Best Olmsted County Grants for Nonprofits in Minnesota

In collaboration with Cummins Inc., the American Library Association (ALA) invites applications from U.S. public libraries to participate in A Year of STEM, 12 months of curated STEM programming to foster curiosity and STEM-mindedness in early childhood learners across the country. 

Twenty-five libraries will be chosen to participate in A Year of STEM, receiving professional development to prepare them for the project, copies of a newly created A Year of STEM programming guide developed by librarian advisors, a $5,000 programming stipend, four STEM kits (to be delivered quarterly), and support from ALA’s Public Programs Office staff throughout the project implementation period.

LRPenn.com is home to the novels, plays, and screenplays of LR Penn. His books specializes in Thrillers, Dramatic Comedies, and Film Noir. Thanks to the generous support of our sponsors, grants may be available to nonprofit theater companies in the United States with 501(c)(3) status that are staging productions of plays written by LR Penn.  

The NIJ FY 2026 Research and Evaluation on School Safety funding opportunity aims to support essential research and evaluations focused on enhancing K-12 safety. Key areas of interest include anonymous reporting systems for threats of school violence and the establishment of threat assessment teams. Applicants are encouraged to collaborate with educators and communities to develop effective solutions and assess the impact of various safety initiatives, thereby contributing valuable insights to school safety practices.

About

Raptor Research Foundation

The Raptor Research Foundation (RRF) is the world’s largest professional society for raptor researchers and conservationists. Founded in 1966 as a non-profit organization, our primary goal is the accumulation and dissemination of scientific information about raptors. The Foundation organizes annual scientific conferences and provides competitive grants and awards for researchers and conservationists. The Foundation also provides support and networking opportunities for students and early career raptor researchers.

Tom Cade Conservation Award

The Award:

The Tom Cade Conservation Award is the Raptor Research Foundation’s premiere conservation award. This non-monetary award recognizes an individual who has made significant advances in or exceptional contributions to the conservation of raptors. The award’s scope includes all aspects of conservation science and practice pertaining to raptors, including: implementing population restoration programs; advances in captive propagation and reintroduction techniques; identifying conservation biology problems and solutions; raptor biodiversity studies; and studies of rare, threatened, and endangered species. Nominations will open in the spring. Recipients will be announced at the annual meeting.

About Tom Cade:

Tom Cade was an icon and hero to us all. His passion for falcons knew no bounds. One of the founders of the Raptor Research Foundation, he was the driving force behind the reintroduction of the Peregrine Falcon east of the Mississippi and across much of its North American range. The Peregrine Fund, which he created with the recovery of a single endangered species—the Peregrine Falcon—as its goal, has grown into a conservation organization with a worldwide reach and global impact. 

About

Raptor Research Foundation

The Raptor Research Foundation (RRF) is the world’s largest professional society for raptor researchers and conservationists. Founded in 1966 as a non-profit organization, our primary goal is the accumulation and dissemination of scientific information about raptors. The Foundation organizes annual scientific conferences and provides competitive grants and awards for researchers and conservationists. The Foundation also provides support and networking opportunities for students and early career raptor researchers.

Early-career Raptor Researcher Travel Grants

The Award:

The selection committee must receive all application materials by the deadline for regular abstracts. That date is included in the announcement of RRF’s annual meeting sent each year to the membership.

• $700.
• The award will also include a free 1-year membership to RRF. 

up to three.

Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA)

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.

Minnesota Down Payment Assistance Grant

The Minnesota Down Payment Assistance Grant offers up to $20,000 for qualified farmers to purchase their first farm. The grant program is administered by the Minnesota Department of Agriculture's (MDA) Rural Finance Authority (RFA) as part of the RFA's mission to develop the state's agricultural resources.

The intent of the grant program is to help farmers invest in farm ownership. With the average age of farmers rising in our state, farm succession and legacy planning are increasingly important to the sector. The program is authorized under Minn. Stat. 17.133 41A.12 and funded through Laws of Minnesota, 2025, Regular Session, Chapter 34, Article 1, Section 2, Subdivision 4(c).

CSFS - Statewide Organics Management Programs Grant

Minnesota climate smart food systems (CSFS)

The MPCA has approximately $6 million available to support organics management programs across the state that will expand participation in Minnesota’s organics recycling system and reduce the amount of wasted food and food scraps disposed of through landfilling or incineration. Grant funding will support projects focused on organics collection programs, outreach and education that improve or increase organics recycling, and/or market development for finished compost and anaerobic digestion outputs. Projects focusing primarily on organics processing facilities such as compost sites and anaerobic digesters are not eligible. 

