Best Aging Grants in Minnesota

The Dekko Foundation Grant supports the development of children and young people from birth to age 18, focusing on their economic freedom through tailored learning environments. The foundation prioritizes early childhood development, middle childhood growth, adolescent skills, and vibrant community support. Organizations eligible for funding must be nonprofit or have a fiscal sponsor that is a 501(c)(3). Proposals should connect to communities where the founder had a vested interest.

The Jeffris Heartland Fund Grant, provided by the Jeffris Family Foundation, supports significant historic preservation projects across several Midwestern states, including Iowa and Wisconsin. Grants range from $5,000 to $50,000, covering 50% of costs for Historic Structure Reports, requiring a dollar-for-dollar match. Eligible applicants include 501(c)(3) organizations and government agencies, focusing on projects with historical significance, architectural merit, and strong community ties. Applications are accepted anytime, with decisions made approximately 30 days after submission.

The Laird Norton Family Foundation, based in Seattle, prioritizes grants that reflect family values in arts education, climate change, human services, and watershed stewardship. Their approach emphasizes equitable educational opportunities, carbon sequestration, support for youth at risk of homelessness, and long-term ecological health. They focus on organizations that address social justice and community needs, particularly in King County, WA, and the West Coast. Note: No unsolicited applications are accepted.

The Social Impact Fund - Nationwide Grant supports innovative solutions addressing health care access, food security, and economic empowerment. Funded by the American Heart Association, this grant prioritizes community-led projects from organizations with under $10M in revenue. Eligible entities include both for-profit and nonprofit organizations based in the U.S. and Puerto Rico. Grants can provide up to $250,000 to initiatives that demonstrate measurable impact, fostering sustainable change in health and wellness.

The Morgan Family Foundation offers Social Equity Grants to support innovative initiatives and projects that promote social equity in St. Cloud, Minnesota. Grants are primarily awarded to 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations and may also support advocacy efforts and capacity building. The Foundation focuses on reducing disparities faced by marginalized communities, fostering collaboration, and enhancing community leadership, all while adhering to its mission of ensuring equitable outcomes for all individuals.

The Arts Midwest GIG Fund offers grants ranging from $2,000 to $4,000 to support creative projects and educational events across the Midwest. This funding is available for nonprofit organizations with budgets of $1 million or less, focusing on the arts. Eligible applicants include arts organizations and tribal entities located in specific states. The fund prioritizes those who have not received a grant in the last two years, ensuring diverse cultural engagement and access.

The GIG Fund: Arts and Wellness offers grants ranging from $2,000 to $15,000 to support projects that blend arts and wellness. Open to non-profit organizations, hospitals, and clinics across the Midwest, this fund aims to enhance community well-being through artistic initiatives. Eligible applicants must engage professional artists and provide activities that promote health and creativity. This funding round supports activities occurring between December 1, 2025, and June 30, 2026, emphasizing the importance of arts in fostering wellness.

The Central Minnesota Women's Fund, established in 2002, aims to empower women and girls within a 30-mile radius of St. Cloud. By collaborating with local nonprofits, the Fund focuses on enhancing self-esteem, educational opportunities, and economic independence for women of all ages. It prioritizes initiatives that support diversity, equity, and inclusion, ensuring that vulnerable populations receive the resources they need for a better quality of life.

The Northland Foundation offers quarterly grants aimed at supporting nonprofit organizations in Northeast Minnesota and nearby Native nations. These grants provide flexible funding for general operations or specific programs that address community needs such as health, housing, and education. Eligible applicants include 501(c)(3) nonprofits, educational institutions, and local governments. The foundation prioritizes projects that promote equity, community engagement, and sustainable impact, ensuring that resources reach underserved populations.

The Follow Along Program Community Connectors Grant, offered by the Minnesota Department of Health, aims to enhance enrollment and participation in the Follow Along Program by providing culturally and linguistically inclusive resources. This initiative specifically targets historically underserved populations, including Tribal Nations, African American, Somali, Hmong, Latinx, and Karen communities. Organizations are invited to collaborate in recruiting Community Connectors to facilitate outreach and support for families, ensuring they receive necessary developmental services for young children.

The McNeely Foundation, established in the 1960s, focuses on enhancing youth development through enrichment programs aimed at middle-grade youth in East Side St. Paul, Minnesota. The foundation supports organizations that provide community-based life skills and enrichment activities, ensuring that youth can realize their potential and transition successfully into adulthood. It also considers innovative projects from outside the area that can be replicated locally, promoting a vibrant and sustainable community.

The WCA Foundation Grant, a part of The Minneapolis Foundation, aims to empower nonprofit organizations that directly serve women, particularly those in the Twin Cities. With a focus on civic participation, inclusion, and upward mobility, the grant supports initiatives fostering strong communities. Eligible applicants must be 501(c)(3) organizations responsible for their projects, while grants can be for general operations or specific projects. This initiative reflects a commitment to dismantling barriers and promoting the welfare of women.

The Medica Foundation Grant for MN Early Childhood Health supports early intervention programs aimed at the growth and development of children from birth to age 12. With a focus on health equity, the grant prioritizes proposals that serve marginalized communities, including BIPOC, immigrants, and individuals experiencing homelessness. Grants can be up to $100,000 and are awarded to eligible 501(c)(3) organizations in Minnesota. This initiative aims to improve healthcare access and quality through measurable outcomes.

