Best Martin County Grants for Nonprofits in Minnesota

The Rural Hospital Capital Improvement Grant supports modernization projects for eligible rural hospitals in Minnesota. Grant funding will enable hospitals to update or replace aging facilities and equipment, ensuring continued access to essential healthcare services in communities with populations below 15,000. With an estimated total of $1,755,000 available, hospitals can receive awards ranging from $45,000 to $125,000, provided they match at least 25% of the grant request from non-state sources.

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.

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.

The Farmers Market Grant Program by Compeer Financial supports farmers by enhancing their marketing and technology capabilities. Grants can be utilized for branding, website creation, and payment technologies, as well as essential equipment like scales and tents. This initiative aims to promote direct consumer engagement and strengthen local food systems, ensuring fresh produce accessibility while fostering economic growth in rural communities. Eligible applicants must be Compeer clients actively participating in verified farmers markets.

Compeer Financial's Emergency Response Equipment Grant Program aims to enhance collaboration among rural fire, rescue, and ambulance departments by providing funding for specialized equipment. Grants of up to $10,000 support projects that improve emergency response capabilities, encouraging teamwork among departments serving adjacent jurisdictions. Eligible applicants must operate within Compeer's 144-county territory and demonstrate a clear plan for equipment use. This initiative underscores the importance of community cooperation in ensuring effective emergency services in rural areas.

The Early Literacy Grants by the Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation aim to enhance school readiness for children from birth to age eight by providing access to books. This program encourages organizations working with young children to apply for funding to distribute books to families, fostering a love for reading at an early age. Partnerships with local publishing companies ensure a steady supply of quality reading materials, with book pickups scheduled for June in Owatonna.

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.

The Flexible Support Grant: Tier 2, offered by the Prairie Lakes Regional Arts Council, provides up to $10,000 to arts organizations within a 9-county area in southcentral Minnesota. This grant supports operational costs, enhances organizational capacity, and funds arts programming, ensuring equitable access to diverse art forms for the community. It specifically targets organizations with annual budgets between $75,000 and $199,999, promoting sustainable arts initiatives that enrich local culture.

The Flexible Support Grant: Tier 1, provided by the Prairie Lakes Regional Arts Council, offers grants up to $5,000 to support arts organizations with an operating budget of $0 - $74,999. This funding aims to enhance Minnesotans' access to the arts through operational support, organizational capacity efforts, and diverse arts programming in the 9-county region of southcentral Minnesota.

The Valero Energy Foundation Grants support nonprofit organizations that align with their mission to improve the quality of life in communities where Valero operates. With a focus on basic needs, health care, education, and civic initiatives, the foundation prioritizes funding requests from 501(c)(3) organizations. In 2019, it provided approximately $40 million to support disadvantaged children and families, emphasizing a commitment to corporate citizenship and community well-being.

The Pilot Collaborative Support grant facilitates partnerships between two organizations, promoting collaboration in the arts across a 9-county region. Each organization can apply for up to $12,500, with a total funding of $25,000 available. This initiative aims to enhance cultural engagement and access to the arts, ensuring that projects benefit diverse communities. Eligible applicants include 501(c)3 nonprofits and government entities, fostering innovative projects that enrich the regional arts landscape.

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.

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.

The Minnesota Department of Health is offering funding for innovative HIV Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) programs aimed at reducing HIV transmission in rural communities. With a total of up to $600,000 available, the initiative seeks to increase HIV screenings, referrals, and prescriptions, ultimately promoting health equity and supporting the local END HIV MN plan. Organizations that can effectively implement and evaluate these programs are encouraged to apply.

The SMIF Paint the Town Grants aim to foster community pride and collaboration by funding mural, welcome sign, or historic structure painting projects in communities with populations under 10,000. Administered by the Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation in partnership with local Ace Hardware stores, these grants encourage volunteer participation and visual impact. Eligible projects must demonstrate public use and community engagement, ensuring that at least half of the painting work is conducted by volunteers.

The Prairie Lakes Regional Arts Council is offering the K-12 School Arts Project Grant to support artist residencies, live performances, mini-workshops, and arts-related field trips for students. Grants range from $500 to $3,000 and are available from July 2025 to March 2026, with monthly deadlines on the 1st, excluding December and January. This initiative aims to enhance access to diverse art forms and improve community quality of life.