Available funds

Total available funds: $6 million. Applicants must match at least 20% of the grant request with cash or in-kind contributions. 

Large projects ($5 million):

• maximum award: $1.5 million
• minimum award: $300,000

Smaller projects ($1 million):

• maximum award: $299,999
• minimum award: $100,000 (applicants requesting less than the minimum amount will be deemed ineligible)

The FY 2027-2028 NESDIS Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) invites innovative research, education, and outreach projects that support NOAA's mission without directly benefiting the agency. With funding contingent on appropriations, applicants are notified that funds are not yet available. This announcement also emphasizes the importance of environmental and cultural resource stewardship, enabling informed decision-making for public lands and trust resources, while ensuring NOAA remains responsive to changes in our natural systems.

The Notice of Intent to Issue NOFO DE-FOA-0003649 aims to leverage domestic infrastructure to enhance the production of alternative chemicals, fuels, and feedstocks. This initiative by the DOE encourages innovative technologies that utilize existing biomass resources, aiming to advance energy innovation and expand energy production. The potential NOFO will support the creation of stable liquid products from biomass, establish pilot sites for hydrogen-natural gas blending, and promote the production of market-competitive commodity chemicals.

This funding opportunity invites applications for Testing Centers focused on evaluating somatic cell genome editing technologies for translational applications. These centers will provide essential resources and testing services to researchers, ensuring the efficacy and safety of novel genome editing methods. By developing innovative in vivo and in vitro models, the centers aim to enhance scientific rigor and reproducibility in biomedical research, ultimately supporting the advancement of therapeutics for human diseases.

The National Institute on Aging intends to publish a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) to solicit applications for the Coordinating Center (CC) of the Claude D. Pepper Older Americans Independence Centers (OAIC) program. The CC serves as a facilitator for OAIC site interactions and as a conduit for translating OAIC objectives and findings to both scientific and general audiences. The proposed CC must demonstrate an ability to work cooperatively with all OAIC sites and possess sufficient scientific expertise in geriatrics and related areas to serve the national coordination functions of the OAIC program. Applicants should have a demonstrated ability to coordinate multi-site projects.Applications are not being solicited at this time. Notice is being provided to allow potential applicants sufficient time to develop meaningful collaborations and responsive projects. This NOFO will utilize the U24 activity code. Investigators with expertise and insights into this area of aging research are encouraged to begin to consider applying for this new NOFO.

FTA Section 5310 Enhanced Mobility of Seniors and Individuals with Disabilities Program – Vehicle Capital Program 

The Vehicle Capital Program supports the purchase of transit bus(s), minivan(s) and full-size van(s). This opportunity includes Federal Transit Administration (FTA) grant funding financial assistance administered by MnDOT. It's an opportunity to apply for Formula Grants for Enhanced Mobility for Seniors and Individuals with Disabilities (FTA Section 5310) funding as part of the Public Transit Participation Program.

Merck Foundation

The Merck Foundation is dedicated to advancing access to health by supporting innovative programs and partnerships to improve the health and well-being of people around the world.

Helping build stronger health systems and address barriers to high-quality care

Through our programs, we believe that by working closely with governments, donors, patient groups, healthcare professionals, nonprofit organizations, academic institutions, multilateral agencies, the private sector and others, we can help build stronger health systems that provide better care.

Community Collaborative for Reimagining HIV Care: Call for Proposals

Overview

The Merck Foundation (the “Foundation”) is pleased to announce the launch of the Community Collaborative for Reimagining HIV Care (the “Collaborative”), a five-year national initiative to improve timely access to and continuity of high-quality, person-centered care for people living with HIV in under-resourced communities across the United States.

Through this Call for Proposals, the Foundation will select eligible organizations to implement innovative, community-centered programs that address the evolving needs of people living with HIV.

The Foundation for Physical Therapy Research offers the Promotion of Doctoral Studies Scholarships for doctoral candidates, providing up to $15,000 annually. This scholarship supports students who have completed their coursework and exams, aiming to foster impactful research careers in physical therapy. Applicants may receive a total of $30,000 during their candidacy phase, with a maximum of $45,000 throughout their doctoral program. This initiative prioritizes academic excellence and alignment with APTA research priorities.

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) is providing a funding opportunity for research aimed at restoring cisco populations in Lakes Huron and Erie. This involves hiring a structured decision-making expert and facilitating a workshop for fisheries managers to create a restoration plan. Additionally, a scientist will be engaged to conduct experiments to identify optimal environmental conditions for producing high-quality cisco in hatcheries, enhancing reintroduction efforts.