The George Family Foundation's Youth Development Grant aims to empower youth from under-resourced communities by supporting initiatives that foster personal growth, educational enrichment, and workplace learning. By encouraging diverse interactions and community service, the foundation seeks to provide young people with the tools to thrive and positively impact their communities. Although unsolicited proposals are not accepted, Letters of Inquiry are welcomed during specific review periods.

Ameriprise Community Grants focus on supporting nonprofits that enhance community vitality and meet basic needs. With over 120 years of commitment to philanthropy, Ameriprise Financial engages employees in volunteerism and grantmaking. Key giving areas include hunger relief, housing stability, and community development. Priority is given to organizations with active volunteer engagement from Ameriprise advisors and employees, creating a meaningful impact on financial independence and community resilience.

The Sheltering Arms Foundation Grant supports high-quality direct-service programs for children aged 0-12, focusing on early childhood and youth development along with advocacy efforts. The foundation aims to diminish opportunity gaps and enhance public commitment to children's well-being in Minnesota. Programs must be culturally appropriate and involve family engagement, ensuring children are socially and emotionally ready for kindergarten and prepared for academic success by 7th grade. Eligible organizations must be non-profits based in Minnesota.

The CHS Foundation's Cooperative Education Grant aims to support educational projects that enhance understanding of the agricultural cooperative business model. With a focus on middle school to college-age students, the program encourages innovative approaches, measurable outcomes, and engagement strategies. It prioritizes initiatives with a national or state-level reach within the CHS trade area, fostering success and growth in cooperative education. Funding will be allocated to programs that align with these goals, ensuring a robust educational framework for future leaders in agriculture.

The AGRI Urban Agriculture Grant Program, managed by the Minnesota Department of Agriculture, promotes urban youth agricultural education and community development in urban areas. With a total funding of $1.87 million available this fiscal year, grants ranging from $5,000 to $100,000 can help organizations obtain necessary resources. Eligible projects must support urban agriculture initiatives and can be located in cities with populations over 5,000 or on tribal lands, fostering resilience in local agricultural economies.

The McNeely Foundation's Youth Development Through Employment Training Grant aims to empower middle and high school youth on the East Side of St. Paul, Minnesota. By providing quality community-based youth employment and job training programs, the grant fosters the development of essential skills, ensuring a successful transition into adulthood. The foundation focuses on creating sustainable initiatives that can benefit the local community, inviting innovative proposals that align with their mission to enhance youth potential.

The Boston Scientific Foundation aims to enhance health and educational opportunities for economically disadvantaged individuals, particularly in STEM fields. Their grant program focuses on K-12 students, requiring at least 50% of participants to be at or below 185% of the poverty line. The foundation seeks evidence-based proposals that can measure improvements in STEM learning, and it prioritizes applications serving communities near Boston Scientific locations, ensuring inclusivity and non-discrimination in service.

The Minnesota Youth at Work Competitive Grant supports workforce development for economically disadvantaged youth aged 14-24. Administered by the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED), it prioritizes programs that provide career education, serve under-represented communities, and assist youth with disabilities. Applicants can request up to $850,000 annually, with potential for continued funding based on performance in the first year.

The Blandin Foundation's Community Wealth Building Grants aim to empower rural communities in Minnesota by addressing economic disparities and fostering sustainable growth. Targeting low-income, diverse populations, the grants focus on collaborative projects that enhance affordable housing, promote local businesses, and improve access to resources. With funding ranging from $25,000 to $150,000, the foundation seeks innovative solutions to strengthen community ties and support marginalized populations, ensuring a robust future for rural Minnesota.

The Esther Tomljanovich Strategic Initiatives grant from the Medica Foundation supports transformative projects aimed at advancing health equity. With a funding capacity of up to $200,000 over two to three years, the initiative focuses on innovative proposals in healthcare workforce development, women's health, aging services, dental programs, and housing stability. Grantees are expected to demonstrate measurable outcomes and foster collaboration within their communities, emphasizing the importance of addressing unique health needs.

The Family & Neighborhood Stability Grant by the McNeely Foundation aims to enhance the economic vitality and stability of youth and low-income families in East Side St. Paul. The foundation prioritizes organizations that provide financial literacy, supportive housing services, and employment training. It welcomes applications from tax-exempt non-profits and public agencies, focusing on programs that foster community development and individual empowerment. Grants are awarded primarily for program support, with a strong emphasis on data-driven strategies and community partnerships.

The Boston Scientific Foundation focuses on improving health and educational opportunities for economically disadvantaged individuals, particularly in communities where its employees reside. Its health programs target diseases such as cancer, diabetes, and cardiovascular conditions, emphasizing disease prevention, awareness, access, and quality of care. Organizations eligible for funding must be tax-exempt and serve specific geographic areas while adhering to non-discrimination policies. However, the foundation does not support certain areas, including dental health and political campaigns.

The Minnesota Mental Health Safety Net Grant supports eligible mental health providers serving uninsured patients under 21. Funded by the Minnesota Department of Health, it allocates up to $394,000 annually based on the ratio of uninsured patients served. Each provider receives a minimum of 2% and a maximum of 30% of the total funding, ensuring fair distribution. This initiative aims to enhance mental health access for vulnerable youth, with no matching funds required.

The Medica Foundation Grant for MN Behavioral Health supports proposals that address mental illness and substance use disorders in Minnesota. With a focus on community-driven initiatives, the grant aims to improve health outcomes and reduce disparities through innovative programs. Eligible organizations include 501(c)(3) nonprofits and governmental agencies. Grants of up to $50,000 are available, with priority given to collaborative projects that utilize trauma-sensitive practices and demonstrate measurable success.