Best Grants for Charter Schools in Minnesota

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.

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 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 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, 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 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 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.

Minnesota Department of Transportation

In creating the Department of Transportation in 1976, the Legislature determined that MnDOT would be the principal agency to develop, implement, administer, consolidate and coordinate state transportation policies, plans and programs (Minn. Stat. Ch. 174).

MnDOT makes special efforts to consider the social, economic and environmental effects of its decisions and aggressively promotes the efficient use of energy resources for transportation purposes. It also maintains close working relationships with the many public and private individuals, groups and associations involved in transportation.

Safe Routes to School Planning Assistance Grant

The Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) will support SRTS plans for K-12 schools across Minnesota through planning assistance awards. Successful applicants will receive planning assistance provided by the Regional Development Organizations or a statewide planning consultant.

Learn more about SRTS planning of individual school plan, School Districtwide Plan, or community plan with several schools.

Plans will include:

• Student and Parent/Caregiver engagement
• Analysis of existing conditions and local data
• Prioritize potential infrastructure improvements and school-based education and encouragement strategies
• Identify school-based education and encouragement strategies

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

The National Girls and Women in Sports (NAGWS) Legacy Award, established by SHAPE America, honors exemplary contributions to increasing opportunities for women in sports. This annual award recognizes current SHAPE America members who submit impactful proposals related to women's sports, with a monetary prize of $1000. The award will be presented at the National Convention & Exposition, with a special deadline of November 1st. Nominations can include various initiatives aimed at empowering women in sports.

The Measurement and Evaluation Lifetime Achievement Award recognizes a distinguished SHAPE America professional who has significantly impacted measurement and evaluation in health and physical education. This prestigious award highlights the importance of scholarly achievement and the influence of national standards in enhancing educational practices. It aims to honor those who have dedicated their careers to improving the quality of health and physical education, ultimately promoting healthier lifestyles for students across the nation.

The Measurement and Evaluation Honor Award recognizes exceptional contributions by a SHAPE America professional towards the Measurement and Evaluation SIG's mission. This prestigious accolade celebrates those who advance health and physical education practices, inspiring educators to enhance student well-being. Eligibility requires current membership in SHAPE America and the Measurement and Evaluation SIG, ensuring that only dedicated professionals are honored. This award embodies the commitment to fostering excellence in educational environments, ultimately aiming to prepare all children to lead active, healthy lives.