Best Housing Grants in Minnesota

Minnesota 501(c)(3) and similar nonprofits serving adults, families, and youth facing food and housing insecurity can apply for approximately US $7,000 to improve facilities, tools, equipment, and infrastructure. Grants from Open Your Heart to the Hungry and Homeless help providers expand capacity and enhance services for people experiencing homelessness and related crises across Minnesota.

Minnesota 501(c)(3) and 170(c)(1) organizations providing affordable or supportive housing for low- and moderate-income residents can seek program funding that advances housing access and stability. Focused on community impact, Huntington National Bank supports activities like access to capital, homebuyer education, credit counseling, and rental assistance within its Minnesota service footprint.

Minnesota Housing Finance Agency

Minnesota Housing is the state’s housing finance agency. We finance housing that low and moderate-income Minnesotans can afford while helping Minnesotans buy and fix up their homes. Along with fostering strong communities, we provide resources to stabilize neighborhoods, communities and families. We work cooperatively with others to support the development and preservation of affordable rental housing. For more than 50 years, we’ve worked to provide access to safe, decent and affordable housing and to build stronger communities across the state. In 2025, we distributed $1.8 billion in resources and served 73,000 households.

Vision: All Minnesotans live and thrive in a stable, safe and accessible home they can afford in a community of their choice. Mission: Housing is foundational to a full life and a thriving state, so we equitably collaborate with individuals, communities and partners to create, preserve and finance housing that is affordable.

Greater Minnesota Small Cities (Tier II Cities) Housing Aid Grant Program

Through the Greater Minnesota Small Cities (Tier II Cities) Housing Aid Grant Program (the Program), Minnesota Housing makes grants for qualified projects to cities in Greater Minnesota that

• Has a population less than 10,000, and
• Is located in Minnesota and outside the seven-county Twin Cities metropolitan area (Anoka, Carver, Dakota, Hennepin, Ramsey, Scott and Washington Counties).

Grantees must prioritize projects that provide Affordable Housing to Low-Income Households.  Grantees may, but are not required to, also prioritize projects that reduce disparities in home ownership; reduce housing cost burden, housing instability, or homelessness; improve the habitability of homes; create accessible housing; create more energy- or water-efficient homes; or satisfy other criteria set by the Grantee.  

Minnesota 501(c)(3) nonprofits working on safe, affordable, or supportive housing may be eligible for Community Possible funding that also connects to economic advancement and community arts. Grants from US Bank Foundation help organizations in designated bank communities address work, home, and play, with priority for groups led by people of color and advancing equity.

American Family Insurance Dreams Foundation

At American Family Insurance, we believe in the power of dreams and the strength of community. Through the Dreams Foundation, we're committed to nurturing resilient and thriving communities, making a real difference where we live and work. Our employees and agency owners are passionate about giving back, and together, we're a force for good. Through volunteerism and matching gift programs, we're dedicated to creating lasting impacts that truly matter. The Dreams Foundation also supports organizations that are making a positive change through unrestricted grants and targeted program investments. If your organization is ready to make a difference, we invite you to apply for a grant through the link below.

The American Family Insurance Dreams Foundation is powered by our purpose—we champion dreams and opportunities so everyone can rise. We support our communities by offering unrestricted general operating grants and targeted programming investments to eligible non-profit partners. Our funding priorities align with our organizational efforts to invest in and improve the communities where we live and serve:

• Housing Access & Home Ownership
• Climate Ready Communities
• Supported Individuals & Families
• Future Ready Workforce
• Inspired & Innovative Communities
• College Access & Success 

Minnesota nonprofit organizations and government entities can seek funding for operating or project work that advances economic mobility, community wealth-building, and a fair, just housing system. Focused on equitable housing and community development, the McKnight Foundation invites proposals that expand affordable housing, increase access to capital, and strengthen democratic participation in Minnesota communities.

Minnesota housing and community development entities can receive support for creating or rehabilitating housing units that meet local priorities and regional employers’ needs in Minnesota. Minnesota Department of Iron Range Resources and Rehab provides funding up to US $99,999 for projects such as infrastructure, site work, new construction, rehabilitation, or repurposing structures for residential use, with a 1:1 match required.

Cities and municipalities in Minnesota and other eligible Great Lakes and Southern states seeking federal funding for housing, infrastructure, and community development can apply for the National League of Cities’ free Federal Grant Navigation Program. Local governments with populations near or above 6,000 receive one-on-one support, data tools, and peer cohorts to pursue ARPA and IIJA grants.