The Edina Realty Foundation, established in 1996, is dedicated to improving the lives of homeless individuals and families in Minnesota and western Wisconsin. With over $12 million raised, the Foundation supports non-profits that provide housing, food, and emergency services, ensuring that more than 95% of funds directly aid those in need. Their mission highlights the belief that everyone deserves a place to call home, reinforcing community investment for a better tomorrow.

The SMIF Early Literacy Grant, offered by the Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation, aims to enhance school readiness for children from birth to eight years old by providing books. With over $1.5 million invested annually in early childhood development, the program fosters collaboration to ensure that children in 20 counties across south central and southeastern Minnesota have access to essential literacy resources. This initiative is vital for nurturing future leaders and promoting community vitality.

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.

The Rural Hospital Planning and Transition Grant, administered by the Minnesota Department of Health, aims to support small, nonprofit rural hospitals in developing strategic plans and implementing transition projects. This initiative enhances access to healthcare for underserved communities in Minnesota, ensuring they receive necessary services. Grant recipients will create sustainable plans to address community health needs and improve service delivery, fostering equity and inclusion in healthcare access.

The Farmers Market Grant Program by Compeer Financial aims to support organizations enhancing services at farmers markets. Grants of up to $1,000 are available for marketing efforts, technology upgrades, and vendor education. Eligible applicants must be bona fide farmers markets with at least three vendors of locally-produced products and must operate in the designated 144-county area. Priority is given to markets that have not previously received funding.

The Emergency Response Equipment Grant Program by Compeer Financial aims to bolster rural communities by providing funding for essential emergency response equipment for volunteer fire, rescue, and ambulance departments. With grants up to $4,000, this initiative ensures that first responders have the necessary tools to protect and serve their communities effectively. Eligibility is limited to rural departments in the 144-county territory, ensuring that help reaches those who need it most.

About

Our Mission:

To acquire, manage, and distribute funds to enhance the lives of youth in the Martin County area.

The Martin County Youth Foundation (MCYF) is a permanent community endowment dedicated exclusively to serving the needs of area youth. Formerly known as the Fairmont Area Youth Foundation, MCYF was established in 2000 by a group of active citizens concerned about the area’s future.

The name was changed to Martin County Youth Foundation in 2005 to better reflect the area served. Today, MCYF exclusively supports youth-oriented programs of nonprofit organizations, schools and units of government.

The MCYF advisory board is responsible for reinvesting the endowment’s earnings into the community. MCYF offers flexible giving options that allow individual and corporate donors to support area youth now and far into the future.

The Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation's Taylor Rural Improvements Grant offers up to $30,000 for impactful capital projects in communities with populations under 10,000. The grant aims to enhance essential services such as food, clothing, shelter, transportation, and internet accessibility. Eligible applicants include government units and 501(c)(3) nonprofits within a 20-county region. A 25% cash or in-kind match is required. This funding supports projects that improve community vibrancy and serve underserved populations.

The Small Cities Development Program (SCDP) provides essential funding to cities, townships, and counties for housing, public infrastructure, and commercial rehabilitation projects. Aimed at benefiting low-and-moderate income households, SCDP enhances community viability by facilitating economic opportunities and improving living conditions. Administered by the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED), this program offers competitive grants for diverse development needs, with funding caps of $600,000 for single-purpose projects and $1.4 million for comprehensive initiatives.

The Schmeeckle Private Foundation Grants aim to enrich lives in Martin County, Minnesota, by supporting initiatives in early childhood education, resources for the elderly and disabled, and enhancing arts opportunities. The foundation honors Juanita Ellen Schmeeckle's legacy by providing matching grants to 501(c)(3) organizations, ensuring that local communities thrive through innovation and collaboration. This commitment to social betterment fosters a brighter future for all residents.

The Agriculture Education Grant, funded by Compeer Financial, aims to enhance high school agriculture programs by providing up to $4,000 for classroom equipment and educational initiatives. This grant promotes hands-on learning and modern technologies, ensuring students are well-equipped to explore the evolving agricultural landscape. Eligible applicants include high school agriculture departments within a specified 144-county territory, with a focus on schools that have not received funding in the past two years.