Best Itasca County Grants for Nonprofits in Minnesota

The Alzheimer's Disease Programs Initiative (ADPI) aims to foster the development of dementia-capable community health worker programs within the National Aging Network. This initiative, supported by the US HHS: Administration for Community Living (ACL), seeks to enhance dementia screening, reduce barriers to care, and improve access to essential services for individuals with dementia and their caregivers. By integrating community health workers into aging services, the program aspires to elevate the quality of life for those affected.

The Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center on Recreational, Sport, and Exercise Technologies for People with Disabilities aims to enhance rehabilitation services through innovative technological solutions. This initiative focuses on promoting health and exercise among individuals with disabilities by addressing unique rehabilitation challenges. Funded by the US HHS Administration for Community Living, the project spans 60 months, involving advanced research and development to create effective support mechanisms and overcome environmental barriers.

The Field Initiated Projects Program aims to foster new research and develop solutions that enhance the inclusion and independence of individuals with disabilities. This initiative focuses on generating scientific knowledge and understanding critical issues faced by these populations, particularly those with significant support needs. With a total of 16 grants available over a 36-month period, this program encourages innovative approaches that support employment, living arrangements, and caregiver involvement.

The Rehabilitation Research and Training Center (RRTC) focuses on enhancing the lives of parents with disabilities through research, training, and technical assistance. This initiative aims to develop evidence-based services and supports that empower parents in their caregiving roles. Funded by the US HHS: Administration for Community Living (ACL), the project spans 60 months with a commitment to fostering inclusive environments for families. The RRTC will explore innovative interventions and technologies to better support these parents in their daily challenges.

The Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center aims to enhance services for individuals who are blind or have low vision through innovative technology development. This initiative focuses on overcoming rehabilitation challenges and environmental barriers, promoting independence and community living. A grant of five years will support ongoing research efforts, ensuring advancements in assistive technologies that empower the target population. The project aligns with the Rehabilitation Act's goals, emphasizing the importance of accessibility and inclusion.

The Center on Knowledge Translation for Disability and Rehabilitation Research (KTDRR Center) aims to enhance the use of relevant disability and rehabilitation research through effective knowledge translation. Serving as a key resource for NIDILRR grantees and the general public, the KTDRR Center's initiatives will support high-quality research dissemination. The project spans 60 months, including five 12-month budget periods, ensuring ongoing support for researchers and stakeholders in the field.

The Burn Injury Model System Centers aim to enhance burn rehabilitation through innovative research. These centers must create knowledge to improve the health, community engagement, and employment outcomes for individuals affected by burn injuries. Funded by US HHS's Administration for Community Living, grants support site-specific and collaborative research while contributing to a longitudinal database. Each grant has a maximum duration of 60 months, divided into five budget periods, ensuring comprehensive support for ongoing studies.

The Field Initiated Projects Program (Development) aims to enhance the inclusion and self-sufficiency of individuals with disabilities through innovative research and development. This program supports the creation of tools, methods, and systems that assist people with disabilities, particularly those with significant support needs. With 16 grants available, the initiative will span 36 months, focusing on impactful projects that foster independence, employment, and community integration.

The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) aims to enhance research on Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) through intermediate patient population expanded access protocols. These protocols will provide investigational drugs to ALS patients while collecting vital data to inform future treatments and care strategies. This initiative seeks to better understand the disease's biomarkers, patient experiences, and the overall impact of investigational therapies, fostering advancements in ALS research and care.

American Cancer Society

The mission of the American Cancer Society is to improve the lives of people with cancer and their families through advocacy, research, and patient support, to ensure everyone has an opportunity to prevent, detect, treat, and survive cancer.

ACS Research Priority Areas

The American Cancer Society (ACS) has identified these 6 areas to categorize and track the research we fund to help advance our mission. Applicants (except Institutional Research Grants and Professor grants) are asked to select at least 1 of these research areas that aligns with their proposal:

• Etiology (causes of cancer)
• Obesity/Healthy Eating and Active Living (HEAL)
• Screening and Diagnosis
• Treatment
• Survivorship
• Health Equity Across the Cancer Continuum

Research Scholar Grants

Research Scholar Grants (RSG) provide support for independent, self-directed researchers.

Applicants' institutions must provide space and other resources customary for independent investigators.

Grant proposals are investigator-initiated and may pursue questions across the cancer research continuum, as long as they fit within an American Cancer Society (ACS) priority research area.

These grants typically contribute to the cost of salaries, consumable supplies, and other miscellaneous items required in the research. 

Research Scholar Grants are funded up to $215,000 per year (direct costs), plus 10% allowable indirect costs, with a project period up to four years.

MSAB Creative Support for Individuals Grant

Project grants to help individual artists and culture bearers develop or sustain their creative practices and meaningfully engage with Minnesotans. Grantees may use funds to support their creative practice and meaningfully connect to and engage with audiences, participants, students, and/or communities during the grant period.

Applicants may be working in a variety of art forms including dance, media arts, music, photography, poetry, prose, theater, two-dimensional or three-dimensional visual art. Culture bearers refers to individuals who have been trained by traditional elders or master artists and whose artistic practice is reflective of the cultural life of a community that shares a common ethnicity, geographic or regional identity, language, or tribal affiliation.

