Best Grants for Museums in Minnesota

The MN AWWA Advanced Degree Scholarship offers up to three $3,500 scholarships annually to students enrolled in water-related Bachelor's or Graduate degree programs. Applicants must be juniors or seniors at accredited institutions and submit necessary documentation, including transcripts. The scholarship is awarded directly to the educational institution, and winners are recognized at the MN AWWA Annual Conference, typically held in Duluth, MN each September.

The NCR-SARE Youth Educator Grant Program supports educators in the North Central Region to innovate ways of teaching sustainable agriculture. With funding up to $6,000, this program encourages educators to engage youth and promote sustainable practices. By sharing their experiences, grantees can create a ripple effect among peers, enhancing the reach and impact of sustainable agriculture education. This initiative aims to foster creativity and collaboration in teaching sustainable practices to the next generation.

The Gridiron Veterans Scholarship, provided by the Bob Woodruff Foundation, offers essential financial support for military veterans and first responders. This initiative focuses on wellness, rehabilitation, and recovery programs, ensuring participants can access mental health services, physical therapy, and holistic resources. The foundation prioritizes those facing emotional and physical challenges, empowering them to overcome barriers and improve their quality of life through customized, evidence-based support.

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 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 Rural Primary Care Residency Training Grant Program aims to enhance primary care residency training in rural Minnesota. With funding between $1.5 to $2 million, it supports planning, accreditation, and training. Grants of up to $225,000 per resident per year are available for sustainable projects. To qualify, programs must demonstrate ACGME accreditation and provide evidence of resident training. This initiative is vital for strengthening the rural physician workforce and improving healthcare access in underserved areas.

The Southeast Asian Economic Disparities Relief Competitive Grant aims to alleviate economic disparities within Southeast Asian communities by funding workforce recruitment, development, job creation, and capacity-building initiatives. Targeting individuals of Southeast Asian descent aged 18 and older, including Hmong, Lao, Vietnamese, and other groups, the grant seeks qualified proposals that enhance outreach and support smaller organizations in their efforts to serve these communities effectively.

The Point Source Implementation Grants support local governments in funding essential water infrastructure projects. These grants aim to comply with TMDL plans under the Clean Water Act, reduce phosphorus discharge, and meet specific nitrogen limits. Eligible applicants include cities with projects ready for construction by spring/summer 2025. Those who previously applied but did not obtain MPCA certification are encouraged to reapply. This initiative aims to enhance water quality and ensure compliance with environmental standards.

The Clean Water Legacy Partners Grant Program, administered by the Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources, aims to enhance partnerships for protecting and restoring Minnesota's water resources. With funding of $500,000 for the first year and $2,000,000 for the second year, the program supports initiatives like clean water workshops, rain gardens, and shoreline protection. Eligible applicants include non-profit organizations and tribal governments dedicated to improving water quality.

The Conservation Partners Grant Program, funded by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, supports private landowners in implementing regenerative agriculture and conservation practices. By awarding competitive grants, the program facilitates technical assistance for developing management plans and best practices, enabling landowners to maximize the ecological benefits of their lands. This initiative is crucial for enhancing fish and wildlife habitats, addressing pressing conservation issues, and promoting sustainable land stewardship across the United States.

The Messerli And Kramer Foundation Grant aims to support Minnesota communities in addressing educational disparities faced by low-income and disadvantaged children and youth. Established in 2005, the foundation is guided by a diverse board involved in charitable initiatives. It seeks to fund organizations that are 501(c)(3) tax-exempt non-profits committed to making a meaningful impact in education for underserved populations.

Associated Bank Community Grants focus on enhancing the well-being of communities through charitable donations. Allocating 1% of annual pretax profits, the bank supports programs benefiting low- to moderate-income individuals and families. Philanthropic priorities include affordable housing, small business development, workforce development, sustainability, and racial/social equity. The bank collaborates with nonprofit organizations that align with its values, ensuring meaningful contributions to community growth and improvement.

The Minnesota Job Skills Partnership, managed by the Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED), offers pre-development grants to support planning for large-scale training projects. Aimed at enhancing workforce skills in high-demand sectors, these grants provide up to $50,000 for institutions to expand their training capacity. This initiative encourages collaboration between businesses and educational entities to address skill gaps and improve job opportunities across Minnesota.

Minnesota workforce development organizations and education–business partnerships can access funding for new and incumbent worker training through the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development. DEED provides Minnesota workforce preparation and job readiness programs with up to US $400,000 to develop cooperative training projects, create new jobs, and build career pathways that may benefit museum-related employment needs.

The Battlefield Preservation Fund Grant aims to support initiatives that preserve battlefields and related historic sites. This funding encourages planning and educational efforts, particularly those that engage new audiences in preservation activities. Eligible applicants include public agencies and nonprofits in specified states. Grants can be used for staff support, consultant fees, and educational materials. Applicants must provide a one-to-one match for funding, ensuring strong community involvement in preservation efforts.

