Best Grants for First Responders in Minnesota

The Auto Club Group Foundation focuses on creating a positive impact through grants that enhance traffic safety, driver education, and financial literacy across 14 U.S. states and two territories. With a mission rooted in community service, the foundation supports nonprofit organizations and government entities that align with its goals. Grants typically range from $5,000 to $15,000, addressing crucial areas such as traffic safety initiatives, financial literacy for K-12 students, and equitable access to driver education programs.

The Community Possible Grant Program by U.S. Bank aims to foster economic and workforce advancement, as well as safe and affordable housing. By partnering with 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations, the program seeks to drive lasting change within communities through collaborative grantmaking. Priority is given to organizations that promote diversity, equity, and inclusion, and that address multiple pillars of work, home, and play. This initiative reflects U.S. Bank's commitment to creating a more equitable society.

The Costco Wholesale Charitable Contributions program prioritizes support for children, education, and health services within local communities. Nonprofit organizations seeking assistance must be 501(c)(3) certified and focus on monetary requests. Applications are reviewed within 4-6 weeks, factoring in community needs and collaboration. However, Costco limits grants to 10% of the program budget and typically restricts organizations to one request per fiscal year. They do not fund individuals or direct aid for various specific purposes.

The Global Impact Cash Grants by Cisco Systems Foundation support innovative early-stage solutions aimed at addressing significant social problems. Targeting nonprofit and nongovernmental organizations, these grants focus on four key sectors: crisis response, education, economic empowerment, and climate regeneration. Eligible organizations must demonstrate alignment with these areas, particularly serving underserved communities. The foundation seeks to leverage technology for impactful solutions, ensuring sustainability and community resilience through strategic investments.

State Farm's Good Neighbor Citizenship Company Grants aim to enhance community safety, development, and education. Focused on long-term impact, they support initiatives in auto and home safety, disaster preparedness, affordable housing, and educational programs. Eligible recipients include nonprofits, educational institutions, and government entities. However, funding is not available for individuals, religious programs, or organizations outside the U.S. By addressing critical community needs, these grants foster safer and more resilient neighborhoods.

The Labcorp Charitable Foundation, a private 501(c)(3) entity, aims to enhance healthcare access and education for all. With grant opportunities focusing on food programs, healthcare services for underserved populations, and STEM initiatives, it seeks to support community health and well-being. Organizations eligible for funding must be U.S.-based and hold tax-exempt status. Requests are reviewed biannually, in March and September, to foster impactful community projects.

The Michael & Susan Dell Foundation provides grants to organizations focused on improving the lives of children in urban poverty in the U.S., India, and South Africa. They prioritize projects in education, health, and family economic stability. Grants typically do not exceed 25% of a project's budget or 10% of an organization's annual expenses. The foundation seeks to partner with organizations already making an impact, ensuring funding supports impactful social enterprises.

Roche Corporate Donations and Philanthropy (CDP) focuses on impactful projects that foster sustainable development, engage employees, and leverage Roche's expertise. Their philanthropic efforts prioritize humanitarian, educational, environmental, and cultural initiatives, aiming to build stronger communities and support innovative projects. Eligibility is limited to local organizations, while ineligible projects include those with political or religious ties. The foundation strives to create a positive societal impact through collaboration and strategic partnerships.

The Semnani Family Foundation, established in 1993, is dedicated to supporting marginalized communities worldwide through health, education, and disaster relief initiatives. Founded by Khosrow and Ghazaleh Semnani, it began by funding an orphanage in Romania. The foundation also operates locally, providing free healthcare through the Maliheh Free Clinic in Utah. Its commitment to human welfare drives impactful partnerships in countries such as Afghanistan, India, and South Africa, focusing on the most vulnerable populations.

The Sidney Stern Memorial Trust Grant supports charitable, scientific, medical, and educational organizations that are 501(c)(3) certified. This private funder emphasizes impactful service to diverse populations without discrimination. Grants must be utilized within the United States and cannot be awarded to individuals, political candidates, or lobbying efforts. The Trust is dedicated to enhancing the general welfare through soundly-managed initiatives that contribute significantly to community needs.

The Medical Education and Research Cost (MERC) Grant Program, initiated by the Minnesota Department of Health, supports clinical medical education across Minnesota. Established in 1996, this program addresses funding gaps for teaching facilities that face challenges in covering overhead costs not reimbursed by standard mechanisms. By providing essential funding, MERC helps sustain high-quality medical training and education, ensuring that Minnesota continues to cultivate skilled healthcare professionals.

The TJX Foundation Grants support nonprofit organizations located within 15 miles of a TJX store that align with their community mission. Eligible areas include basic needs, education for at-risk youth, workforce training, and safety from domestic violence. Organizations must be a registered 501(c)(3) for at least 12 months and have a nondiscrimination policy. Applications are invited through a Letter of Inquiry, with funding decisions based on community impact.

