Best Grants for Charter Schools in Minnesota

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, 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 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 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 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 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.

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 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.

The Read Across America State Affiliate Event Grant supports NEA state affiliates in enhancing coordinated events that celebrate diverse reading. This grant encourages proposals aimed at providing students with access to diverse books, addressing challenges such as curriculum bans. Activities may include guest readings, establishing diverse book clubs, and promoting literacy through community engagement. Applications are open only to state affiliates, with a strong emphasis on year-round reading awareness.

Minnesota 501(c)(3) nonprofits focused on K–12 education and related youth programs can receive US $2,500 - US $10,000 to advance their work through the Best Life Community Awards. Focused on community well-being, Altra Foundation invites organizations in eligible Minnesota counties to be nominated by Altra Federal Credit Union members who actively support them.

The OneAmerica Financial Community grant supports 501(c)(3) organizations focused on education, workforce development, safety, wellness, and community vibrancy. With a commitment to making a difference, OneAmerica aims to transform lives through strategic philanthropy. Their initiatives include disaster relief, arts support, and civic engagement, fostering resilient communities. By investing in meaningful change, they build a foundation for shared success across the country, ensuring that community needs are met and future generations thrive.

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.

Charter and other non-religious K-12 schools in southeastern Minnesota, or individual artists and culture bearers in the region, can secure US $2,000 - US $4,000 to host in-school arts residencies that supplement existing curricula. Grants from Southeastern Minnesota Arts Council help Minnesota K-12 education programs bring visual, performing, literary, and traditional arts into the school day.

Minnesota K–12 schools and youth programs focused on bluegrass music education can access funding through the IBMA Foundation’s Bill Breen Bluegrass Youth Education Fund. This flexible fund supports a variety of initiatives benefiting young people age 21 and under, which may include charter school music programs and related educational activities.

Minnesota higher-education faculty who mentor future K–12 educators can access recognition through the Mentor of the Year Award, honoring excellence in academic and professional guidance. Eligible nominees are full-time faculty and SHAPE America members for at least three years, nominated by their chair, dean, supervisor, colleagues, or students across the U.S. and territories.

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 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.

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 CAO Legislative Crisis Grant, funded by the National Education Association Staff Organization, is designed to support affiliates in creating and refining student-centered initiatives. Grants can be utilized for contract campaigns, new program development, or enhancing existing practices to improve sustainable learning conditions. This opportunity is exclusive to affiliates, ensuring a focused approach to advocacy and collective bargaining efforts that benefit students.

The C4O Organizing Grant, offered by the National Education Association Staff Organization, supports collaborative strategic organizing projects. It provides resources for training, coaching, and workshops aimed at enhancing member engagement and addressing equity in education. Eligible projects include those that align with NEA Strategic Goals, fostering leadership among members on critical issues affecting their practice. This grant aims to empower educators and improve opportunities for all students.