Best Grants for Museums in Minnesota

Full-Service Community Schools Competitive Grant Opportunity

Grant Purpose

The purpose of this grant opportunity is to increase the number and capacities of evidence-based, effective and sustainable full-service community schools across Minnesota. These investments will expand systemic supports for students, families, and communities across Minnesota.

Funding

This grant opportunity estimates that $4.9 million is available to fund approximately 8-10 three-year grant awards under Laws of Minnesota 2025 1st Spec. Sess. chapter 10, article 2, section 24, subdivision 11.

The maximum grant award may not exceed $600,000 per school site ($1,800,000 per eligible entity); the minimum grant award is $375,000 per school site.

The Make it Minnesota Cost-Share Program, administered by the Minnesota Department of Agriculture, offers financial assistance to Minnesota-based consumer packaged goods companies. By reimbursing 50% of eligible marketing investments, the program supports businesses in enhancing their market presence. Eligible entities can receive up to $4,000 annually for Minnesota-manufactured brands and $3,000 for those made elsewhere. Applications are processed on a first-come, first-served basis until the deadline or funds are exhausted, with the final application date set for July 10, 2026.

HOLES FORE HOPE/Minnesota PGA Associate Scholarship Program

The HOLES FORE HOPE/Minnesota PGA Associate Scholarship program is designed to award scholarships to Associates of the Minnesota PGA Section. Holes Fore Hope has committed funds to help Section Associates offset the cost of the PGA of America Associate Program. The amount of the scholarship(s) is/are determined by the availability of funds. Payments will be made to the Associate upon completion of the Level they are completing. This year, Holes Fore Hope and the Assistants' Chapter Board will oversee both the application review and award selection process.

The Minnesota Section PGA, which covers the areas of Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota and a small portion of Wisconsin, consists of over 100 Associate members annually. The Minnesota Section PGA is mandated not to discriminate according to federal and state statutes. The final selection process will be made by the Minnesota Section PGA Board of Directors. No announcements will be made before the applicants receive notification from the Minnesota Section PGA. If additional funds become available, the Board may grant additional scholarships to worthy applicants.

Beginning Farmer Equipment and Infrastructure Grant

The intent of the Beginning Farmer Equipment and Infrastructure Grant program is to support new farmers in Minnesota to access equipment and develop infrastructure that will be crucial to the future of their farm business.

Through this grant, beginning farmers are able to pay for:

• Agriculture-specific equipment needed to grow crops, raise livestock or store the related farm products
• Farm infrastructure investments related to water access; irrigation; fencing; electricity; walk-in coolers; livestock handling; grain storage; production-related structures such as barns, livestock buildings, and greenhouses; and other farm infrastructure.

Funds available

This program is funded by the Minnesota Legislature.

For the Fiscal Year 2026/2027 program, the MDA expects to award approximately $700,000 through a competitive review process. The maximum award is $10,000 and the minimum award is $1,000. 

For proposals requesting up to $2,000, no match is required, 100% of the costs can be reimbursed. For proposals requesting more than $2,000, grantees may be reimbursed up to 75% of their costs up to $10,000. See Request for Proposals for details.

We expect to award between 70 and 95 of grants; however, the final number depends on the size of the awards and will be determined through the proposal review process.

The Shavlik Family Foundation Grant focuses on funding innovative technology projects that enhance the operational efficiency of nonprofits and Tribal governments in Minnesota. With a commitment to transparency and continuous improvement, the foundation aims to support impactful projects that demonstrate measurable benefits. Eligible organizations must be recognized as 501(c)(3) public charities or Tribal governments, working to improve the lives and environment of Minnesota residents. The grant process encourages discussion of proposals with foundation staff.

Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development

The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) was created in July 2003 with the merger of the former Minnesota Department of Trade and Economic Development (DTED) and the Minnesota Department of Economic Security (MDES). DEED is the state's principal economic development agency. The Department's programs promote business recruitment, expansion, and retention; international trade; workforce development; and community development.

