Best Grants for Museums in Minnesota

The Automation Training Incentive Program, offered by the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED), provides grants up to $35,000 to small businesses in manufacturing or skilled production. This initiative supports training for incumbent workers on new automation technologies. Eligible businesses must be located outside the seven-county metropolitan area or in specific cities. The program aims to enhance workforce quality and job creation in Minnesota.

The Low Income Worker Training Program, offered by the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development, provides essential job-specific training grants of up to $200,000 for entities helping low-income individuals. This initiative aims to enhance workforce development by enabling individuals earning at or below 200% of federal poverty guidelines to acquire skills necessary for higher-paying jobs. The program supports training-related materials and certification fees, promoting economic self-sufficiency in Minnesota.

The Job Training Incentive Program, operated by the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED), offers grants to businesses in Greater Minnesota for workforce training. Eligible companies can receive up to $200,000 to train new employees, provided they create at least three jobs that pay above federal poverty guidelines. This initiative aims to enhance economic growth and improve job quality in the region.

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.

Minnesota Innovations in Perinatal Health

This Request for Proposals (RFP) is focused on improving perinatal health outcomes for communities of color, American Indian communities, and rural communities. This RFP aligns with the Innovations for Maternal Health Outcomes in Minnesota (I-MOM) program, which centers perinatal health innovations within communities most impacted. This RFP will fund innovative activities in community engagement and communications focused on improving perinatal health and focused on supporting the implementation of the perinatal health strategic plan. Grant funds can be either used to support existing programming or used to create new programming.

Northland Foundation

The Northland Foundation is a place-based, publicly supported foundation working within seven Northeast Minnesota counties and all or parts of five Native nations.

Mission: Our mission is to support Northeast Minnesota people and communities working toward a future where everyone feels they belong and can thrive.

Otto Bremer Community Responsive Fund

The Northland Foundation is serving as an intermediary for the Otto Bremer Trust (OBT) Community Responsive Fund with up to $600,000 available for re-granting within northeast Minnesota according to the priorities and guidelines of the OBT.

Focus Areas that OBT Grants Will Support

Grants may support operations, programming, and/or capital projects for eligible 501(c)(3) organizations operating within northeast Minnesota. Grant proposals must be for work in one or more of the following OBT focus areas.

• Food. Organizations and programs that directly operate meal sites and food pantries to meet basic daily needs (large, region- and state-wide food bank activities are NOT included).
• Shelter. Organizations and programs that provide short-term and emergency shelter beds for people who are housing insecure or facing homelessness.
• Low-income healthcare clinics. Organizations and programs that primarily provide affordable medical, dental, and mental health services to people with limited financial resources or who are uninsured/under-insured.
• Disability services. Organizations and programs that support people with physical/cognitive disabilities.
• School-based mental health. Organizations and programs that have established school-based mental health services.

Open Your Heart to the Hungry and Homeless offers the Community Impact Grant aimed at supporting organizations that assist individuals and families facing food and housing insecurity in Minnesota. The grant focuses on providing necessary tools and infrastructure to crisis service providers, particularly those helping the homeless. Agencies with 501(c)3 status located in Minnesota are eligible to apply, ensuring that resources are effectively directed to those in immediate need.

The Federally Qualified Health Center Subsidy Grant, administered by the Minnesota Department of Health, supports Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHC) and FQHC Look-Alikes in improving services for low-income populations. Empowered by legislation from the 2007 MN Legislative session, this grant aims to enhance health equity across Minnesota, ensuring that all communities have access to essential healthcare services.

Minnesota Department of Education

The Minnesota Department of Education’s mission is ensuring every child receives a quality education, no matter their race or zip code. Following our guiding principles of collaboration, leadership and equity we focus on leadership, support and partnership to school districts, charter schools, libraries and other stakeholders. We are dedicated to serving lifelong learners, from birth through adulthood, and working to ensure they are all prepared for career, college and their community. 

Law Enforcement Emergency Device Grant

The Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) makes this funding available to Special or Independent School Districts, Charter Schools, Tribally Controlled Schools, Minnesota Academies, or Cooperative Units for the purpose of installing one secure exterior master key box that will allow law enforcement access to a locked school building during a crisis. All applicants that meet the eligibility criteria will be award a grant to install up to one device per selected building.

The Cannabis Industry Training Program (CanTrain) is a grant initiative by the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) aimed at enhancing workforce training for adults facing employment barriers. The program targets racial disparities and economic gaps by providing essential educational services and support. By equipping individuals with the skills necessary for high-growth jobs, CanTrain promotes long-term family-sustaining wages and fosters greater literacy among Minnesotans.

