Best Freeborn County Grants for Nonprofits in Minnesota

Building resilient rural communities.

Supporting communities across southern Minnesota and northern Iowa.

The mission of the Taylor Family Farms Foundation is to collaborate with knowledgeable and trusted philanthropic partners to build resilient rural communities.

We believe that strong partnerships and local insight are essential to creating lasting impact. By working alongside experienced organizations, we ensure resources are directed where they are needed most.

Fall 2026 Grant Cycle Details

Grant Guidelines and Eligibility

Reliable emergency services are essential to every community. In rural areas, those services are often provided by volunteers who step forward when their neighbors need them most.

The Taylor Family Farms Foundation is now accepting grant applications from emergency services providers serving rural communities.

Eligible applicants include non-profit organizations, schools, and municipalities that are eligible to receive funding from a public foundation.

Farmers markets in Freeborn County, Minnesota that meet eligibility criteria can seek funding to enhance services for consumers and vendors. Focused on food access and healthy eating, Compeer Financial invites markets to apply for up to US $1,000 to support marketing, technology upgrades, safety improvements, staff or vendor training, or research projects.

Eligible 501(c)(3) nonprofits, public institutions, and government units in Freeborn County, Minnesota can apply for Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation’s Taylor Rural Improvements Grant, offering up to US $30,000 for capital projects. Funding supports essential services like food access, transportation, shelter, clothing, or internet accessibility in small communities under 10,000 residents within SMIF’s 20-county region.

Communities under 10,000 residents in Freeborn County, Minnesota can receive paint to create community murals, welcome signs, or restore historic structures. Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation’s Paint the Town Grants cover paint costs (up to 100 gallons considered) for highly visible, volunteer-driven projects that enhance public spaces; a 501(c)(3) or government fiscal agent is required for eligible privately owned sites.

With a mission to enhance Minnesotans’ quality of life, Minnesota Department of Agriculture provides Freeborn County agriculture and community development organizations with funding to advance urban agriculture and youth agricultural education. For-profit businesses, nonprofits, schools, local governments, and tribal communities can request US $5,000 - US $75,000 for equipment, facilities, staff time, transportation, and related project costs.

Focused on early literacy, Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation invites Freeborn County, Minnesota organizations serving children from birth to age eight to apply for book grants that support school readiness. Eligible groups working with young children can receive books to give to families to keep and read at home, strengthening early childhood development.

The Small Town Grants Program, offered by the Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation, aids communities with populations of 10,000 or less by providing grants up to $10,000. This initiative encourages projects that enhance the quality of life and foster community engagement. Eligible projects must be innovative, and a 25% cash match is required. Excluded from funding are for-profit entities and general operating expenses, ensuring that resources directly benefit community growth.

Spectrum Digital Education Grants support nonprofit organizations in educating communities about broadband benefits and usage. These grants aim to bridge the digital divide, particularly for seniors and those with disabilities or ethnically diverse backgrounds. Applicants must demonstrate community partnership, address specific needs, and provide measurable impact metrics. With a focus on financial feasibility and meaningful outcomes, this initiative ensures that underrepresented urban and rural communities gain access to essential digital resources, fostering long-term improvement in their lives.

The RCU Foundation Grant supports capital projects in the arts, education, and health sectors, having awarded over $10 million since 2012. Prioritizing community benefit and sustainability, it evaluates requests based on demonstrated need and organizational capacity. The foundation focuses on areas served by Royal, ensuring a significant impact on local communities in Western Wisconsin and Eastern Minnesota. It does not fund direct grants to individuals or certain operational expenses, encouraging diverse financial support for projects.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations providing housing, homelessness prevention, or emergency support services in Freeborn County, Minnesota can seek funding to assist homeless individuals, children, and families. With a mission to support and improve the lives of those experiencing homelessness, Edina Realty Foundation backs programs such as housing and shelter, education, emergency services, and financial assistance across Minnesota and western Wisconsin.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations, government units, and public institutions in Freeborn County, Minnesota can apply for Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation’s Economic Development Grants, with awards up to US $10,000, to strengthen local business activity. Funding supports programs that help people start or expand small businesses, foster innovation, job creation, and broader access to opportunity, especially in smaller communities.

The County Fair Facility Upgrade Grant Program aims to support rural communities within Compeer Financial’s territory by providing funding for upgrades and repairs to county fair facilities. Eligible organizations can receive up to $4,000 to enhance livestock buildings, 4-H buildings, and judging arenas. This initiative not only improves facilities but also fosters community engagement and agricultural education, ensuring that fairs continue to thrive in delivering memorable experiences for all ages.

Nonprofit and community organizations providing books to children from birth to age eight in Freeborn County, Minnesota can receive in-kind early literacy support to enhance school readiness. Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation’s Early Literacy Grants supply books for families to keep and read at home, with pickup in June in Owatonna.

Greater Minnesota Housing Infrastructure Grant Program

Grant funds can be used to cover up to 50% of capital costs of physical public infrastructure necessary to support a qualifying housing development. This may include sewers, water supply systems, utility extensions, streets and more, necessary to support single-family, multifamily, homeownership and rental housing development.