Program outcome

This program exists to support artists and culture bearers as they sustain their artistic practices and maintain their connections to Minnesota residents and communities. The program’s intended outcome is: Artists and culture bearers engage Minnesotans in their creative practice.

Grant range

Applicants may request between $2,000 - $10,000. No cash match is required.

Minnesota Weatherization Assistance Program

The Weatherization Assistance Program provides free home energy upgrades to income-eligible homeowners and renters to help save energy and make sure your home is a healthy and safe place to live.

Weatherization works closely with its companion program, the Energy Assistance Program, to help permanently reduce the energy bills for low-income Minnesotans.

If you qualify, a local Weatherization service provider may conduct a free home energy assessment to determine if cost-effective energy efficiency improvements can be completed in your home. Weatherization services could help decrease your annual energy costs by up to 30 percent. 

Potential energy upgrades include: 

• Exterior wall and attic insulation
• Air leakage reduction
• Furnace, boiler, and water heater repair or replacement
• Ideas to help you reduce your home’s energy use, such as using a programmable thermostat

The Weatherization Assistance Program uses the previous calendar month of household income to determine eligibility. Households that have received Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) within the last 12 months are also eligible. Priority is given to households with elderly or disabled members, households with children, and households determined to be high energy consumers, and those with a high energy burden. 

Weatherization Assistance is a nationwide, federally funded program of the U.S. Departments of Energy and Health and Human Services. Each state administers its Weatherization program to meet the unique needs of its low-income residents. 

Protecting Minnesota’s water resources takes more than good intentions — it requires practical tools and support. The Minnesota Agricultural Water Quality Certification Program (MAWQCP) provides farmers and landowners with the resources they need to put conservation into action.

MAWQCP Climate Smart Farms Endorsement

The Climate Smart Farm Endorsement recognizes producers who incorporate approved climate-based practices into their systems.

• Endorsed producers receive the Farmers’ Guide to Carbon Market Contracts in Minnesota, published by the Minnesota Farmers Union in partnership with Farmers’ Legal Action Group and MAWQCP.
• A $1,000 payment supports producers as they explore evolving climate marketplaces and public programs. Applications are accepted online.
• To apply, contact your area certification specialist.

Who We Are

Broad Street Children's Foundation is committed to providing financial support to privately funded children's homes caring for the orphaned, abandoned and broken children right here in the United States.

Grant Seekers

Broad Street Children's Foundation supports self-sustaining children's homes across the United States that actively foster the development of strong, well-rounded children in their care.

Since the start of the Foundation, over $1,000,000.00 in grants have been donated to children's homes across the country. Additionally, through the Bill and Jackie Hazelgrove Scholarship Program, we have been able to assist a number of young people to continue their education and work towards a college or vocational degree.

Today, the Broad Street Children's Foundation is continuing the dream of it's original founders through the second generation. Equally as dedicated to changing the lives of children in need across America and striving to break the cycle of abuse and neglect for other children and their families.

Local Road Improvement Program

The Local Road Improvement Program (LRIP) was established by the Minnesota legislature in 2002 and is defined in Minnesota Statute 174.52. The legislature appropriated $50,000,000 in general obligation (GO) bonds (of which $3,000,000 is designated for grants to townships) in Laws of Minnesota 2026 Session, Chapter 130, Article 1, Section 16, Subdivision 2. Depending on the number and quality of applications received, projects will be selected from this program for counties, state aid cities, non-state aid cities, and townships for the 2026 LRIP solicitation.

The LRIP provides funding for capital construction costs only – LRIP funds cannot be used for engineering, right-of-way, construction administration or other non-construction related costs. The statute describes three types of accounts with a specific intent for the types of local road projects that can be considered for the program. 

The program’s goal is to provide funding assistance for roadway construction, reconstruction, or reconditioning projects.

Funding Availability

The competitive 2026 LRIP appropriation provides $50,000,000 in general obligation (GO) bond funding. Grant requests must range from a minimum of $50,000 to a maximum of $1,500,000 per project. Tribes are eligible to receive general funds only and are encouraged to partner with local entities on project

The Easement Restoration and Stewardship program, funded by the USDA NRCS, focuses on restoring and managing Wetland and Floodplain Easements. It includes developing restoration plans, conducting assessments, and implementing stewardship activities to enhance ecological health. Awardees will collaborate with NRCS personnel to ensure effective restoration design and maintenance strategies, fostering sustainable landscapes. This initiative addresses critical habitat conditions and promotes long-term environmental benefits for protected lands.

The Deployed Warfighter Protection FY27 program aims to safeguard military personnel from disease-carrying arthropods, including ticks and mosquitoes. It seeks innovative research to develop new insecticides, improve existing formulations, and enhance personal protection technologies. The initiative also focuses on effective pesticide application equipment, addressing both current and emerging arthropod threats. This program is crucial for maintaining the health and safety of deployed military forces.

