Best History Grants in Minnesota

The Ralph K. Morris Foundation offers Cooperative Leadership Sponsorships to support training and professional development for emerging leaders, especially from rural areas. The program adapts to changing needs by providing financial assistance for cooperative education events and scholarships. Priority is given to organizations in Minnesota and Wisconsin, encouraging a collaborative approach to leadership development in communities. This initiative aims to foster the future of cooperatives through accessible education and training opportunities.

The Minnesota Humanities Center invites applications for the "Why Treaties Matter" program, a community-based exhibit promoting understanding of Dakota and Ojibwe histories. Hosting organizations can receive up to $2,000 to develop educational programming that centers indigenous voices and knowledge. This initiative emphasizes the importance of cultural engagement and aims to strengthen relationships among communities in Minnesota. Applications are accepted continuously, with a preference for community-engaged host sites.

The Pachel Foundation, established in 2007 by Fern Pachel and the Biga family, supports charitable and arts organizations in Minnesota and northwestern Wisconsin. The foundation's interest income, derived from wise investments since the 1950s, funds nonprofits that enrich local communities. Eligible applicants must be tax-exempt organizations, submitting their 501(c)(3) letters with grant requests. Note that from August 1, 2025, applications will only be accepted from previously funded organizations.

The Jean E. Thomson Foundation Grant supports Non-Profit Organizations in Tacoma, Seattle, and Minneapolis, focusing on Religious, Charitable, Scientific, Literary, or Educational initiatives. Applications are accepted until October 1st each year, with grants typically awarded at year-end. Established in 1999, the foundation honors its founder, Jean E. Thomson, and contributes to enhancing community health and advancing humanity through targeted support and research in human disease treatments.

The MHS Minnesota Historical and Cultural Heritage Small and Structured Grants provide essential funding for projects that preserve and enhance Minnesota's rich history and cultural resources. Established through the Legacy Amendment's Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund, these grants support a variety of initiatives, including history projects and historic preservation efforts. With a focus on community engagement and sustainability, the program aims to foster lasting impacts on local history and cultural heritage throughout Minnesota.

The Minnesota Humanities Center is offering the Emergency Response Grant to support organizations promoting the art, culture, and heritage of diverse communities in Minnesota. With $600,000 available, each applicant can request up to $50,000. This funding aims to assist Indigenous groups, historically underrepresented communities, recent immigrants, and veterans in celebrating their unique cultural narratives and fostering community engagement. The application deadline is October 15, 2026, or until funds are expended.

The Museum, Exhibits, and Collections Grant by the Minnesota Humanities Center supports organizations and local governments in Minnesota to enhance cultural heritage through exhibitions and collections. With $750,000 available for both Fiscal Years 2026 and 2027, applicants can request up to $200,000 each year. Eligible applicants must be in good standing with the IRS and MHC, focusing on preserving Minnesota's cultural identity and fostering educational outreach.

Friends of NRA

Friends of NRA is the National Rifle Association’s premier fundraising program, supporting the future of shooting sports. Since day one, Friends of NRA has been a 100% grassroots effort fueled by a united front to secure the Second Amendment and raise money for the shooting sports.

Committee volunteers are appointed to State Fund Committees to make recommendations for local grant funding in areas such as youth education, women-focused clinics, law enforcement training, hunter safety, range improvement, firearms and marksmanship training and safety. Recognizing the impact American youth has on the future of the shooting sports, State Fund Committees frequently recommend grants for youth programs, allocating the most significant portion of monies to this vital area.

Grant awards fund activities and support programs in the United States to promote firearms and hunting safety, to enhance marksmanship skills of those in the shooting sports, and to educate the public about firearms in their historic, technological and artistic context.

Friends of NRA State Fund Grant Program - Minnesota

The Friends of NRA State Fund Grant Program provides supplies, equipment, and financial support to a variety of qualified groups and programs at the local level; geared towards youth, women, law enforcement, veterans, the disabled, and the general public, including:

• General shooting programs
• Competitive shooting
• Education, training and safety
• Hunting and conservation
• Community outreach
• Historical education

Grant funding must be used to further a charitable purpose as defined by the Internal Revenue Code under section 501(c)(3) and accompanying rules, regulations, and other IRS law and materials.

