Best Foundation Grants for Nonprofits in Minnesota

Minnesota nonprofits, schools, public agencies, and first responder departments can access funding through the Auto Club Group Foundation for traffic safety, driver education, and K–12 financial literacy initiatives. Grants of US $5,000 - US $15,000 are available within the foundation’s multistate service area, including support for passive speed enforcement equipment like speed display signs.

The Environmental Justice Thriving Communities Grantmaking Program, led by The Minneapolis Foundation, supports community-based nonprofits in the Great Lakes region. With a focus on underserved communities, grants will total $40 million over three years, aiming to enhance environmental health, education, and resilience. The program prioritizes applications from federally recognized tribes and organizations with limited budgets, fostering inclusive community engagement and sustainable development. Eligible projects include environmental assessments, public health initiatives, and job training.

Nonprofit organizations in Minnesota running programs that blend youth development, postsecondary success, community safety, and mentoring can receive support for community-led, asset-based solutions. Grotto Foundation provides Minnesota nonprofits with funding to improve educational, financial, physical, and social well-being, and invites ideas from groups working in at least three of its four focus areas.

Nonprofit organizations, groups, and Tribal Nations in Minnesota can receive funding to support working artists and culture bearers through general operating or project grants, including justice-focused and underrepresented artists. The McKnight Foundation’s Arts & Culture program also accepts innovative proposals from government entities, with applications reviewed on a rolling basis and typical decisions within three months.

Nonprofit organizations and government entities in Minnesota working on climate and clean energy systems change can apply for McKnight Foundation’s Midwest Climate and Energy grants. Funding supports efforts like transforming the energy grid, decarbonizing transportation and buildings, advancing climate-smart working lands, and strengthening democratic participation to cut greenhouse gas emissions with an equity focus.

Minnesota nonprofits hosting community events, fundraisers, or special activities can access funding through Old National Bank to support programs with broad community impact. Sponsorship priorities include initiatives serving underrepresented groups and efforts tied to economic development, workforce readiness, financial education, affordable housing, and other Community Reinvestment Act-focused services in eligible Minnesota counties.

Minnesota 501(c)(3) nonprofits and government entities can seek funding for community development, economic mobility, housing, and democratic participation initiatives. Grants from McKnight Foundation help Minnesota organizations advance shared prosperity, build community wealth, and cultivate fair, affordable housing systems, with applications accepted on a rolling basis for operating or project support.

Minnesota 501(c)(3) nonprofits and Tribal governments seeking to implement mission-driven technology projects can apply for grants of US $1,000 - US $30,000. With a mission to fund technology that advances nonprofit missions, Shavlik Family Foundation supports data, digital systems, and other tech implementations that measurably improve operations or community impact across Minnesota.

Minnesota 501(c)(3) nonprofits and fiscally sponsored groups can receive up to US $15,000 for technical assistance and consultation to strengthen internal operations and capacity. Minnesota nonprofits can access funding through the Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation for activities like strategic planning, organizational assessment, leadership development, evaluation, and other capacity-building support, with priority for organizations serving BIPOC communities.

The Medica Foundation Grant focuses on enhancing rural health in Minnesota by funding community-led initiatives that address health equity. With grants ranging from $5,000 to $10,000, it supports projects that improve healthcare access and quality, particularly in underserved areas. Eligible applicants include 501(c)(3) organizations, government agencies, and Tribal Nations, while emphasizing measurable outcomes and culturally-focused care.

With a mission to improve lives and strengthen communities, Andersen Corporate Foundation provides Minnesota nonprofits working in housing, hunger relief, and trade education with support. Eligible 501(c)(3) organizations serving Andersen communities can request US $5,000 - US $50,000 for general operating, program or project costs, or capital campaigns.

Minnesota 501(c)(3) nonprofits working in arts and humanities, education, environment, human services, communications, or libraries can apply for Legacy Grants, typically ranging from US $1,000 - US $3,000, to support projects or general operations. Focused on community well-being, the Minneapolis Foundation prioritizes organizations primarily in the Twin Cities metropolitan area.

Minnesota 501(c)(3) nonprofits providing direct services like basic needs assistance, youth support, disability services, education, medical research, or veteran support can apply for program-specific funding. Focused on human services and health, Joseph Durda Foundation prioritizes charities incorporated in Minnesota, especially programs in communities where its board members live.

With a mission to support charitable and arts institutions, Pachel Foundation provides Minnesota and northwestern Wisconsin 501(c)(3) organizations with funding across all fields of work. Eligible nonprofits must be tax-exempt and, after August 1, 2025, previously funded by the foundation to receive continued support for their programs and operations.

