Best Grants for New Nonprofits in Minnesota

Minnesota nonprofits, schools, public agencies, and first responders can access funding through the Auto Club Group Foundation to support traffic safety, driver education, and K–12 financial literacy initiatives, including passive speed display equipment. Grants of US $5,000 - US $15,000 are available within the foundation’s 14-state and 2-territory service area.

Community-based nonprofits, tribal governments, local governments, and educational institutions in Minnesota and other EPA Region 5 states can seek up to US $150,000 for environmental and public health assessment and engagement projects in disadvantaged communities. The Minneapolis Foundation supports work such as GIS mapping, air and water quality monitoring, research, and community education under its Environmental Justice Thriving Communities Tier 1 program.

Minnesota public, private, or nonprofit entities that provide employment services to low-income individuals can apply for the Low Income Worker Training Program, with awards up to US $200,000 for job-specific skills training and related costs. New Minnesota nonprofits focused on workforce preparation and poverty alleviation may be eligible to support short-term training leading to full-time employment.

The Minnesota Jobs Skills Partnership (MJSP) offers a Partnership Grant Program aimed at enhancing workforce training and development in high-demand sectors. Grants of up to $400,000 are available for accredited educational institutions partnering with businesses to create tailored training programs. These funds can cover essential training costs, ensuring that Minnesota's workforce remains competitive and skilled. The initiative aims to foster collaboration between businesses and educational entities, addressing the state's evolving workforce needs effectively.

Minnesota for-profit and nonprofit organizations improving healthcare access, food security, or economic vitality can access funding through the American Heart Association’s Social Impact Fund, with awards up to US $500,000. New nonprofits operating in the U.S. or Puerto Rico that offer scalable, community-driven health solutions may be strong candidates.

Minnesota 501(c)(3) nonprofits and government entities can seek operating or project support for community development, economic mobility, housing, and democratic participation initiatives. Grants from The McKnight Foundation help Minnesota organizations advance shared prosperity, power, and participation, including efforts that build community wealth, strengthen workers’ rights, and cultivate fair, affordable housing systems.

Minnesota 501(c)(3) nonprofits working in education, health, human services, environment, arts, or community development can receive US $2,500 - US $10,000 to advance their local programs. With a mission to help people live their best life, Altra Foundation provides awards to organizations impacting eligible Minnesota counties through member-driven nominations.

Minnesota 501(c)(3) nonprofits and fiscally sponsored groups can receive up to US $15,000 for technical assistance and consulting to strengthen internal operations and capacity. Minnesota new and small nonprofits can access funding through the Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation for activities like organizational assessment, strategic planning, leadership development, and other management improvement projects, with priority for BIPOC-led organizations.

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.

Established 501(c)(3) nonprofits and government units offering cancer or cardiovascular health education, awareness, or support services in Minnesota communities near eligible Bayer sites may be eligible for this program. Grants from Bayer Fund help health-focused organizations deliver evidence-based programs, including access-to-care support like housing for families traveling for cancer or heart treatment.

Economic development and workforce-focused 501(c)(3) nonprofits, school districts, Tribal and local governments in Central Minnesota can access funding to pilot or launch new strategies through the Initiative Foundation, with awards up to US $10,000. Grants support projects like sector partnerships, apprenticeships, affordable housing, entrepreneurial activity, and feasibility or business model assessments, which may benefit newer organizations.

Legal services nonprofits, solo practitioners, and small law firms pursuing impact litigation for social, economic, racial, or environmental justice in Minnesota can receive US $10,000 - US $50,000 in recoverable funding for out-of-pocket litigation costs. The Impact Fund awards these grants quarterly, prioritizing filed or near-filed cases that advance systemic change for oppressed communities.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations working on healthcare, housing, education, human services, civic, or environmental education in Minnesota and Wisconsin can seek support for general operations, programs, projects, and some capital needs. The Fred C and Katherine B Andersen Foundation prioritizes services in the St. Croix Valley, including Washington and eastern Ramsey Counties and nearby Wisconsin counties.

Public agencies and 501(c)(3) or other nonprofits in Minnesota can seek US $2,500 - US $5,000 for historic preservation planning and education projects that build local capacity and engage new audiences. National Trust for Historic Preservation funds activities like feasibility studies, design guidelines, community forums, and innovative outreach that introduce preservation concepts and support ongoing initiatives.

New or early-stage 501(c)(3) organizations and local governments in rural Minnesota can seek funding for planning or implementing community projects that strengthen civic life, economic development, arts, education, or public spaces. Focused on collaborative rural development, the Laura Jane Musser Fund supports projects with strong local participation, matching support, and tangible results within 18 months; awards up to US $25,000.