The Minneapolis Foundation invites proposals for the Economic Mobility – Capacity Building Grants, aimed at enhancing economic mobility through flexible funding for nonprofits. This initiative prioritizes organizations in Minneapolis and Hennepin County's inner-ring suburbs, focusing on capacity building, strategic planning, and community engagement. Grants will support activities like financial management, staffing improvements, and technology upgrades to help nonprofits adapt to changing landscapes and better serve their communities.

The Minnesota Rural Hospital Flexibility Program Quality and Population Health Grant aims to enhance rural healthcare delivery through innovative strategies. Funded by HRSA, it assists critical access hospitals (CAHs) in improving quality, implementing MBQIP, and advancing population health initiatives. The next funding cycle is anticipated in 2029, providing an opportunity for rural communities to enhance healthcare services and build capacity in emergency medical services and health professional collaboration.

The Clinical Preparation for International Medical Graduates Grant Program, authorized by Minnesota Statutes Section 144.1911, aims to support immigrant international medical graduates (IMGs) in overcoming barriers to practice. This initiative facilitates their integration into Minnesota's healthcare workforce by preparing them for medical residency programs, ultimately enhancing access to primary care in rural and underserved areas. By leveraging IMGs' diverse backgrounds, the program promotes culturally responsive healthcare services across Minnesota.

Project Lead The Way is offering a rolling grant opportunity for schools to implement the PLTW Engineering program for the 2025-2026 academic year and beyond. Eligible institutions include public, private, and charter schools located in the US. Grant recipients will receive funding to cover participation fees and training costs. Total funding amounts to $16,000, distributed over three years. Schools are encouraged to create pathways for students in engineering through this initiative.

Project Lead The Way (PLTW) offers grants for schools to implement the PLTW Computer Science program from 2025 to 2028. Schools must provide at least one PLTW course in the first year and two courses in the second year. The total grant is $14,000, covering participation fees and training costs. Eligible institutions include public, private, and charter schools located in the U.S., with special encouragement for those serving low-income or minority-majority populations.

The Minnesota Job Skills Partnership Pathways Program aims to provide training and career opportunities for individuals with incomes at or below 200% of the federal poverty guidelines. Grants of up to $400,000 support projects that include partnerships between businesses and accredited Minnesota educational institutions. Funds can cover training-related costs but not wage subsidies or tuition reimbursement. This program is essential for fostering workforce development and enhancing the skills of low-income individuals, ultimately aiding their transition into sustainable employment.

The McKnight Printmaking Fellowship, part of the McKnight Foundation’s program, offers two mid-career artists in Minnesota an unrestricted award of $25,000 along with access to Highpoint's advanced print shop and various professional development opportunities. This fellowship aims to support artists who have demonstrated sustained excellence in printmaking. Eligible candidates must have been Minnesota residents for at least a year and cannot have received a McKnight Artist Fellowship in the last five years.

The Fred C. & Katherine B. Andersen Foundation Grant focuses on enhancing the quality of life in the St. Croix Valley of Minnesota and Wisconsin. It supports 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations with priorities in healthcare, education, housing, human services, civic initiatives, and environmental education. While capital requests may be considered, the foundation primarily funds operational and programmatic needs. Organizations outside the geographic area may be considered if they align with the foundation's funding priorities.

The Joyce Foundation's Environment Grants focus on addressing critical environmental challenges in the Great Lakes region, such as climate change and water safety. The foundation prioritizes equitable, carbon-free energy solutions and clean water access for all communities. Grants are awarded to organizations committed to environmental justice and innovation in climate policy, particularly in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, and Wisconsin, ensuring that the voices of affected communities guide project development.

The Artists Engage Community Grant, offered by the Region 2 Arts Council, promotes the integration of high-quality arts into North Central Minnesota's communities. Supporting diverse artistic projects, including performances, public art, and educational workshops, the grant aims to enhance local engagement with the arts. Eligible proposals must connect with residents of Beltrami, Clearwater, Hubbard, Lake of the Woods, or Mahnomen counties, ensuring accessibility and community involvement. Projects must commence within 12 months and be completed by June 30, 2025.

ServeMinnesota provides annual grants to support nonprofits, local governments, institutes of higher education, and Indian Tribes in hosting AmeriCorps programs. Grantees must use research-based measures of program outcomes to generate valid and reliable data that are available to ServeMinnesota for evaluation and public reporting purposes.

AmeriCorps improves lives, strengthens communities, and fosters civic engagement through service and volunteering. AmeriCorps brings people together to tackle some of the country’s most pressing challenges through national service and volunteerism. AmeriCorps members serve with organizations dedicated to the improvement of communities and those serving.