Commissioned Needs Assessment for the Minnesota Independent Living Network

Procurement Overview and Goals

The Department of Employment and Economic Development (“DEED”), Vocational Rehabilitation Services (“VRS”) requests proposals, on behalf of the Minnesota Statewide Independent Living Council (“MNSILC”) and the Centers for Independent Living (CILs), to conduct a statewide needs assessment for individuals living with disabilities.

Key objective: Determine the level of financial investment required for Centers for Independent Living to effectively and comprehensively meet the needs of individuals with disabilities throughout the state of 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 CHS Foundation's Ag Leadership Grant aims to enhance agricultural leadership and cooperative education. This program supports projects that cultivate a diverse pipeline for future agricultural leaders, focusing on education and career training for high school students to young professionals. Priority is given to initiatives that impact multiple states within the CHS trade area, thereby fostering a deeper understanding of the cooperative business model in agriculture.

P-TECH (Pathways in Technology Early College High School) Competitive Grant – State Fiscal Year 2026

The Minnesota Department of Education makes this funding available to public school districts and charter schools for the purpose of providing start-up and ongoing support of P-TECH schools, established as a public-private partnership, that will prepare students for high skills jobs of the future in identified growth industries.

The P-TECH (Pathways in Technology Early College High School) model integrates high school, college, and industry through partnerships among school districts, community colleges, and employers. With a focus on Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) fields, it combines rigorous academics, workplace learning, mentoring, and internships. Students receive individualized support to accelerate progress toward both a high school diploma and an associate’s degree.

The model’s intended outcomes include preparing students with industry-recognized credentials and authentic workplace learning opportunities. While employment is not guaranteed, graduates are prioritized for opportunities with partner employers. P-TECH also broadens access to high-quality STEM education and lowers academic and financial barriers by aligning secondary and postsecondary pathways.

Federal Charter Schools Program (CSP) Grant

The Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) received a grant from the U.S. Department of Education (ED) to increase charter school quality and authorizer accountability. The three objectives identified in MDE’s application to ED are designed to support a landscape of high-quality/high-performing charter schools that all parents from all communities can access by making informed decisions about the best education choices for their children through empowered access to information.

Native Language Revitalization Grant

Grant purpose

The Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) makes funding available to school districts, charter schools, and Tribal contract schools in Minnesota to provide language instruction in Dakota and Anishinaabe languages or another language indigenous to the United States or Canada, pursuant to Laws of Minnesota 2025, 1st Special Sess. chapter 10, article 6, section 6, subdivision 5.

Funding

Funding is made available through Laws of Minnesota 2025, 1st Special Sess. chapter 10, article 6, section 6, subdivision 5. MDE estimates that up to $13,500,000 is available for the initial grant round. Any funds remaining after the initial round will be available for subsequent grant rounds. Applicants are encouraged to apply during the initial round as the timing and funding available for subsequent rounds will be determined after the first round is complete.

Applicants are encouraged to request no more than $500,000 for the two-year grant period. However, applicants may request more than $500,000 if they can clearly demonstrate the need for such funding.

The Medical Education and Research Cost (MERC) Grant Program, administered by the Minnesota Department of Health, supports clinical medical education in Minnesota. With $59 million allocated for the current fiscal year, the program provides funding to sponsoring institutions, such as hospitals and schools, which are responsible for clinical education programs. The minimum grant award is $5,000, aimed at addressing the financial challenges faced by teaching facilities in a competitive healthcare market.

The Medical Education and Research Cost (MERC) Grant Program, initiated by the Minnesota Department of Health, supports clinical medical education across Minnesota. Established in 1996, this program addresses funding gaps for teaching facilities that face challenges in covering overhead costs not reimbursed by standard mechanisms. By providing essential funding, MERC helps sustain high-quality medical training and education, ensuring that Minnesota continues to cultivate skilled healthcare professionals.