The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) is advancing Type 1 diabetes research by exploring the innate immune system's role in disease onset. This initiative aims to identify genetic and environmental factors contributing to Type 1 diabetes through multidisciplinary teams. By employing innovative methodologies, the program seeks to determine how immune responses affect pancreatic tissues, potentially leading to early detection and prevention strategies for at-risk individuals.

The Collaborative Centers in Children’s Environmental Health Research and Translation program aims to establish a national network of research centers focused on improving children's health through innovative research and public health strategies. By fostering collaboration within the children’s environmental health community, these centers will lead the way in translating scientific findings into actionable practices, ensuring a healthier future for children while addressing emerging environmental threats.

The Immune Drivers of Autoimmune Disease (IDAD) network, supported by NIAID, aims to uncover early triggers and mechanisms of autoimmunity to prevent disease. Key initiatives include developing predictive tools and biomarkers, fostering preclinical cohorts, and utilizing AI and big data. The network will leverage shared infrastructure for collaborative research, managed by the IDAD Network Coordinating Center, which ensures coordination and resource sharing among awardees. This initiative is crucial for advancing understanding and prevention of autoimmune diseases.

The NLM Grants for Scholarly Works in Biomedicine and Health (G13) program invites applications to support the creation of book-length manuscripts and scholarly works that are vital for U.S. health professionals and scientists. This initiative aims to foster critical reviews and analytical syntheses that enhance understanding of biomedical and public health challenges, ultimately contributing valuable resources for education, research, and clinical practice.

The LAST MILE program, initiated by the NIAID, aims to enhance the implementation and effectiveness of HIV prevention and treatment strategies through real-world effectiveness trials. By fostering collaborations and focusing on diverse populations, this initiative seeks to translate clinical findings into practical applications. The program supports research across various disciplines, aligning with the NIH's mission to improve HIV/AIDS outcomes and address associated comorbidities. This multifaceted approach promises to bridge the gap between clinical trials and community-based interventions.

The National Institute on Aging (NIA) is announcing a funding opportunity to support the Exceptional Longevity Data Management and Coordinating Center (EL DMCC). This initiative aims to enhance the management of large, diverse datasets and facilitate collaborative research across NIA projects. Core functions include data integration, AI/ML infrastructure development, and maintaining the ELITE Portal for secure data access. This NOFO encourages innovative approaches to longevity research, though applications are not currently being solicited.

The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) aims to enhance the development of diagnostic tests for infectious diseases through strategic partnerships between academia and industry. By fostering collaborations, NIAID seeks to overcome barriers to commercialization, ensuring promising diagnostics reach the market effectively. This initiative aligns with NIH's mission to advance innovative technologies that improve treatment and prevention strategies for infectious diseases, ultimately contributing to public health advancements.

About

Originally conceived by Dr Bruce Mesara in 1990 as a means to carry on his philanthropic efforts beyond his lifetime, the Mesara Family Foundation was re-envisioned by his two children Amy and Douglas in 2014, and received their 501(c)(3) status from the IRS in 2015. Amy and Douglas sought out the assistance of their cousins to build upon the charitable principals on their parents, aunts and uncles.

The foundation is headquartered in Kalamazoo Michigan.

Mission

The mission of the Mesara Family Foundation is to honor the philanthropic principles of the Mesara and Pauch families by supporting carefully selected organizations that share similar values. Our focus is to provide support toward education, conservation and other causes of special family interest where our funding will make a genuine difference.

MAWQCP Financial Assistance Grant

Producers undergoing certification have priority access to financial assistance for implementing approved conservation practices.

• Provides up to $5,000 for adopting agricultural best management practices
• Covers up to 75% of implementation costs after other public funds are applied
• Applications accepted year-round; awards made on a first-come basis until funds are depleted

About the MMA

As a non-profit professional association representing physicians, residents, and medical students, the MMA ensures that physicians are helping to shape the decisions that affect your patients, your practice and your profession.

MMA Foundation Healthiest State in the Nation Grant Program

Supporting physician-led solutions to make Minnesota the healthiest state

Pilot grant program supporting high-impact, physician-led community health initiatives across Minnesota.

This is an invitation-based pilot program.

Nominations are limited to MMA and MMA Foundation leadership (Board members, Trustees, and designated staff).

Funding

• Up to $5,000 per project 
• Up to two projects funded in 2026 
• One-year grant period 

About the Program

The MMA Foundation’s Healthiest State in the Nation Grant Program supports a small number of high-impact, physician-led or physician-informed projects that advance community health across Minnesota.

Projects may be new or existing initiatives but must represent a clearly defined effort or expansion that can be completed within one year.

This pilot reflects the Foundation’s role as the MMA’s philanthropic partner—supporting physician-led solutions that improve health outcomes and advance the shared goal of making Minnesota the healthiest state and best place to practice.

Strategic Alignment

Projects must align with at least one of the Foundation’s strategic priorities:

• Catalyze optimal health for all 
• Foster well-being for physicians and physicians in training 
• Promote the profession and support diversification of the future physician workforce 

Use of Funds

Funds may support:

• Program materials 
• Outreach and engagement 
• Project coordination 
• Evaluation