The NRA Foundation: Minnesota Grants aims to provide funding that aligns with its charitable mission under IRS regulations. Eligible organizations include IRS-recognized entities, government agencies, and state nonprofit organizations. The foundation supports projects that promote firearms safety, education, and research in shooting sports. However, labor organizations, private businesses, and individuals are not eligible for these grants. Proper documentation, such as IRS letters or state registrations, is required for application.

The Hugh J. Andersen Foundation Grant supports community-focused initiatives aimed at enhancing inclusivity and self-sufficiency within the St. Croix Valley. The foundation prioritizes asset-based programs led by the communities they serve, particularly those benefiting children, seniors, and individuals with disabilities. Organizations must be tax-exempt under IRS 501(c)(3) and located in designated counties. The foundation does not fund individual scholarships or loans, lobbying, or fiscal agents, aiming for collaborative funding efforts.

The Festivals Grant, offered by the Minnesota Humanities Center, aims to support cultural festivals and events across Minnesota. With funding of $1.5 million available for each of the fiscal years 2026 and 2027, eligible organizations can apply for grants to enhance community engagement through arts programming, staffing, and logistics. Applicants may seek up to $200,000 per year, fostering cultural connections and celebrating local traditions.

The MHC Community Identity & Heritage Festival Grants support diverse cultural communities in Minnesota by funding community events, music and jazz festivals, and cultural festivals featuring art installations and performances. These grants aim to enhance cultural engagement and celebrate the rich heritage of local communities, providing opportunities for individuals and organizations to showcase their artistic talents and foster community connections through vibrant festivals.

Minnesota educational institutions, government units, 501(c)(3) nonprofits, and federally recognized tribes forming history-based partnerships can apply for Minnesota Historical Society’s MHS Heritage Partnership Program; awards are more than US $10,000 for capacity building and program development. Minnesota history organizations collaborating on shared workforce, services, or resources may be especially well-suited.

Mount Sinai Community Foundation Grant

Our Mission

The Mount Sinai Community Foundation is a collective giving circle whose members come together to support initiatives that improve health, enhance well-being, or otherwise advance medical care in the Jewish and larger communities, honoring the history and legacy of the Mount Sinai Hospital.

MSCF seeks to fund innovative grant proposals from 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations for one-time grants up to $10,000 that fulfill MSCF’s mission to improve health, enhance well-being, or otherwise advance medical care for Minnesota residents. 

Through the generosity of the Frances & Samuel Finkelstein/Janice Finkelstein Mattison Memorial Fund, one of the grantees may receive funding in the area of: cancer research and education; mental health or cancer treatment; medical ethics and quality assurance; or patient advocacy programs.

Funding Priorities

• MSCF seeks to fund innovative programs and/or essential equipment that have a meaningful, direct, and high impact on the target population.
• MSCF is especially interested in discrete projects that can be identified as MSCF funded efforts. These projects or items may be funded by MSCF funds alone or with a limited number of other funding partners.
• Applicants with unique grant requests who may be unable to secure funding elsewhere are encouraged to apply.
• Funding sought for information technology or equipment and/or software upgrades will not be considered unless they are integral to the delivery of the health or medical services provided.
• Grant requests where MSCF grant dollars are only a small component of the overall project budget are unlikely to be funded.
• Through the generosity of the Frances & Samuel Finkelstein/Janice Finkelstein Mattison Memorial Fund, one of the grants may receive funding for cancer research or education; medical ethics/patient advocacy programs; or treatment for children, seniors, disabled, or the homeless.

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 Winona Foundation Grant supports non-profit organizations in Winona, Minnesota, aiming to enhance the cultural, historical, and educational heritage of the area. Established in 1982 by the Laird Norton family, this grant provides funding for innovative projects that preserve and promote the community's legacy. Eligible non-profits can apply annually to receive financial assistance that helps sustain and grow local initiatives, fostering a lasting impact on future generations.

