Best Mental Health Grants in Minnesota

Nonprofit organizations and government entities in Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Iowa can apply for McKnight Foundation’s Midwest Climate and Energy grants to support systems-change work on clean energy, transportation, buildings, working lands, and democratic participation. Minnesota organizations whose climate initiatives intersect with community wellbeing or equity-focused services may find this funding complements broader mental health and resilience efforts.

The Impact Fund provides recoverable grants to legal services nonprofits and small law firms working on social, environmental, and economic justice issues. With over $10 million awarded since 1992, the fund supports impactful litigation addressing systemic injustices. Grants range from $10,000 to $50,000 and prioritize cases directly involving affected communities. Recipients must repay the grant amount with interest if they recover fees or costs, ensuring sustainability for future funding.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations, schools, and government entities in Minnesota can receive funding for capital projects and new or expanded programs serving women and girls within 30 miles of St. Cloud, including mental health support. CommunityGiving provides US $3,000 - US $15,000 to initiatives that build self-esteem, economic self-sufficiency, and healthy lifestyles across all life stages.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations, tribal nations, schools, and local agencies serving Northeast Minnesota can seek Northland Foundation quarterly grants of more than US $10,000 for general operating or program support. With a mission to help people and communities thrive, Northland Foundation prioritizes basic needs, health and wellbeing, and related community services that may include mental health programming.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations providing early care and education for children birth to five in southern Minnesota can seek funding to support social, emotional, physical, and mental health services. Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation offers up to US $20,000 for programs in its 20-county region that maintain and strengthen early childhood care and education.

Minnesota mental health providers serving uninsured children and youth under 21 can access funding through the Minnesota Department of Health to support safety net mental health services in Minnesota. Awards up to US $394,000 are allocated annually over a three-year period, proportionally based on the number of uninsured young patients served, with no match required.

Minnesota health professional training programs seeking to establish or expand clinical training sites in rural or underserved urban areas can access funding to build capacity and improve primary care and mental health services. Minnesota clinical training programs can access funding through Minnesota Department of Health, with awards up to US $300,000 for planning and multi-year expansion projects.

Nonprofits, schools, and government entities in central Minnesota can receive US $2,500 for programs supporting boys’ and men’s mental health and development. With a mission to uplift males facing challenges, CommunityGiving provides Minnesota mental health initiatives with support for education, fatherhood engagement, mentorship, leadership, and positive masculinity through new or existing projects.

Nonprofits, schools, and government agencies improving physical, mental, and social well-being can apply for US $2,500 - US $49,999 in core contribution grants to support community health initiatives, including in Minnesota. Gundersen Lutheran Medical Foundation’s Thriving Community Impact Fund backs programs addressing poverty, economic stability, and neighborhood environments within its 21-county Western Wisconsin, Southeast Minnesota, and Northeast Iowa service region.

The Initiative Foundation's Emerging Needs Grants offer vital support to nonprofits in Central Minnesota facing unexpected challenges. These grants enable organizations to stabilize and adapt, ensuring they continue to meet pressing community needs. With a focus on immediate impact, the funding is available to 501(c)(3) nonprofits operating in the region, allowing them to address service gaps and enhance their operations during crises.

Nonprofits, school districts, and local governments in Central Minnesota seeking to build organizational capacity can apply for Initiative Foundation’s Nonprofit Capacity Building Grants, offering up to US $10,000. Funding supports planning, staff and board training, and process improvements for groups addressing basic needs, economic opportunity, and non-clinical mental health services, including suicide prevention and substance abuse.

Focused on reducing social isolation among older adults, Southwest Initiative Foundation invites Minnesota 501(c)(3) organizations, government units, religious institutions, and educational entities to apply for US $5,000 - US $20,000 grants. Funding supports coordination of activities and direct interventions that strengthen social connections, which may benefit mental health programming for seniors in southwest Minnesota.

MN Community Justice Reinvestment Grant Program

In 2016, the Minnesota legislature established the Community Justice Reinvestment Account to provide supportive services to justice-impacted individuals to reduce further involvement in the criminal justice system. This Account is used to create the Community Justice Reinvestment Grant program, which most recently distributed $1,017,474.54 in 2024 to fund:

• Chemical dependency and mental health treatment programs,
• Programs that improve supervision,
• Pretrial and precharge supervision programs,
• Programs to reduce recidivism of controlled substances offenders on probation or supervised release or participating in drug courts,
• Support local participation in drug court initiatives approved by the Judicial Council.