AmeriCorps grants are awarded to eligible organizations that engage AmeriCorps members in evidence-based or evidence-informed interventions to strengthen communities. An AmeriCorps member is a person who does community service through AmeriCorps. Members may receive a living allowance and other benefits. After successful completion of their service, members earn a Segal AmeriCorps Education  Award they can use to pay for higher education expenses or apply to qualified student loans.

For this funding opportunity, AmeriCorps will prioritize consideration from organizations that:

Serve Communities:

•  Serve communities with concentrated poverty, rural communities, tribal communities, and historically underrepresented and underserved individuals. These may include people of color, immigrants, refugees, people with disabilities, LGBTQIA+ individuals, people with arrest or conviction records, religious minorities, etc.;
• Implement programs for or expand access to high-quality youth mental health and substance use recovery services and prepare AmeriCorps members to enter behavioral health careers. These may include individuals with lived experience with substance use and mental health challenges to support youth mental health efforts and continued AmeriCorps work on the opioid epidemic;
• Focus on improving the quality of life for veterans, active-duty members of the Armed Forces, and their families by recruiting veterans, military spouses, and their older children into national service;
• Promote environmental stewardship to help communities (especially underserved households and communities) to be more resilient by reducing greenhouse gas emissions, conserving land and water, increasing renewable energy use and improving at-risk ecosystems;
• Support civic bridgebuilding programs and projects to reduce polarization and community divisions; and providing training in civic bridgebuilding skills and techniques to AmeriCorps members;

The Management Improvement Fund Grant supports small to midsize nonprofits in Minnesota by providing up to $15,000 for technical assistance aimed at enhancing organizational capacity and nurturing BIPOC leadership. With a history of distributing $7 million to over 470 organizations since 1991, the fund prioritizes initiatives that benefit low-income communities and address pressing operational needs, fostering sustainable growth and community impact.

The Minnesota Chapter Peter Potvin Scholarship is available for full-time undergraduate mechanical or architectural engineering students enrolled in institutions within the Minnesota Chapter's geographic boundaries. Applicants must maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0 or be in the top 30% of their class, with additional criteria for program accreditation. This scholarship supports students pursuing degrees that prepare them for careers in the HVAC&R field, contributing to sustainable building practices.

The Joyce Awards

The Joyce Awards provide direct, catalytic support to Great Lakes-based artists and culture bearers whose visionary creative practices meaningfully impact and advance racial equity in their communities.

Informed by conversations with artists, arts leaders, and past awardees across the region, the new Joyce Awards program includes unrestricted awards of $100,000, paired with a $40,000 grant to a Great Lakes organization selected by the artist to help realize, expand, or deepen the impact of their work in the region.

Administered by United States Artists, the program now welcomes both peer and self-nominations and has expanded eligibility state-wide in six states. Artists and culture bearers based in Michigan, Minnesota, and Wisconsin will be eligible in 2026, followed by Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio in 2027. Following a nomination, application, and panel review process, four Awards will be awarded in each year. 

The Rural and Underserved Clinical Rotations Grant Program (RUCR) aims to enhance health professional training by funding rotations in rural and underserved areas. This initiative supports various training programs, including physician, physician assistant, and mental health professions, to ensure that healthcare providers receive practical experience in community settings. With $1.5 million available for approximately 4-6 grants, this program seeks to improve access to quality healthcare in Minnesota's rural communities.

The MRC/SOT Early Career Toxicologist Award, presented by the Society of Toxicology, recognizes an outstanding Midwest toxicologist with up to 10 years of experience. This prestigious award honors candidates actively contributing to the field or recently retired, showcasing their unique research achievements and teaching proficiency. Winners receive an engraved plaque and an honorarium, celebrating their commitment to advancing toxicology and enhancing human, animal, and environmental health.

The University of Minnesota's Co-Sponsorship Grants Program offers funding up to $2,000 to support events that enhance training for graduate students and postdoctoral scholars. Eligible activities must align with the Graduate School's mission and be accessible to students across various colleges. Preference is given to initiatives demonstrating potential for sustainable impact. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis until funds are exhausted, so timely submission is crucial for consideration.

The Grain Storage Facility Safety Grant, offered by the Minnesota Department of Agriculture, provides financial assistance to farmers for purchasing and installing safety equipment for grain bins and silos. Eligible applicants can receive up to 75% of costs, with a maximum of $400 per bin or silo, and an annual cap of $2,400 per farm. This grant aims to enhance safety measures in agricultural practices across Minnesota.