Grants are generally limited to:

• $40,000 per lot for one to four units
• $180,000 per lot for multifamily housing (five or more units/building)
• $60,000 per manufactured housing lot
• No more than $500,000 to any grantee or project over a two year period.

Applicants’ matching funds may include in-kind contributions, such as donation of land.

Greater Minnesota Public Infrastructure

The Greater Minnesota Business Development Infrastructure Grant Program helps stimulate new economic development, create new jobs and retains existing jobs through investments in public infrastructure.

It provides grants to cities of up to 50% of the capital costs of the public infrastructure necessary to expand or retain jobs in the area, increase the tax base, or expand or create new economic development.

Award Amounts

Applicants wills be awarded 50% of eligible, capital costs for eligible projects, pending availability of funds. Applicants may receive no more than $2,000,000 in two years for one or more projects. If after five years the project has not proceeded in a timely manner and is unlikely to be completed, the grant will be cancelled and grant money awarded to the city must be returned.

The Community Responsive Grants, offered by the Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation (SMIF) in partnership with the Otto Bremer Trust, aim to support organizations addressing critical community needs in south central and southeastern Minnesota. Grants of up to $75,000 will be awarded to eligible nonprofits focusing on areas such as literacy, children's health, and mental health. Applicants must have a 501(c)(3) designation and a proven operational history of at least five years.

Freeborn County, Minnesota health and community organizations can access funding through the Minnesota Department of Health to design and run innovative HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) programs for rural residents at highest risk. Grants of US $180,000 - US $200,000 support HIV screening, PrEP referrals and prescriptions, and reducing HIV risk behaviors in rural communities.

The Union Home Foundation Grant provides financial support to nonprofit organizations that promote economic self-sufficiency through financial literacy and housing initiatives. Established in 2015, this grant has awarded over $2 million to various nonprofits across the U.S. Grants typically start at $1,000 and are available for a one-year period. Organizations must be 501(c)(3) tax-exempt and can only apply once per year, following specific eligibility criteria.

RBC Foundation – USA provides Freeborn County, Minnesota 501(c)(3) nonprofits with funding for workforce preparation, youth development, arts access, and related community programs. Eligible organizations have at least three years of public charity status, a $100,000+ annual budget, and operate in a community where RBC Wealth Management has a business presence.

Southeastern Minnesota artists working in dance, literary arts, music, theatre, or visual arts who reside in Freeborn County, Minnesota can receive funding to create and publicly showcase original work. SEMAC provides US $3,000 - US $6,000 Individual Artist Advancing Artist Grants supporting capstone events such as publications, performances, or exhibitions at accessible nonprofit or approved venues.

Focused on rural arts projects, Southeastern Minnesota Arts Council invites Freeborn County, Minnesota nonprofits and individual artists to apply for funding up to US $8,000. Eligible projects bring accessible arts experiences to rural communities under 7,500 people and must include a local community partner, active community engagement, and a public event.

The Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation (SMIF) is offering the Promise Act Grant, providing $1.1 million to support small businesses in south central and southeastern Minnesota. Grants ranging from $10,000 to $50,000 will help businesses facing economic challenges such as lack of access to capital or population decline. This program aims to stimulate regional economic recovery and diversification, funded by a one-time allocation from the Minnesota Legislature.

Freeborn County, Minnesota health and rural care nonprofits, public agencies, and Tribal Nations can access funding through the Medica Foundation to advance health equity in rural communities. Grants up to US $20,000 over two years support priorities like dental, maternal, mental and chemical health, primary and sexual care for underserved groups, and services helping seniors remain independent.

High school agriculture departments needing classroom equipment or program support in Freeborn County, Minnesota can apply for grants up to US $4,000. Compeer Financial supports agricultural education with funding for hands-on learning and modern technologies, and eligible schools in its 144-county territory may receive full or partial awards to be used within the calendar year.

Nonprofit, non-federal rural hospitals in Freeborn County, Minnesota can seek capital funding to update, remodel, or replace aging facilities and equipment, with awards ranging from US $45,000 - US $125,000. Grants from the Minnesota Department of Health help preserve and improve access to hospital services for rural Minnesota communities and require a 25% non-state match.

The Bayer Fund: Food & Nutrition Grant supports high-quality programs that combat malnutrition and improve access to nutritious foods, particularly for underserved communities and families with young children. Eligible organizations include 501(c)(3) nonprofits and government units. The fund prioritizes long-term behavioral change towards healthy eating and nutrition, with grants typically not exceeding 25% of an organization's operating budget. International requests start at $25,000, fostering sustainable food security and education initiatives.

The Southeastern Minnesota Arts Council (SEMAC) provides project support grants for individual artists and culture bearers in its 11-county region. These grants, ranging from $2,000 to $6,000, aim to foster creativity and public engagement through various artistic disciplines. Eligible applicants must be at least 18 years old, U.S. citizens, and reside in the SEMAC region. The program encourages innovative projects that involve the community, ensuring accessibility and meaningful interaction with the public.