Best Nobles County Grants for Nonprofits in Minnesota

The Rural Family Medicine Residency Grant Program, authorized by Minnesota Statute Sec. 144.1912, aims to support family medicine residency programs located outside the 7-county metropolitan area. The program provides funding to cover training costs for eligible residents, with approximately $1,000,000 available this cycle. Each new residency position may receive up to $400,000 in funding for a maximum of three years, promoting the training of family physicians in underserved communities.

The Gilchrist Foundation offers capital campaign grants to pre-selected non-profit organizations, particularly those enhancing arts, wildlife conservation, public broadcasting, and disaster relief. While the Foundation does not accept unsolicited applications, eligible organizations can request an invitation to apply. Grants typically support significant renovation or expansion projects, aiming to foster long-term viability and special initiatives. Preference is given to projects in the Sioux City area, with a focus on stimulating matching funds.

The AGRI Urban Agriculture Grant Program, managed by the Minnesota Department of Agriculture, promotes urban youth agricultural education and community development in urban areas. With a total funding of $1.87 million available this fiscal year, grants ranging from $5,000 to $100,000 can help organizations obtain necessary resources. Eligible projects must support urban agriculture initiatives and can be located in cities with populations over 5,000 or on tribal lands, fostering resilience in local agricultural economies.

The Rural Hospital Planning and Transition Grant, administered by the Minnesota Department of Health, aims to support small, nonprofit rural hospitals in developing strategic plans and implementing transition projects. This initiative enhances access to healthcare for underserved communities in Minnesota, ensuring they receive necessary services. Grant recipients will create sustainable plans to address community health needs and improve service delivery, fostering equity and inclusion in healthcare access.

The Rural Hospital Capital Improvement Grant supports modernization projects for eligible rural hospitals in Minnesota. Grant funding will enable hospitals to update or replace aging facilities and equipment, ensuring continued access to essential healthcare services in communities with populations below 15,000. With an estimated total of $1,755,000 available, hospitals can receive awards ranging from $45,000 to $125,000, provided they match at least 25% of the grant request from non-state sources.

The Minnesota Department of Health is offering funding for innovative HIV Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) programs aimed at reducing HIV transmission in rural communities. With a total of up to $600,000 available, the initiative seeks to increase HIV screenings, referrals, and prescriptions, ultimately promoting health equity and supporting the local END HIV MN plan. Organizations that can effectively implement and evaluate these programs are encouraged to apply.

The Small Cities Development Program (SCDP) provides essential funding to cities, townships, and counties for housing, public infrastructure, and commercial rehabilitation projects. Aimed at benefiting low-and-moderate income households, SCDP enhances community viability by facilitating economic opportunities and improving living conditions. Administered by the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED), this program offers competitive grants for diverse development needs, with funding caps of $600,000 for single-purpose projects and $1.4 million for comprehensive initiatives.

Democracy Grant Program 

Our Democracy Grant Program will consider proposals that address one or more of the following:

• Organizing across issues (e.g., economic justice, climate justice) that builds power and strengthens democratic participation and/or works to improve the material conditions of Minnesota communities
• Narrative infrastructure and storytelling that expands civic voice and dialogue toward an equitable democracy and a just Minnesota
• Infrastructure and institution building that expands our movement landscape, strengthens leaders and equips our changemaking ecosystem for lasting power-building

We understand this work of realizing and strengthening our democracy manifests across issues. We also understand that organizing leverages various strategies required to shape political agendas and social conditions for long-term change include strengthening narrative infrastructure, organizing resources, increasing democratic participation, and building new institutions.

Organizing that works to change the material conditions of communities will both fortify our civic infrastructure and strengthen the democratic participation of communities across the state. Efforts grounded in strong issue-based campaigns, the defense of democratic institutions, leadership development that brings new leaders into the fold, and an orientation of institution building all lay the groundwork for long-term change.