Affordable housing providers in Minnesota and other Midwest states can access intensive training to strengthen asset and property management through this five‑month cohort program. With a mission to support community development organizations, Enterprise Community Partners provides selected organizations with CHAM online courses, peer learning, and post‑training technical assistance to improve the financial, physical, and operational health of their housing portfolios.

Developers and housing organizations in Minnesota can access multifamily affordable housing capital through the Multifamily Consolidated Request for Proposals, supporting specific developments or activities that address housing needs. Minnesota Housing Finance Agency coordinates multiple federal and state funding sources in one annual competitive round, prioritizing projects serving communities most impacted by housing instability and disparities.

Minnesota 501(c)(3) nonprofits working on affordable housing for families and seniors can apply for the Fred C and Katherine B Andersen Foundation’s funding to support operations, programs, or projects. Organizations serving the St. Croix Valley region in Minnesota and nearby Wisconsin counties, especially those addressing housing alongside basic needs and community services, may be prioritized.

Supportive housing and shelter nonprofits in Minnesota can apply for funding to purchase food or provide shelter for low‑income and vulnerable people. Focused on food bank and shelter programs, UNICO Foundation invites registered food pantries, soup kitchens, and shelters in eligible UNICO states, including Minnesota, with proven service records to seek support.

Minnesota nonprofits and local governments working on equitable, affordable housing can use this program to test for and remediate lead hazards in homes. Minnesota Housing Finance Agency’s Lead Safe Home Grants prioritize properties in areas with many children experiencing lead poisoning and require income-restricted occupancy in multifamily units, with limited funds also available for administration, education, and outreach.

With a mission to support community-driven emergency responses, Mardag Foundation provides Minnesota housing and food access nonprofits with one-time grants of US $2,500 - US $20,000. 501(c)(3) organizations, public entities, and fiscally sponsored groups in the East Metro and Greater Minnesota may fund urgent gaps from disasters or unexpected repairs serving low-income residents.

Minnesota nonprofits working on affordable and equitable housing, community development, or related services can seek funding for programs that benefit low- to moderate-income individuals and families. Associated Bank provides charitable grants supporting priorities such as affordable housing, small business and workforce development, sustainability, and racial and social equity in the communities it serves.

Cities, tribes, housing authorities, private developers, nonprofits, and schools in Minnesota can access funding to create or improve affordable, owner-occupied single-family homes through the Community Homeownership Impact Fund. Minnesota Housing Finance Agency offers competitive grants and loans for acquisition, rehabilitation, new construction, and downpayment or closing cost assistance to expand equitable homeownership opportunities.

Eligible 501(c)(3) organizations in northeast Minnesota with at least $2 million in annual expenses can apply for Northland Foundation’s Otto Bremer Community Responsive Fund, awarding US $10,000 - US $75,000 for operations, programs, or capital projects. Funding supports food, shelter, low-income clinics, disability services, and school-based mental health, which may include supportive housing and shelter work.

RFP for a Grantee to build capacity of the Housing Support Program (DOC)

DHS is seeking is seeking Proposals from qualified Responders to build capacity for the Housing Support Program. 

DHS, through its Homelessness, Housing and Support Services Administration, is seeking Proposals from qualified Responders to build capacity for the Housing Support Program. 

The term of any resulting contract is anticipated to be for a 16-month contract, from March 1, 2027 until June 30, 2028. STATE may extend the contract up to a total of five (5) years.

Funding Availability

This RFP is the mechanism by which Responders will have access to the one-time appropriation of $1,250,000 to build the capacity of the Housing Support Program.

Funding will be allocated through a competitive process with review by a committee. If selected, Responders may only incur eligible expenditures when the contract is fully executed, and the grant has reached its effective date.

Our Home State Capital & Reserve Grant Program

Our Home State works to ensure Minnesota’s housing organizations have the power and resources to create an equitable future where all Minnesotans have a stable home they can afford.

Program Overview

A collaborative effort by the Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation, F. R. Bigelow Foundation and Mardag Foundation, with additional support from businesses, peer foundations and individual donors, the Our Home State Grant Program seeks to increase access to housing across Minnesota. Our Home State North Star: Minnesota’s housing ecosystem has the power and resources to create an equitable future where all Minnesotans have a stable home they can afford.

The grants prioritize organizations and programs that ensure access to affordable housing or housing stability.

Eligible 501(c)(3) nonprofits, public institutions, and government units in rural southern Minnesota can apply for Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation’s Taylor Rural Improvements Grant, awarding up to US $30,000 for capital projects. Funding supports essential-service facilities such as shelters, housing-related furnishings, transportation, food access, and internet upgrades that serve underserved residents in small communities under 10,000.