This project aims to develop a robust method for correcting solution chemistry interferences in electrochemical sensor measurements of complex environmental water matrices. By employing a ratiometric comparison approach, it seeks to enhance the detection of harmful contaminants like PFAS in drinking water. This initiative aligns with the priority of safeguarding public health through early detection and informed decision-making, ultimately ensuring access to safe, clean drinking water for communities.

The OJP FY 2026 Special Attorneys Program aims to enhance the capacity of state, local, Tribal, and territorial prosecuting agencies by funding qualified prosecutors to address fraud and crimes committed by aliens in the U.S. This program supports hiring investigators and other staff to bolster law enforcement efforts. It promotes intergovernmental coordination and aims to improve the effectiveness of prosecutorial actions against drug and human trafficking, thereby strengthening public safety and justice.

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) offers a funding opportunity for CESU partners to conduct research on national-scale biogeographic information for aquatic organisms. This project aims to enhance species distribution models and habitat assessments using advanced analytical methods and artificial intelligence. By aligning with Department of the Interior priorities, it supports informed conservation decisions for aquatic ecosystems and species management, benefiting local communities and scientific collaboration.

This project aims to enhance the management of freshwater habitats in the Northwest, vital for native fish like bull trout and salmon. By developing a predictive modeling tool, it addresses threats from non-native species and environmental changes. The initiative aligns with federal conservation efforts and prioritizes science-based strategies to safeguard ecosystems and support recreational fishing, benefiting both local economies and tribal resources.

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) is inviting a CESU partner to research chronic wasting disease (CWD) management in the northeastern and western United States. This initiative aims to develop decision support tools to anticipate CWD's arrival and spread, enhancing strategic planning and targeted actions like surveillance and culling. By aligning with executive orders and existing plans, the project seeks to improve efficiency in managing wildlife diseases and ensuring healthy ecosystems, thereby supporting local communities economically.

The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) aims to enhance its mission through the Implementation and Evaluation of Databases to Examine AIDS Consortium. This initiative merges clinical, genomic, and epidemiologic data to foster evidence-based research and implementation science. By leveraging advanced data science and AI technologies, the consortium addresses HIV morbidity and mortality, improving prevention and treatment strategies. This work aligns with the U.S. Ending the HIV Epidemic initiative, ensuring impactful contributions to public health.

The NIJ FY 2026 Evaluation of the Effectiveness of the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) Byrne State Crisis Intervention Program (SCIP) aims to fund research assessing the effectiveness of crisis intervention initiatives. This opportunity supports evaluations across various program areas, including mental health courts and ERPO programs. Applicants must propose a two-phased strategy: Evaluability Assessments followed by a comprehensive evaluation of the SCIP's effectiveness, ensuring applications are responsive to funding requirements.

The NIJ FY 2026 Crime and Justice Research funding opportunity invites applications for innovative research aimed at enhancing the effectiveness of the adult criminal justice system. It comprises two main categories: one focuses on new programs and strategies to improve workforce readiness, while the other assesses the impact of the COPS De-escalation Training Program. This initiative seeks to foster safety and operational improvements within law enforcement.

The NIJ FY 2026 Research and Evaluation on Justice System Responses to Illegal Immigration invites proposals for impactful research on the adult criminal justice system's response to illegal immigration. This initiative aims to explore innovative solutions and evaluate their effectiveness across various jurisdictions, focusing on challenges like location, apprehension, and crime prevention. By fostering collaboration among federal, state, local, and tribal entities, the program seeks to enhance strategies that address illegal immigration effectively.

The NIJ FY 2026 Research on Gender Dysphoria and Violent Crime funding opportunity aims to support crucial research exploring the connections between gender dysphoria and violent behavior. This initiative seeks to fill gaps in empirical evidence, focusing on aspects such as prevalence rates of violent crime, post-conviction analyses, and the impact of comorbidities on violence. Researchers are encouraged to conduct retrospective data analyses to better understand these complex relationships and inform future treatment and intervention strategies.

The OJJDP FY 2026 Opioid Affected Youth Initiative provides funding to support states and localities in combating violent crime and overdose deaths. This initiative aims to enhance prevention, intervention, and treatment strategies for children, youth, and families impacted by substance use disorders. Collaboration among law enforcement, educational institutions, and community organizations is essential to effectively address the needs of at-risk populations and those already involved in the child welfare and justice systems.

The OJJDP FY 2026 Strategies to Support Children Exposed to Violence program aims to implement effective violence reduction strategies targeting juvenile offenders. This initiative focuses on enhancing community capabilities to assist children affected by violence in various environments, including homes and schools. By strengthening local responses to child victimization, the program seeks to diminish the incidence of violence and alleviate the long-term adverse effects that such exposure can have on children's well-being.