Best Grants for Charter Schools in Minnesota

Minnesota K–12 schools, charter schools, and 501(c)(3) nonprofits running after-school or out-of-school youth programs or operating food banks/pantries can access funding through Aldi Foundation’s Community Gift Card Program. Awards of US $100 - US $1,000 provide ALDI gift cards to support youth development, education, arts, athletics, nutrition, and food security efforts.

K–12 schools, higher education institutions, and 501(c)(3) nonprofits in Minnesota can seek support for programs advancing educational equity for children and youth. Grants from Ciresi Walburn Foundation help Minnesota education organizations expand high-performing schools, diversify the educator workforce, and improve access to literacy, early learning, tutoring, and family engagement initiatives, excluding tech-only projects.

Minnesota school districts, tribally controlled schools, and charter schools can seek funding to expand Pre-AP, AP, and IB STEM programs that boost K–12 achievement for historically underserved students. With a mission to strengthen K–12 education, Minnesota Department of Education provides up to US $75,000 to increase participation in rigorous science, technology, engineering, and math coursework.

Minnesota K–12 organizations creating cultural and ethnic studies materials for underrepresented, primarily oral-language communities can receive up to US $472,000 in Minnesota. The Minnesota Humanities Center provides funding to develop resources for students, with applicants needing a support letter from a Minnesota licensed teacher or school district official, which may benefit charter schools.

Developing and newly operational charter schools in Minnesota can access funding for planning, program design, and initial implementation through the Charter Schools Program Start-Up Grant. Grants from Minnesota Department of Education support eligible local education agencies with up to US $2,000,000 over three years to launch new charter schools.

Minnesota school districts, charter schools, tribally controlled schools, intermediate districts, and cooperative units can seek up to US $50,000 to develop, evaluate, and implement new grades 5–12 ethnic studies courses. Focused on K-12 curriculum development, the Minnesota Department of Education offers three levels of support for collaborative, district-level, and school-level projects statewide.

Minnesota schools, early childhood programs, and youth-serving nonprofits can seek funding for direct services, research, and systems change that support at-risk children’s safety, mental health, and learning. Grants from Sauer Family Foundation help Minnesota K–12 and child welfare organizations strengthen family relationships, build emotionally safe school environments, and address trauma for children and youth.

Minnesota 501(c)(3) nonprofits, K–12 schools, colleges, universities, and public libraries offering family literacy programs can seek up to US $10,000 to support adult education, children’s education, and parent–child together time. Dollar General Literacy Foundation supports K–12 education and literacy within 15 miles of its stores in eligible Minnesota communities.

Minnesota K–12 education and safety organizations can access funding through the Auto Club Group Foundation to support traffic safety, driver education, and financial literacy initiatives. Eligible applicants include 501(c)(3) nonprofits, school districts, colleges, universities, and public agencies, with awards of US $5,000 - US $15,000 for programs serving communities within the foundation’s multistate footprint.

Minnesota 501(c)(3) nonprofits offering K–12 or youth education, basic needs, housing, healthcare, or related community services can apply for the Fred C and Katherine B Andersen Foundation’s flexible operating, program, or project funding. Charter schools and supporting organizations in the St. Croix Valley region may be especially competitive if they document local service impact.

Minnesota K–12 school districts and early childhood education centers can seek funding to start or expand Farm to School and Early Care efforts featuring Minnesota-grown foods. Focused on farm-to-school programming, the Minnesota Department of Agriculture offers US $2,500 - US $5,000 to trial local products, host special meals, and increase local items on menus.

Early-stage U.S. PK–12 public education organizations developing innovative supports for students with learning differences can apply for NewSchools Venture Fund’s Learning Differences Grant Program, with awards of US $150,000 - US $250,000. Minnesota charter schools working on K–12 learning solutions, special education teacher development, or postsecondary readiness for these students may be eligible.

Minnesota K–12 schools and charter schools seeking to expand student mental health support services can apply for grants that fund on-campus mental health professionals and performance-based awards. School-Based Healthcare Solutions Network provides US $5,000 - US $25,000 to under-resourced schools serving grades 6–12, prioritizing campuses with high economic need, chronic absenteeism, and significant behavioral or academic challenges.

Middle and high school science teachers in Minnesota and other U.S. locations can receive up to US $3,000 to improve chemical safety in their classrooms and labs, including curriculum, training, and infrastructure. The American Chemical Society funds safety workshops, PPE, professional development, CHO training, inventory systems, consultants, and substitute coverage.

The Fund for Teachers Fellowship empowers educators to design personalized learning experiences that enhance their professional skills and student engagement. With over 20 years of experience, this initiative has supported more than 10,000 teachers, enabling them to transform their classrooms through unique fellowship opportunities. Eligible applicants include full-time teachers in the U.S. who have at least three years of teaching experience and plan to return to the classroom after their fellowship. This fellowship fosters innovative teaching practices and collaborative growth.

The Chrysalis Fund, managed by the Entomological Society of America, supports K-12 educators in fostering youth interest in insect science. Grants can cover various project expenses, including supplies and travel costs. Funding levels include micro-grants (under $500), regular grants ($500-$999), and large grants ($1,000-$2,500). This initiative encourages innovative educational programs that engage students with entomology, enhancing their learning experience and promoting science education.

The White-Reinhardt Grant offers funding for projects that enhance agricultural literacy among K-12 students. With grants of up to $1,000 available, state and county Farm Bureaus can initiate new educational programs or expand existing ones. This initiative, supported by the American Farm Bureau Federation and its Women’s Leadership Committee, honors the contributions of Berta White and Linda Reinhardt, aiming to bolster agricultural knowledge across the nation.

The NIH Science Education Partnership Award (SEPA) fosters innovative educational initiatives aimed at pre-college students, promoting their interest in STEM fields, especially in biomedical and behavioral sciences. This program supports both classroom projects and informal science education activities, such as after-school programs and library events. Emphasizing the development of quantitative and computational skills, SEPA seeks to inspire the next generation of scientists and thinkers through engaging educational experiences.

The Christina Sue Lilja Resource Grants support agricultural literacy by providing funds for educators to purchase resources from the Ag Foundation store. In 2025, 100 educators will receive $100 in store credits, selected randomly if applications exceed this number. This initiative, backed by the CSL Foundation, honors Christy Lilja's legacy of advocating for agricultural education. The grants aim to enhance classroom resources and improve students' understanding of agriculture, ensuring access to accurate information.

The Ruth Danley and William Enoch Moore Charitable Fund Grant is a private foundation based in Pittsburgh, established in 1992. It focuses on philanthropy, specifically supporting K-12 education for Native American children living on reservations. The foundation directs its grants primarily to regions preferred by donors, including several states in the Northeast and Midwest, aiming to improve educational opportunities and foster community development in underserved populations.