Home and Community Based Service (HCBS), Continuity of Care, Transition and Provider Capacity Building

DHS, through its Aging and Disability Services Administration, is seeking to provide Home and Community Based Services (HCBS), Continuity of Care, Transition and Provider Capacity Building.

The Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) Continuity of Care, Transition and Provider Capacity Building Mini-Grant provides small, time-limited grants to qualified organizations and HCBS providers. The grants protect continuity of care for people who are Medicaid eligible who have lost or are at risk of losing HCBS because their provider can no longer serve them (‘’affected recipients”).

Eligible applicants are organizations and qualified HCBS providers that can step in when another provider closes; loses or surrenders a license, certification or enrollment; is subject to an enforcement action; or otherwise, can no longer provide services.

The mini-grant funds two components through a single application:

• Continuity of Care and Recipient Transition; and
• Provider Capacity Building. Applicants may propose either component or both.

Applicants must describe how they will help affected recipients transition or reconnect to qualified providers and, where needed, how they will build or explain capacity to accept and serve those recipients safely.

The goal is not simply to refer recipient to another provider. It is to ensure that a qualified provider has the capacity to accept the recipient and sustain services.

The purpose of the mini-grant is to:

• Protect continuity of care for HCBS recipients experiencing, or at risk of, service disruption.
• Help HCBS recipients identify, select, and transition to qualified providers.
• Increase the capacity of qualified HCBS providers to accept affected recipients.
• Reduce the length and severity of service gaps.
• Protect recipients’ health, safety, choice, independence, and community integration.
• Address access disparities affecting rural, underserved, culturally and linguistically diverse, and other populations experiencing barriers to HCBS.

Funding Available and Allocation: 

A total of six hundred and fifty thousand dollars ($650,000) in state funding is available for this mini-grant program is under Minnesota Legislature Laws of Chapter 61 - MN Laws Sec. 59. PROVIDER CAPACITY GRANTS FOR RURAL AND UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES. The maximum award is twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000) per applicant.

Grant funds must be used only for approved activities under the funded component(s). 

Awards are subject to available funding, applicable state grant requirements, and successful execution of a grant contract. An award does not guarantee funding beyond the grant period.

Local governments or partners in Minnesota seeking funding to demolish or deconstruct blighted homes can use this grant to improve housing conditions and neighborhood safety. Grants from Minnesota Department of Iron Range Resources and Rehab help Minnesota real estate and housing projects remove unsafe structures, reduce waste through material reuse, and encourage economic development, with awards up to US $99,999.

Minnesota 501(c)(3) nonprofits focused on housing access and stability can access funding through Target Foundation’s hometown program, with awards ranging from US $25,000 - US $200,000. Organizations working in affordable housing, eviction prevention, tenant rights, and sustainable homeownership for underserved and low-income communities, especially communities of color in the Twin Cities metro, may be prioritized.

The Mutual Self-Help Housing Technical Assistance Grants in Minnesota provide essential funding to qualified organizations for managing self-help housing projects. This initiative supports very-low- and low-income families as they collaboratively build homes in rural areas, fostering community involvement and skill development. Eligible organizations include government non-profits and tribes, while grant funds can be utilized for technical assistance and family recruitment. This program plays a crucial role in addressing housing needs in underserved communities.

The TruStage Foundation focuses on fostering economic mobility through education and housing initiatives. By supporting K-12 literacy, mentoring, and affordable housing projects, the foundation aims to uplift marginalized communities. With a commitment to addressing racial and socioeconomic disparities, TruStage seeks to empower individuals and families to build a brighter future. Their funding is directed towards impactful programs that align with their mission, while avoiding causes that do not meet their criteria for economic mobility.

The Project Rental Assistance Program of Section 811 supports innovative strategies to enhance access to affordable supportive housing for individuals with disabilities. This initiative fosters collaborations between State Housing Agencies and Health Services, aiming to increase the availability of supportive services. By empowering states to manage funds flexibly, the program addresses the critical shortage of integrated housing options, ensuring that eligible individuals receive necessary rental assistance effectively.

The Union Home Foundation Grant provides financial support to nonprofit organizations that promote economic self-sufficiency through financial literacy and housing initiatives. Established in 2015, this grant has awarded over $2 million to various nonprofits across the U.S. Grants typically start at $1,000 and are available for a one-year period. Organizations must be 501(c)(3) tax-exempt and can only apply once per year, following specific eligibility criteria.