Nonprofit organizations in Minnesota working on education policy, educator pipelines, or economic mobility for underserved youth can apply for Joyce Foundation’s Education & Economic Mobility Grants. Funding supports research, policy development, advocacy, and implementation that improve K–12, college and career readiness, and post-secondary success, especially for BIPOC and low-income students in the Great Lakes region.

Journalism organizations, mostly nonprofits in Minnesota and the wider Great Lakes region, can receive funding for independent, nonpartisan reporting and related projects. The Joyce Foundation supports investigative coverage on key regional issues, strengthens nonprofit and community news networks, and backs programs for early career journalists, particularly journalists of color, with some selective national media support.

Nonprofits, schools, and government agencies in Western Wisconsin, Southeast Minnesota, and Northeast Iowa can seek US $2,500 - US $49,999 for community health and well-being initiatives. Gundersen Lutheran Medical Foundation’s Thriving Community Impact Fund supports programs addressing physical, mental and social health, poverty and economic stability, and neighborhood or built-environment improvements that advance local Community Health Improvement priorities.

Minnesota 501(c)(3) nonprofits, public/government agencies, and Tribal Nations working on early childhood health can apply for Medica Foundation’s Early Childhood Health Grant, with awards up to US $100,000. Funding supports early intervention for children birth–12, especially programs advancing health equity through abuse prevention, culturally focused care, maternal health, oral health, parenting skills, primary care, and social-emotional learning.

New or established 501(c)(3) nonprofits in Minnesota addressing basic needs, community vitality, or volunteer-driven causes can seek support for hunger relief, housing, workforce readiness, financial literacy, arts access, and neighborhood revitalization. With a mission to strengthen communities, Ameriprise Financial provides U.S. nonprofits with funding, prioritizing locations like Minneapolis and organizations engaging Ameriprise volunteers.

Minnesota educational institutions, 501(c)(3) nonprofits, tribes, and government units forming history-based partnerships can apply for Minnesota Historical Society’s Heritage Partnership Program, with awards of more than US $10,000. Minnesota organizations, including newer nonprofits, may use these funds for capacity building, shared staff or services, and collaborative projects that preserve and expand access to the state’s history and cultural resources.

The Old National Bank Foundation offers grants to nonprofit organizations for community impact initiatives across Indiana, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, Michigan, Minnesota, Iowa, and Wisconsin. Focused on four key areas—Affordable Housing, Workforce Development, Economic Development, and Financial Empowerment—the foundation prioritizes programs that support underrepresented communities. Organizations must have 501(c)(3) status and align with the foundation’s funding priorities to qualify for grants, which can be applied for every two years.

New and established for-profit businesses, nonprofits, schools, local governments, and tribal communities in Minnesota can fund urban agriculture youth education and community or economic development projects with $5,000 - $75,000 grants. With a mission to strengthen the state’s agricultural economy, the Minnesota Department of Agriculture supports equipment, capital improvements, personnel, transportation, and translation costs for eligible urban and tribal-area projects.

Nonprofit organizations, fiscally sponsored groups, and Tribal Nations in Minnesota can seek funding for early childhood care and education initiatives, including staff, direct project costs, and limited overhead. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota Foundation supports efforts that advance healthy child development and address health and racial inequities through child care, screenings, and family home visiting, with awards up to US $200,000.

Nonprofits, mission-oriented for-profits, and eligible housing entities with ready-to-scale affordable housing innovations can seek US $2,000,000 grants to expand proven solutions nationwide, including Minnesota. Enterprise Community Partners and Wells Fargo support projects in design and construction, finance, or service delivery that increase housing affordability for renters and homeowners within specified income limits.

Native-led 501(c)(3) nonprofits, fiscally sponsored groups, and tribal programs in Minnesota can receive US $50,000 - US $100,000 in unrestricted support for community-powered solutions, healing, leadership, and cultural revitalization. Good Relatives Collaborative prioritizes grassroots organizations under $2.5 million in budget, including newer nonprofits building capacity to serve Native communities.

Nonprofit housing developers, cities, tribes, school entities, and private developers in Minnesota can seek funding to create or improve affordable, owner-occupied single-family homes. Grants from Minnesota Housing Finance Agency help Minnesota organizations finance acquisition, rehabilitation, new construction, and downpayment assistance. New nonprofits working in homeownership or equitable, affordable housing may be competitive applicants.