The Lawrence Foundation is a private family foundation established in 2000, dedicated to granting funds for environmental and human services causes. Eligible organizations include 501(c)(3) nonprofits and public schools, with grants typically ranging from $5,000 to $10,000. The foundation supports unrestricted grants for various projects, including disaster relief and environmental programs, but does not fund individuals or for-profit entities. Applications are evaluated based on alignment with the foundation's priorities.

Ameriprise Community Grants focus on supporting nonprofits that enhance community vitality and meet basic needs. With over 120 years of commitment to philanthropy, Ameriprise Financial engages employees in volunteerism and grantmaking. Key giving areas include hunger relief, housing stability, and community development. Priority is given to organizations with active volunteer engagement from Ameriprise advisors and employees, creating a meaningful impact on financial independence and community resilience.

The Nordstrom Community Grant focuses on supporting youth and families by providing over $1 million in grants annually. It aims to assist grassroots organizations that address essential community needs such as food, shelter, and clothing, as well as creating opportunities for economic mobility through mentorship and workforce development. Eligible organizations must be 501(c)(3) nonprofits located in areas where Nordstrom operates. Applications are encouraged for those meeting these criteria.

The Dr. Scholl Foundation offers grants annually to IRS 501(c)(3) organizations, primarily focusing on U.S. applicants. The foundation supports projects in education, social services, healthcare, civic and cultural initiatives, and environmental efforts. While the grant cycle runs from October 1 to March 1, it encourages innovative solutions to global challenges. Only one application per organization is accepted each year, and funding is limited to one year. Unqualified organizations, including political entities, are ineligible.

Maada’ookiing Grants provide up to $5,000 to support Native American-led community building initiatives. The program aims to strengthen culture and community among Native American peoples by fostering resilience and creative solutions. Guided by a Native American design team and an Advisory Board, Maada’ookiing emphasizes collaboration and relationship-building with Native nations. The grants focus on areas such as youth support, language preservation, and civic engagement, helping to bring community-identified issues to the forefront.

The Greater St. Cloud Public Safety Foundation Scholarship, offered by CommunityGiving, aims to support high school seniors, college students, and non-traditional students from Benton, Stearns, or Sherburne County in Minnesota. Eligible applicants should have a GPA of 2.5 or higher and pursue a degree in Criminal Justice or First Responder programs. This scholarship fosters leadership and community involvement, ensuring a lasting impact on public safety and local services.

Training registrations and stipend distribution for direct support workers

DHS, through its Disability Services Division, is seeking Proposals from qualified Responders to administer training registrations, enhanced rate and budget training verification and stipend distribution for direct support workers.

The term of any resulting contract is anticipated to be one year, from July 1, 2026, until June 30, 2027. STATE may extend the contract up to a total of five (5) years.

Background

Direct Support Workers (DSWs) who provide services through the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) programs Community First Services and Supports (CFSS) budget model, Personal Care Assistance (PCA) Choice, Consumer Directed Community Supports (CDCS), and the Consumer Support Grant (CSG) are eligible to receive stipends when they have meet certain requirements. Additionally, when DSWs complete qualifying trainings, the services they provide become eligible for an enhanced reimbursement rate or trigger an enhanced budget when they are provided to people using CFSS, PCA services, CDCS, or CSG who are eligible for a certain number of hours of PCA services.  

DSWs comprise many types of diversity, including but not limited to people with a wide variety of:

• Racial, cultural, spiritual and or religious backgrounds
• Linguistic backgrounds, including both languages and dialects and accents; 
• Geographic locations; 
• Levels of education; 
• Disabilities, including invisible disabilities; 
• Marital statuses; 
• Types of families; 
• Sexual orientations; 
• Ages; 
• Nationalities and all immigration statuses; 
• Members of tribal nations; 
• Different sexes, including transsexual and intersex individuals; and or 
• Different genders, including people who identify themselves as gender-fluid or gender-neutral. 

Funding Availability

Voluntary training registration funding: $ 30,000, cost of training ranges from $75 to $200 dollars each. Additional funding may be added if funding runs out prior to the end of FY27. 

Voluntary Training Stipend: $ 1,125,000, stipends in the amount of $750 for issuing 1,500 stipends. Additional stipend funding may be available depending on the remaining balance in FY26. 

Retention Stipend: $ 10,000,800, stipends in the amount of $1,200 for issuing 8,334 stipends. Additional stipend funding may be available depending on the remaining balance in FY26.  

• Total Administration Funding: $ 621,342 
• Total: $11,777,142

The McKnight Visual Artist Fellowships, administered by the Minneapolis College of Art and Design, support mid-career Minnesota artists through six annual $25,000 unrestricted grants. This initiative, backed by the McKnight Foundation, fosters artistic growth by connecting fellows with national critics and providing professional development opportunities. Since 1982, the program has aimed to enhance the artistic merit and career trajectories of visual artists, contributing significantly to Minnesota's vibrant arts community.