LSTA Literacy Grant FFY 2026 – State Fiscal Year 2027

Grant purpose

The Minnesota Department of Education makes this funding available to libraries as defined per Minnesota Statutes 2025, section 134.001, subdivision 2 for the purpose of helping to achieve Minnesota’s LSTA Five-Year Plan (2023-2027), Goals A, B, and C, to reduce barriers to access, promote equity, showcase libraries’ contributions to community, and empower Minnesota’s library workforce. Successful grant proposals will connect proposed project activities to improving access to services and information in areas of literacy.

While LSTA funds are primarily intended to support new projects that can serve as models or pilots, applications for new phases of a project that is underway may be submitted. Libraries may also apply for funding of an ongoing project if it reaches new audiences, incorporates new methods or significantly expands the reach of the project.

Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) Professional Development Travel Grants – Federal Fiscal Year 2026

The Minnesota Department of Education makes this funding available to library staff working in Minnesota libraries for the purpose of providing opportunities to attend regional or national library conferences or continuing education opportunities which fulfill identified professional development needs for the participant and their library. It is hoped that these travel grants will allow staff to gain essential professional development skills and networking opportunities to help increase impact and develop staff through connection to bring back best practices for their libraries and their patrons.

Applicants from a regional library system may apply to fund up to five staff members’ attendance at regional or national library conferences or continuing education opportunities. Any paid staff working full-time or part-time in a Minnesota public library, academic library, school library, special library or tribal library is eligible. This includes librarians, library assistants, library specialists, library leaders, managers or supervisors, library technicians or specialists, public relations managers, or any other paid library staff working in a library.

Funding

$50,000 is available to fund 14-25 staff in attending professional development under the Grants to States program, funded by the Library Services and Technology Act, LS-260829-OLS-26.

The maximum grant award may not exceed $3,500 per person, or $17,500 in total per applicant/regional library system

Minnesota Department of Health

Mission: Protecting, maintaining and improving the health of all Minnesotans.

Vision: The vision of MDH is for health equity in Minnesota, where all communities are thriving and all people have what they need to be healthy.

Quit Partner™ Ambassadors

The Minnesota Department of Health seeks proposals from community organizations to engage community members and increase knowledge of Quit PartnerTM programs. The goal of this work is to increase knowledge and reach of Quit Partner programs and ultimately reduce commercial tobacco use rates among adults in Minnesota. 

Commercial tobacco products are tobacco products manufactured and sold by the tobacco industry, like cigarettes, e-cigarettes, cigars, and chew. Commercial tobacco is different from traditional or sacred tobacco, also known as Caŋsasa, Asemaa, or Kinnikinnick, and which are used by American Indian communities for sacred purposes.

Rural Clinical Fellowship for Advanced Practice Providers and Other Clinicians

It is a federal initiative to help states support rural communities in improving health care access, quality, and outcomes by transforming the health care delivery ecosystem. The RHTP focuses on promoting innovation, strategic partnerships, infrastructure development, and workforce investment in rural communities. The federal program will grant up to $50 billion to states over five budget periods.

This RFP supports the development of rural clinical fellowship programs to prepare and train advanced practice providers, behavioral healthcare professionals, and oral healthcare professionals to deliver comprehensive rural clinical care. Proposed programs should be advanced, rural-focused, community-based, supervised post-graduate clinical training and didactics that complement prior academic experiences and address gaps in clinical skills to prepare providers to manage the health needs of rural Minnesotans. 

Fellowships are expected to vary in duration, focus, and format based on the needs of different provider types. All programs must offer a structured learning environment providing mentored clinical education and didactics. Fellowships may be 12-18 months long. For example, a rural clinical Nurse Practitioner fellowship may be structured to meet two days per month for a 12-month fellowship. 