Minnesota 501(c)(3) nonprofits serving children ages 0–12 through direct services or advocacy can apply for Sheltering Arms Foundation grants up to US $15,000. Grants fund early childhood education, youth development, and children’s mental health programs, including culturally appropriate, family-engaged services that may strengthen mental health supports for young people in Minnesota.

Nonprofits, schools, early childhood programs, research organizations, government agencies, collaboratives, and networks in Minnesota can seek funding for child-focused mental health, emotional safety, and child welfare initiatives. With a mission to support at-risk children and youth, Sauer Family Foundation provides support for direct services, research, field building, and systems change, prioritizing the seven-county metro area.

Minnesota nonprofits, public schools, and agencies improving STEM education for economically disadvantaged K–12 students can access funding via Boston Scientific Foundation. Programs must serve communities near Boston Scientific facilities and demonstrate evidence-based approaches and measurable outcomes. Organizations supporting youth whose families are under 185% of the poverty level may be eligible.

Nonprofit and community organizations in northwest Minnesota can apply for the Northwest Minnesota Foundation’s Building Better Lives Grants, awarding US $5,000 - US $15,000 for family support, health and wellness, and community-building efforts. Programs improving mental health access and wellness, especially for populations facing barriers, may be particularly competitive.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations in Beltrami County offering education, basic needs, or health and mental health services can apply for United Way of Bemidji Area grants, with awards from US $5,000 - US $40,000. Programs improving youth opportunity, financial stability, or a healthy community in Minnesota may be eligible.

Eligible 501(c)(3) organizations, tribal governments, and public agencies in rural Minnesota can apply for Blandin Foundation’s Community Wealth Building Grants, awarding US $25,000 - US $150,000 for multi-year community development projects. Funding can support mental health and wellness, affordable housing, workforce development, equitable access to capital, and other efforts that reduce racial and economic disparities in small, remote communities.

Large 501(c)(3) organizations in northeast Minnesota can seek funding for food access, shelter, low-income clinics, disability services, and school-based mental health work. With a mission to support thriving communities, Northland Foundation provides invitation-only grants of US $10,000 - US $75,000 for operations, programs, or capital projects in these Otto Bremer Trust focus areas.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations with at least five years of operations and $2M+ in annual expenses can seek up to US $75,000 for operations, programming, or capital projects supporting food, shelter, low-income clinics, disability services, or school-based mental health. Focused on basic human needs, Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation serves eligible communities in its 20-county south-central and southeastern Minnesota region.

With a mission to transform lives through systems change, George Family Foundation provides Minnesota 501(c)(3) organizations working on environmental access and stewardship with funding. Nonprofits that expand youth outdoor participation, improve parks and public spaces, or protect land and natural resources may be eligible, including those connecting time in nature with mental health and wellbeing.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations, public schools, and public agencies in Minnesota offering health programs for economically disadvantaged people can apply for Boston Scientific Foundation’s invitation-only support. Funding focuses on disease prevention, awareness, access, and quality of care, and may benefit mental health initiatives within 30 miles of eligible Twin Cities communities.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations working in education, health, human services, environmental stewardship, cultural enrichment, or community development, including mental health services, in eligible Minnesota counties can receive US $2,500 - US $10,000. With a mission to help people live their best life, Altra Foundation provides awards nominated by Altra Federal Credit Union members.

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.

Minnesota organizations providing clinical and mental health services to American Indian people living off reservations can apply for funding to expand culturally informed care. Focused on preventive, medical, dental, and mental health services, the Minnesota Department of Health offers competitive grants of up to US $100,000 for projects running January 2025 through December 2026.

The Sexual and Reproductive Health Services (SRHS) grant program, established by the Minnesota Legislature in 1978, aims to enhance access to sexual and reproductive health care across Minnesota. The program addresses barriers such as poverty, discrimination, and lack of transportation. Funded biannually, SRHS supports various services including contraceptive counseling, outreach, and referrals. With an estimated annual funding of $4.5 million for new applicants, the program seeks to improve the health outcomes of marginalized communities.