The East Central Regional Arts Council (ECRAC) offers the Essentials Support Grant, providing funding between $3,000 to $5,000 to non-profit arts organizations in Minnesota's Region 7E. This grant supports ongoing operational expenses, fostering arts access and education while enhancing community engagement through cultural heritage activities. Eligible applicants must be 501(c)3 organizations with a history of arts programming. This funding is crucial for sustaining the arts and enriching local cultural landscapes.

Who We Are

The humanities help us understand ourselves, our communities, and our histories. By increasing collective understanding, we can spark positive change and create a more just society.

We curate stories, co-create engagement opportunities, increase knowledge, and produce resources in the areas of education, civic renewal, immersive experiences, and public programming to catalyze ideas. Our grantmaking allows us to strengthen the bonds between us, celebrate our past and traditions, appeal to the best within ourselves, and educate the next generation of leaders.

Ethnic Media Grants

Through the State of Minnesota’s 2025-2027 biennial legislation and the Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund (Legacy), the Minnesota Humanities Center (MHC) will administer $472,500 for ethnic media grants to ethnic media organizations that work to create, celebrate, and teach the art, culture, and heritage of the many diverse cultural groups that make up Minnesota, including but not limited to Indigenous organizations, communities whose culture and heritage have been historically underrepresented, recent immigrant communities, and veterans.

The Legislature in providing this funding is seeking to fund ethnic media organizations throughout Minnesota to create video content in a language other than English.

An applicant that receives funding under this grant opportunity must do at least one of the following:

• Preserve and honor the cultural heritage of Minnesota,
• Provide education and student outreach in cultural diversity,
• Support the development of culturally diverse humanities programming, including arts programming, or
• Empower communities in building identity and culture, including preserving and honoring communities whose Indigenous cultures are endangered or disappearing.

The W R Berkley Corporation Charitable Grant Program supports local 501(c)(3) organizations in Central Iowa, SW Minnesota, and Eastern Nebraska. With a focus on health, community betterment, youth development, education, and food insecurity, grants are awarded twice a year. There are no limitations on request sizes, but only one grant per organization is accepted annually. Funding decisions prioritize organizations with a proven track record of efficiency and success in serving their communities.

About Bush Prize: Minnesota

The Bush Prize program identifies and honors extraordinary organizations that consistently engage and lead their community toward creative solutions, provides them with flexible support to keep doing that work, and supports them to amplify their story to inspire others.

In 2026, two organizations will be selected as Bush Prize: Minnesota honorees. Honorees will receive an award of $250,000. The award is unrestricted and can be used for any charitable purposes in the state of Minnesota, including operating costs, program-related expenses, capital expenditures or whatever else would best support the organization's ongoing work.

The Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation was selected as the community grant partner for Minnesota and began implementing Bush Prize: Minnesota in 2024. The Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation operates Bush Prize: Minnesota as a Community Grant Partner of the Bush Foundation.

History of Creative Solutions

Bush Prize: Minnesota honors organizations which have at least three years of history using innovative approaches that offer real solutions for the challenges and issues affecting their community. Bush Prize finalists will be able to identify specific examples of processes, programs or projects that use creative approaches, technologies, collaborations, and methods to drive sustainable change and solve problems more effectively.

Community-led Solutions

Bush Prize: Minnesota honors organizations which understand that communities are best positioned to articulate and effectively respond to today's challenges. Bush Prize finalists will show a consistent commitment to listen, engage and involve the community to ensure the people they serve inform, form and benefit from the organization’s impact.

• Benefits - The community served realizes significant impact and change for the issues and challenges they identify as most critical to them.
• Informs - Work should be shaped by input from the community itself. This means the organization listens to the experiences, needs, and feedback from the community it serves to align its goals and initiatives with the actual needs and priorities of the community.
• Forms - Beyond being informed by the community, the community has an active role in shaping the work. The community is directly involved in designing and implementing programs and solutions, and the organization’s work reflects the values, culture, and strengths of the community.

Culture of Creative Problem Solving

Bush Prize: Minnesota honors organizations that exemplify a culture of innovation and creative community problem solving. Bush Prize finalists will articulate how their organization’s values, policies, practices, people and partnerships allow them to innovate and utilize community assets and resources in creative ways to develop sustainable solutions to community issues.