The J.W. Couch Foundation Grant focuses on supporting Wildlife Conservation nonprofit organizations that align with their mission of community betterment and environmental protection. The foundation seeks partnerships with organizations that promote animal wellbeing, early childhood education, teacher support, and outdoor activities. Eligible applicants must be registered 501(c)3 nonprofits or for-profit entities aligned with their charitable programs. This grant emphasizes collaboration and community engagement to create lasting impacts.

The O'Reilly Automotive Foundation Grant focuses on enhancing community welfare through philanthropic initiatives that support economic stability, workforce development, health services, and disaster relief. Established in 2020, the Foundation seeks to empower underrepresented individuals and organizations in the U.S. by addressing vital community needs. It particularly aims to provide assistance to nonprofits that foster positive change and improve quality of life for those in need, ensuring a lasting impact in local communities.

The Community Ties Giving Program by Union Pacific Foundation offers local grants aimed at enhancing community well-being through diverse funding priorities. These include safety initiatives, workforce development, community vitality, and environmental sustainability. The program emphasizes supporting organizations that promote diversity, equity, and inclusion, aiming to create impactful projects that resonate with Union Pacific's heritage and mission. Eligible applicants must be nonprofit organizations serving Union Pacific communities and demonstrate a clear need and capacity to deliver effective programming.

RFP: Provide Consultation Services for the Community First Services and Supports Program

The Minnesota Department of Human Services, through its Disability Services Division (STATE), is seeking Proposals from qualified Responders to provide Consultation Services for the Community First Services and Supports (CFSS) program. The term of any resulting contract is anticipated to be for up to five (5) years. 

The STATE is responsible for administering long-term services and support for people with disabilities and older adults under publicly funded programs. The STATE’s mission is to help people meet their basic needs so they can live in dignity and achieve their highest potential. Currently, such services and support are being administered through Personal Care Assistance (PCA) and Consumer Support Grant programs.  

The PCA program supports people who need help with day-to-day activities by providing personal care assistants to help with activities of daily living, behavior issues or other health related tasks. Such services are available to people with physical disabilities, chronic health conditions, behavioral diagnoses, and mental health illnesses, and allows these individuals to be more independent in their home, place of employment and community. PCA services under Minnesota Health Care Programs (MHCP) are delivered through approximately 600 MHCP enrolled providers. 

The Mutual of America Foundation Community Partnership Award honors exemplary nonprofit organizations in the U.S. that foster collaborative partnerships across sectors. Annually, a national competition showcases numerous organizations demonstrating impactful community partnerships. Six organizations receive recognition, including the Thomas J. Moran Award, which offers $100,000, and the Frances R. Hesselbein Award, granting $75,000. Since 1996, the award has acknowledged 262 partnerships, emphasizing Mutual of America's commitment to societal improvement through collaboration.

The Gupta Family Foundation Grant aims to empower disadvantaged individuals by providing financial support to organizations that foster self-reliance. Headquartered in Herndon, Virginia, the foundation offers grants ranging from $5,000 to over $250,000, prioritizing smaller organizations with a strong commitment to their missions. Eligibility typically includes US-based IRS 501(c)(3) entities, with operations extending to countries like India and Kenya. The foundation emphasizes mission alignment and effective resource allocation to ensure maximum impact.

Behavioral Health Division

The Behavioral Health Division (BHD) oversees Minnesota's mental health and substance abuse prevention and treatment services that are paid for with state and federal funds. To support these services, BHD awards grants to counties, tribes, and nongovernmental providers. Behavioral health services include prevention, treatment, short-term and long-term care, as well as home and community-based services. BHD manages about 700 grants annually.

Request for Proposals for a Grantee to Provide Opioid Epidemic Response Services

Objective of RFP

The Opiate Epidemic Response Advisory Council (OERAC), in conjunction with the Minnesota Department of Human Services, through its Behavioral Health Administration (STATE), is seeking Proposals from qualified Responders to provide services aimed at addressing the opioid epidemic in Minnesota. These services include prevention and harm reduction for opioid use disorder (OUD), expansion and enhancement of the continuum of care for opioid related substance use disorders (SUD), and chronic pain management and alternative treatments.

The term of any resulting contract is anticipated to be for three and a half (3.5) years. STATE may extend the contract up to a total of five (5) years.

OERAC and STATE have identified four categories to meet the purpose of this RFP, each containing multiple focus areas. The four categories available for funding under this RFP are:

• Category A– Primary Prevention and Education for Opioid Related Substance Use Disorders
• Category B – Harm Reduction Services
• Category C – Expansion and Enhancement of Continuum of Care for Opioid Related Substance Use
• Category D – Chronic pain and Alternative Treatments