Funded work could include any of the following and more:

• Cross-issue organizing around topics of economic justice, public safety, environment/climate, LGBTQIA+ rights, racial justice, immigration, Indigenous governance and sovereignty, civic engagement working to improve the material conditions of Minnesota communities
• Organizing strategies that expand base-building and grow new constituencies to build a bigger “we”
• Organizing that builds narrative infrastructure and power to shape storytelling and expand civic discourse for a just Minnesota

Grant Details

Grant amounts will be $100,000 per year for a five-year grant period, for total grant amounts of $500,000 per grantee

In 2026, up to $2,000,000 is available for this grant program, and we anticipate awarding approximately 20 grants

Arts & Culture Grant Program

Our Arts & Culture Grant Program will consider proposals that strengthen the arts and culture sector to serve all individuals and communities across the East Metro and Greater Minnesota.

The Foundation believes that all peoples, their cultures, and their art contribute to the meaning and understanding of our humanity and should be honored and celebrated.

Priority will be given to arts and culture organizations that seek to amplify narratives that address challenges facing communities experiencing marginalization (e.g., BIPOC communities, people with disabilities, low-income communities, LGBTQIA+ communities, formerly incarcerated communities and more) through the arts. Additional focus will be on organizations that play integral roles in the health, wellness and vitality of their communities.

Grant Details

Grant amounts will be $100,000 per year for a five-year grant period, for total grant amounts of $500,000 per grantee

In 2026, up to $1,000,000 is available for this grant program, and we anticipate awarding approximately 10 grants

Minnesota Department of Agriculture

The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) has served our state for more than 125 years. The work we do touches every Minnesota citizen every day.

Our mission is to enhance all Minnesotans’ quality of life by equitably ensuring the integrity of our food supply, the health of our environment, and the strength and resilience of our agricultural economy.

Our three general areas of responsibility include:

• Protecting our food supply;
• Protecting our natural resources; and,
• Cultivating our agricultural economy.

Biofertilizer Innovation and Efficiency Pilot Program

The Biofertilizer Innovation and Efficiency Pilot Program provides incentive payments to farmers for reducing the application rate of commercial nitrogen fertilizer when using a qualifying biofertilizer product and incorporating innovative technologies into their crop nutrient management. The program is available for the 2026 and 2027 growing seasons. 

The program is open for all agricultural crops that have a recommended nitrogen fertilizer rate published by the University of Minnesota. Recommended rates can be found by crop, Crop-specific nutrient needs | University of Minnesota. 

Payment Rate and Crops

Farmers meeting program requirements will receive a payment of $15 per acre.

The maximum amount of land each farm entity can enroll is up to 3,000 acres. The MDA reserves the right to limit the number of acres enrolled per applicant based on the number of applications received.

Qualifying Biofertilizer Products

The biofertilizer product(s) used is at the discretion of the farmer when the following requirements are met:

• The product must be registered as a specialty fertilizer, soil or plant amendment, or licensed as a fertilizer with the Minnesota Department of Agriculture, and
• The product label must specify that the product provides a source of nitrogen or nutrients supplied by microorganisms such as bacteria and fungi.

Visit the Registered Product Search to find products holding a current registration in Minnesota.

The intent of the program is to improve nitrogen management and incorporate innovative technologies, so compost or a continued use of legume inoculants will not be eligible under the program. 

Building resilient rural communities.

Supporting communities across southern Minnesota and northern Iowa.

The mission of the Taylor Family Farms Foundation is to collaborate with knowledgeable and trusted philanthropic partners to build resilient rural communities.

We believe that strong partnerships and local insight are essential to creating lasting impact. By working alongside experienced organizations, we ensure resources are directed where they are needed most.

Fall 2026 Grant Cycle Details

Grant Guidelines and Eligibility

Reliable emergency services are essential to every community. In rural areas, those services are often provided by volunteers who step forward when their neighbors need them most.

The Taylor Family Farms Foundation is now accepting grant applications from emergency services providers serving rural communities.

Eligible applicants include non-profit organizations, schools, and municipalities that are eligible to receive funding from a public foundation.