The Peoples Bank Foundation Grant aims to create a significant impact in local communities by providing financial support to nonprofit organizations. With over 20 years of service, the foundation has awarded more than $7.5 million in grants and scholarships across several states. It prioritizes initiatives that assist low to moderate-income individuals and families, encouraging organizations within its footprint to apply for funding to enhance their community-focused programs.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations, fiscally sponsored groups, schools, Tribal nations, and local agencies serving Northeast Minnesota can seek Northland Foundation quarterly grants of more than US $10,000 for general operating or program support. Funding can back basic needs, housing, food security, early childhood, out-of-school time, violence prevention, health, and equity-focused community initiatives.

Focused on human services, education, and arts and culture, West Bancorporation Foundation invites Minnesota 501(c)(3) nonprofits to request support for programs serving low- and moderate-income individuals. Eligible organizations in Olmsted County may benefit, while similar nonprofits in designated Iowa counties are also served through this corporate foundation’s regional giving.

Nonprofit organizations and select government initiatives in Minnesota working on education policy and economic mobility can apply for Joyce Foundation’s Education & Economic Mobility Grants to support research, policy development, advocacy, and implementation. Programs focused on effective educators, college and career readiness, or post-secondary success for underserved youth in the Great Lakes region may be eligible.

Nonprofits, schools, and government agencies in Minnesota and the surrounding 21-county service region can apply for Gundersen Lutheran Medical Foundation’s Thriving Community Impact Fund Core Contribution Grants, awarding US $2,500 - US $49,999 for community health initiatives. Funding supports physical, mental and social well-being, poverty and economic stability, and neighborhood and built-environment improvements.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations providing direct services to women 18 and older in Minnesota’s seven-county Twin Cities metro can seek funding for general operations or specific projects addressing basic needs, education, safety, economic stability, and health. Grants from The Minneapolis Foundation’s WCA Foundation range from US $10,000 - US $30,000 and support human service agencies serving women locally.

Medica Foundation provides Minnesota nonprofits, public agencies, and Tribal Nations with funding for early childhood health programs serving children from birth through age 12. Grants up to US $100,000 support early intervention efforts that advance health equity, especially for BIPOC, immigrant, refugee, rural, homeless, LGBTQ+ youth, and children in or aging out of foster care.

Minnesota 501(c)(3) public charities, government entities, tribal governments, and fiscally sponsored community organizations can access funding through the Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation to support community-led, transformational change. This statewide Community IDEAS Grant Program offers US $125,000 in unrestricted funding for charitable work benefiting communities across Minnesota, including Greater Minnesota, the Twin Cities metro, and Native-led, Native-serving organizations.

Minnesota 501(c)(3) nonprofits working to combat systemic racism or advance arts programming can apply for the Archie D & Bertha H Walker Foundation’s annual grants, offering up to US $5,000. Eligible organizations must be independently incorporated, registered in Minnesota, and located in the Twin Cities metro counties of Anoka, Carver, Dakota, Hennepin, Ramsey, Scott, or Washington.

Minnesota 501(c)(3) public charities working on affordable housing, workforce development, economic development, or financial empowerment can apply for Old National Bank’s foundation grants, with awards around Approximately US $15,000. Eligible nonprofits must be located within the bank’s footprint and prioritize underrepresented or low- to moderate-income communities in their programs.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations and eligible public entities serving the Minneapolis–St. Paul metro area can seek general operating or program support for hunger relief, shelter, K–12 education access, and workforce development. C H Robinson Foundation’s Twin Cities Grants Program offers US $5,000 - US $30,000 to strengthen local communities through food, housing stability, education, and job pathways.

Nonprofits, mission-oriented for-profits, and eligible housing entities in Minnesota and nationwide can seek Enterprise Community Partners’ Housing Affordability Breakthrough Challenge grants to scale proven affordable housing innovations. Enterprise provides U.S. housing innovators with US $2,000,000 awards for ready-to-scale solutions in design and construction, finance, or service delivery and programs that expand housing choice and access.

Minnesota K–12 schools, higher education institutions, and 501(c)(3) nonprofits serving children and youth can seek funding for programs that advance educational equity and opportunity. Ciresi Walburn Foundation provides Minnesota education organizations with support for high-performing schools, educator development, family engagement, early learning, literacy, tutoring, and equitable career pathways, excluding technology-only projects and all individual or political funding.