black/African American families can receive US $134,000 to lead this initiative. Minnesota Department of Health provides Minnesota Native American services with funding to create and support Community Action Teams implementing culturally appropriate, data-driven safe sleep solutions aligned with American Academy of Pediatrics guidance.

Native American artists in Minnesota working in traditional cultural art forms can access funding, residency support, and collections research through the Minnesota Historical Society’s Native American Artist-in-Residence Program. Eligible artists receive financial support, access to MNHS collections, travel stipends, and backing for community-based projects that preserve and revitalize intergenerational cultural knowledge.

Native American and Indigenous-affiliated undergraduate students and community scholars in Minnesota can access this ten-week paid museum fellowship for seminars and hands-on internships. Grants from Minnesota Historical Society help participants explore museum careers, public history, and tribal historic preservation while receiving living and travel stipends to reduce financial barriers during the program.

Minnesota organizations serving non-native English-speaking communities with conservation education and outreach can access funding through the Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources. Grants of US $10,000 - US $45,000 support linguistically and culturally relevant programs that promote environmental stewardship, including administration, education, project development, and outreach-focused supplies, which may benefit Native American communities in Minnesota.

Minnesota nonprofits, local governments, higher education institutions, and Indian Tribes can access funding through Serve Minnesota to host AmeriCorps members in evidence-based service programs. Projects that serve Native American communities in Minnesota, address youth mental health or substance use, support veterans, promote environmental stewardship, or strengthen civic engagement may be especially competitive.

With a mission to support Native language instruction, Minnesota Department of Education provides Minnesota school districts, charter schools, and Tribal contract schools with funding to revitalize Dakota, Anishinaabe, or other Indigenous U.S. or Canadian languages. This grant can help Native-serving education programs in Minnesota expand culturally grounded language teaching and preservation efforts.

Nonprofits and community organizations supporting Native American services, culture, education, health, or environmental protection in Minnesota and across the U.S. can seek funding for programs aiding people in need. Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation’s Community Fund prioritizes initiatives in Native arts and culture, Indigenous health, and the advancement of Native rights and Tribal sovereignty.

With a mission to support rural prosperity, Blandin Foundation provides Minnesota 501(c)(3) organizations, Tribal governments, and public agencies with US $25,000 - US $150,000 for community wealth-building projects. Native Nations and rural communities in and around Itasca County can fund affordable housing, community-based economic development, workforce pathways, and equitable access to capital, especially for Native and other marginalized residents.

Native-led organizations and community initiatives in Minnesota and beyond can access funding to strengthen indigenous nations through language revitalization, safety for women, girls, and Two-Spirit people, innovative community leadership, and COVID-19-related food and essential needs. Grants from Vadon Foundation help Native American services and cultural programs, including 501(c)(3)s and tribal or governmental entities, pursue multi-generational change.

Minnesota Native American-serving governments and 501(c)(3) nonprofits working on legal and land rights issues can access funding through the Indian Land Tenure Foundation to advance tribal control of land assets. Projects may involve estate planning and probate reform, land policy development, landowner associations, or initiatives that improve the legal landscape for owning and managing Indian land.

Tribal, local, and state governments and 501(c)(3) nonprofits working to improve American Indian use and control of reservation lands can apply for Indian Land Tenure Foundation’s Economic Opportunity grants. Projects that help tribal communities in Minnesota and nationwide prioritize land acquisition strategies and expand direct owner management of Indian land may be eligible.

Native American individuals and small groups in Minnesota can receive up to US $5,000 for Native-led community-building projects, including youth activities, language revitalization, cultural practices, and grassroots organizing. Focused on Native American services and culture, Northland Foundation invites projects within its regional tribal lands and counties that strengthen community, visibility, and leadership.

American Indian and Alaska Native students in Minnesota pursuing certificate, undergraduate, or graduate study at accredited nonprofit U.S. colleges can receive scholarships of US $2,000 - US $3,000 for full-time enrollment. Grants from American Indian College Fund help Native students with at least a 2.0 GPA access merit-based support through a single annual application.

The American Indian College Fund offers scholarships to American Indian and Alaska Native students enrolled at Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUs). Applications open annually on February 1st, with a priority deadline of May 31st. Eligible students can apply for various merit-based scholarships, with awards averaging between $2,000 and $3,000. The College Fund encourages applications by the priority deadline for a better chance of funding.

The American Indian College Fund Scholarship supports high school students who are enrolled members of federally recognized tribes, or their descendants, pursuing higher education. Applications open annually on February 1st, with a priority deadline of May 31st. This merit-based scholarship provides an opportunity for students to receive awards averaging between $2,000 and $3,000 to help fund their college education. Eligible students should apply during their last semester of high school.

The Siletz Tribal Charitable Contribution Fund, established by the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians, has distributed over $16.3 million in grants since 1999. It supports charitable organizations and local governments in eleven Oregon counties, as well as Native American initiatives across the U.S. The fund prioritizes education, health, public safety, addiction prevention, housing, arts, and environmental preservation, ensuring the Tribe's commitment to community support and cultural heritage.

The David Moses Bridges Scholarship honors the legacy of a renowned Passamaquoddy artist and activist, providing essential support for individuals dedicated to the preservation of Wabanaki culture, traditional arts, and environmental stewardship. This scholarship aims to foster connections between master artists and apprentices, promote research on David's impactful life and work, and protect culturally significant natural spaces. It empowers artists and scholars to continue the vital work of preserving indigenous knowledge and practices for future generations.

Minnesota Tribal governments, Tribal colleges, Tribal health programs, and Tribal organizations conducting Native American health research can access funding through the National Institutes of Health’s Native American Research Centers for Health program. Support covers health-related research projects, research career development, and research infrastructure for federally recognized American Indian and Alaska Native communities across the U.S.

The Tribal Wildlife Grants (TWG) program, offered by the US Department of the Interior's Fish and Wildlife Service, provides vital technical and financial assistance to federally recognized Tribes. This funding supports various conservation activities, including habitat protection, species monitoring, and wildlife management, helping to preserve both culturally significant species and ecosystems. TWG grants empower Tribes to implement their conservation priorities effectively and sustainably.

The NATIVE Act Tribal Tourism Cooperative Agreement aims to enhance cultural heritage tourism through collaboration with Tribes, Tribal organizations, and Native Hawaiian organizations. By providing technical assistance and capacity-building support, this initiative seeks to increase visitation and enrich tourism activities while respecting native traditions and values. The selected recipient will coordinate with federal agencies to ensure effective implementation, with funding available for an initial year and potential continuation for up to five years based on performance.

The Udall Undergraduate Scholarship, awarded by the Morris K. Udall and Stewart L. Udall Foundation, supports future leaders in environmental, tribal public policy, and health care fields. With 55 scholarships of $7,000 each expected in 2025, this highly competitive program requires students to participate in their schools' internal competitions. Scholars benefit from networking opportunities and access to the Udall Alumni Network, fostering collaboration and growth in their respective fields.

The Kalliopeia Foundation Grant focuses on supporting projects that foster cultural and ecological renewal through a deep reverence for the Earth. By prioritizing US-based organizations that demonstrate strong community relationships and intergenerational leadership, the foundation seeks to empower marginalized voices and traditional practices. With an emphasis on land care and Indigenous leadership, Kalliopeia aims to cultivate a resilient future where diverse ways of knowing and being thrive harmoniously with nature.