Transformational Impact

Bush Prize: Minnesota honors organizations which have created meaningful, long-lasting change to address the challenges and issues affecting their community. Transformational impact can happen through ideas of all sizes, within communities of all sizes, and through organizations of all sizes. Bush Prize finalists will have approaches and outcomes that:

• Challenge the status quo and address the root causes of significant community issues and systemic challenges.
• Create sustainable and equitable solutions for community, particularly for communities which have been historically underserved.
• Inspire others in the region and serve as a model for future success.

The Bush Prize: Native Nations honors Native-led organizations committed to innovative solutions in their communities. Grants can reach up to $500,000, covering 25% of the organization’s previous fiscal year expenses. This annual award emphasizes collaboration and resourcefulness, supporting entities that are deeply valued in their communities and have proven success in addressing challenges. The program, a partnership with four community grant partners, aims to empower organizations in Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, and 23 Native Nations.

The MHS Minnesota Historical and Cultural Heritage Large Grants program, funded by the Legacy Amendment's Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund, supports projects that preserve Minnesota's history and culture. This competitive grant program, initiated in 2009, aims to enhance access to cultural resources and promote enduring historical projects. Eligible initiatives include history documentation, preservation planning, and education programs, contributing to the state's rich heritage while fostering public engagement and awareness.

The Target Foundation's Hometown Racial Equity Grant aims to advance racial equity for underserved communities in the Twin Cities. With over a century of commitment to social responsibility, the Foundation addresses systemic barriers by investing in entrepreneurship, workforce development, housing, and asset building. By supporting BIPOC-led organizations, the Foundation seeks to create equitable economic opportunities, ensuring that all families can thrive and contribute to a vibrant community. Grants range from $25,000 to $200,000, focusing on sustainable impact.

The Steven C. Leuthold Family Foundation Grants support 501(c)(3) non-profits in areas such as land conservation, environmental protection, human services, and animal welfare. Founded in 1991 by philanthropist Steven C. Leuthold, the foundation prioritizes organizations that align with its giving preferences. Applications are due by June 30, 2025, with grants distributed by December 2025. Note that incomplete applications will not be accepted.

The Ciresi Walburn Foundation supports innovative educational initiatives in Minnesota, focusing on eliminating inequities for children and youth. They partner with K-12 schools and nonprofits to enhance educational opportunities, emphasizing early learning, parent engagement, and diverse educator recruitment. The foundation prioritizes projects that foster equitable access to quality education while strategically investing in transformative ideas. However, past funding does not guarantee future support, and technology expenses are only considered if ancillary to broader proposals.

The Hallett Charitable Trusts aim to strengthen the Cuyuna Lakes Area through financial support to non-profit organizations. Established by E.W. and Jessie Hallett, these trusts have awarded an average of $1 million annually over the past three years. Grants focus on projects that align with the Trusts' mission and support tax-exempt organizations. Priority is given to local initiatives that promote equity, diversity, and inclusivity, ensuring a lasting impact on the community's educational, health, and cultural opportunities.

Minnesota Humanities Center

The Minnesota Humanities Center (MHC), a non-profit organization, strives to create a more just society that is curious, connected, and compassionate by increasing the collective understanding of ourselves, our communities, and our histories through stories and experiences. 

Youth Literary Grant

Grant Goals

Funding will support individual authors and organizations to create, produce, and distribute books for youth in Minnesota.

An applicant that receives funding under this grant opportunity must do at least one of the following:

• Amplify arts, culture, and heritage in Minnesota,
• Increase the depth and breadth of Minnesota who will connect with arts, culture, and heritage, and
• Provide opportunities for individuals in Minnesota to enjoy arts and culture for free or at reduced cost to allow access for economically disadvantaged individuals and families in Minnesota to attend Legacy programs.

Legacy funding may only be used for new work or new additions to existing work. Funding must supplement and not substitute existing funding sources or be used as reimbursement of expenses for existing projects.

Applicants must provide books for free or at a reduced cost for youth and families.