Proposed fellowships must:

• Train clinicians who are currently practicing or intend to practice in rural primary care, including oral health, behavioral health, maternal health, and other areas of primary care practice
• Strengthen clinical competencies
• Cultivate knowledge, skills, and cultural competence related to rural practice, solidifying providers’ rural professional identities 
• Include interprofessional learning and practice
• Provide mentorship
• Increase clinicians’ ability to handle ethical issues that arise when practicing in rural communities
• Strengthen rural workforce wellness and resiliency
• Increase clinicians’ overall readiness to deliver comprehensive care to rural Minnesotans

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 Core Writer Grant Program is a prestigious initiative by the Playwrights' Center that supports a diverse group of professional playwrights over a three-year term. Selected writers engage in workshops to develop new works while receiving guidance from industry experts. With 25-35 playwrights involved annually, the program fosters artistic growth and provides opportunities for public readings and networking, enhancing the careers of emerging talents in the theater community.

The Summer Health Care Internship Grant Program, authorized by Minnesota Statutes Sec. 144.1464, aims to enhance the health care workforce by providing grants to hospitals and clinics for summer internships. Targeting secondary and postsecondary students, it promotes career exposure in health care fields, addressing workforce shortages and improving access for diverse populations. Funded by the Minnesota Department of Health, this initiative supports collaboration with educational institutions, ensuring a robust pipeline for future health care professionals.

The Hospital Safety Net Grant Program, authorized by Minnesota Statutes Section 145.929, provides funding to hospitals to cover underpayments for Emergency Medical Assistance services. Grants will be allocated based on qualifying EMA claims exceeding $50,000 during 2024. A total of $1,315,000 is available annually, with funding spread among eligible applicants over a two-year period from June 30, 2025, to June 29, 2027. This program aims to enhance hospital sustainability while serving vulnerable populations.

The McKnight Fellowships in Playwriting support mid-career playwrights in Minnesota, providing a $25,000 stipend, $2,500 for play development, and $1,400 for travel. This fellowship recognizes playwrights who demonstrate a distinct artistic vision and commitment to their craft. Eligible applicants must have had at least one professional production and maintain residency in Minnesota. Recipients will become Affiliated Writers of the Playwrights' Center, contributing to the vibrant landscape of theater in the region.

The Rural Initiative Grant Program by the Laura Jane Musser Fund aims to foster collaboration among rural communities in areas like economic development and education. Emphasizing community involvement, it encourages diverse participation and measurable outcomes within 18 months. Grants of up to $25,000 for implementation or $5,000 for planning are available, targeting nonprofit organizations and local governments in select states. This initiative seeks to empower communities to achieve positive change through active engagement and support.

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 McKnight Fellowships for Musicians, administered by the MacPhail Center for Music, support mid-career musicians in Minnesota who have demonstrated artistic excellence and commitment. Each year, four $25,000 fellowships are awarded to solo artists or small ensembles. These funds enable musicians to focus on their craft, pursue new projects, and enhance their artistic growth. This program emphasizes inclusivity across various musical genres, celebrating the vibrant culture of Minnesota's music scene.

The McKnight Media Artist Fellowships, offered by FilmNorth in collaboration with the McKnight Foundation, provide four $25,000 fellowships to mid-career media artists residing in Minnesota. These fellowships aim to recognize artistic excellence and support the creative work of individuals with a strong commitment to media arts. In addition to the financial award, fellows benefit from public acknowledgment, networking opportunities, and professional support, fostering a vibrant community of artists.

The McKnight Fellowships for Dancers offer three annual fellowships of $25,000 each to Minnesota dancers, supporting their artistic growth and exploration. These unrestricted awards allow recipients to dedicate time to study, experimentation, and new projects. Designed for established artists with at least eight years of committed dance work, the program recognizes and nurtures talent that contributes to Minnesota's cultural fabric. Additional benefits include career development support and an exclusive retreat opportunity.

The McKnight Choreographer Fellowships provide three $25,000 awards annually to Minnesota choreographers, offering unrestricted support for artistic development. This fellowship encourages study, experimentation, and new project exploration. It aims to recognize experienced artists who have made significant contributions to their field. In addition to financial support, fellows receive career development resources and can attend a four-day retreat in Minnesota, along with funding for collaborative opportunities in New York City.