The Minnesota Department of Education is offering grants for remodeling, constructing, or repurposing gender-neutral single-user restrooms. This initiative supports safe and healthy school environments, aiming for improved accessibility and student health. Grant amounts can reach up to $150,000, with a maximum of $75,000 allocated per site. At least 80% of funds must be dedicated to restroom projects, while 20% may be used for engagement and implementation activities, ensuring a comprehensive approach to student safety.

The Clean Water Revolving Fund in Minnesota provides below-market-rate loans to support communities in upgrading wastewater treatment facilities to meet federal standards. Managed by the Minnesota Public Facilities Authority and the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, the fund aims to enhance water quality and public health. Eligible applicants include cities and counties, with specific project requirements and loan terms based on population size. The program promotes financial responsibility and environmental compliance, ensuring sustainable water management.

Local Road Improvement Program

The Local Road Improvement Program (LRIP) was established by the Minnesota legislature in 2002 and is defined in Minnesota Statute 174.52. The legislature appropriated $50,000,000 in general obligation (GO) bonds (of which $3,000,000 is designated for grants to townships) in Laws of Minnesota 2026 Session, Chapter 130, Article 1, Section 16, Subdivision 2. Depending on the number and quality of applications received, projects will be selected from this program for counties, state aid cities, non-state aid cities, and townships for the 2026 LRIP solicitation.

The LRIP provides funding for capital construction costs only – LRIP funds cannot be used for engineering, right-of-way, construction administration or other non-construction related costs. The statute describes three types of accounts with a specific intent for the types of local road projects that can be considered for the program. 

The program’s goal is to provide funding assistance for roadway construction, reconstruction, or reconditioning projects.

Funding Availability

The competitive 2026 LRIP appropriation provides $50,000,000 in general obligation (GO) bond funding. Grant requests must range from a minimum of $50,000 to a maximum of $1,500,000 per project. Tribes are eligible to receive general funds only and are encouraged to partner with local entities on project

Minnesota meat, poultry, egg, and milk processing businesses seeking to start up, modernize, or expand facilities can access funding through the AGRI Meat, Poultry, Egg, and Milk Processing Grant. Administered by the Minnesota Department of Agriculture, this program supports equipment and physical improvements that boost processing capacity, market diversification, and food safety, which may benefit museum-affiliated food programs.

The Bisexual+ Fund Grant, offered by the PFund Foundation, supports organizations that promote equity for bisexual+ individuals in the upper Midwest, including Iowa, Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wisconsin. Grants range from $1,500 to $3,000 for general operating support, aiming to empower bisexual-led initiatives. Applications will open in late fall 2025, and eligible organizations must primarily serve LGBTQ+ populations and demonstrate commitment to bisexual+ communities.

The Carolyn Foundation Environmental Grant focuses on combating climate change through community-led initiatives in Minnesota and Indigenous Nations. The Foundation prioritizes organizations that work towards aggressive carbon reduction goals by 2030 to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. Eligible applicants must be 501(c)(3) organizations, not classified as private foundations. The Foundation seeks to support efforts that enhance community engagement and energy efficiency, ensuring equity and environmental justice in policy reforms.

The Connecting Joy Grant, provided by the Joy in Childhood Foundation, aims to enhance the hospital experience for children battling illness through engaging gaming programs. This initiative supports children's hospitals and nonprofits by funding equipment, staffing, and connectivity, ensuring children can enjoy gaming at their bedside. With grants ranging from $25,000 to $150,000, the program focuses on offering joy and distraction, helping young patients cope with their hospital stays while facilitating connections with peers.

The ASPET Poster Awards for undergraduates recognize exceptional scientific presentations at the ASPET Annual Meeting. This competition showcases the best research from young scientists, including undergraduates, graduates, and postdoctoral fellows. Awards are presented by ASPET divisions and the Mentoring and Career Development committee, with cash prizes varying by category. Eligible applicants must be ASPET members and present their research in poster format. This initiative encourages participation in pharmacology-related research.

The Dunkin’ Prom Grant, provided by the Joy in Childhood Foundation, aims to bring joy to teenage patients unable to attend their own prom due to illness. By funding hospitals to host prom-like events, the program ensures these patients experience this significant milestone. Grants typically range from $20,000 to $50,000, supporting the creation of memorable events with themes, food, entertainment, and formal wear for the teens, making a positive impact in their lives.

The Dunkin' Joyful Spaces Grant supports children's hospitals and community health centers in creating joyful environments for pediatric patients. Launched in 2022, this initiative helps fund play areas, healing gardens, and other kid-friendly spaces, enhancing the hospital experience. Grants typically range from $25,000 to $65,000 annually, with a maximum of $150,000 over three years. This opportunity encourages creativity in designing spaces that provide comfort and joy to children and their families during hospital stays.

The Gary & Mary Malmquist Scholarship, administered by the St. Croix Valley Foundation, offers $20,000 ($5,000 annually for four years) to a graduating senior from Stillwater Area High School with a minimum GPA of 3.0. The scholarship prioritizes applicants demonstrating strong financial need and is aimed at supporting students attending public colleges in Minnesota or Wisconsin. This initiative reflects the Foundation's commitment to enhancing educational opportunities in local communities.