Best Grants for Museums 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 Rupert Dunklau Foundation Grant supports organizations with 501(c)(3) status, focusing on Lutheran Higher Education, Health and Human Care, and Faith Strengthening. Since its establishment in 1968, the foundation has aimed to provide financial resources to ministries within the Lutheran tradition, particularly in Nebraska and surrounding states. Eligible projects must align with the foundation's mission to promote the welfare of mankind through educational and health initiatives.

Minnesota meat, poultry, egg, and milk processing businesses seeking to start up, modernize, or expand facilities can access funding through the AGRI Meat, Poultry, Egg, and Milk Processing Grant. Administered by the Minnesota Department of Agriculture, this program supports equipment and physical improvements that boost processing capacity, market diversification, and food safety, which may benefit museum-affiliated food programs.

Minnesota workforce development organizations and education–business partnerships can access funding for new and incumbent worker training through the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development. DEED provides Minnesota workforce preparation and job readiness programs with up to US $400,000 to develop cooperative training projects, create new jobs, and build career pathways that may benefit museum-related employment needs.

The Minnesota Job Skills Partnership, managed by the Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED), offers pre-development grants to support planning for large-scale training projects. Aimed at enhancing workforce skills in high-demand sectors, these grants provide up to $50,000 for institutions to expand their training capacity. This initiative encourages collaboration between businesses and educational entities to address skill gaps and improve job opportunities across Minnesota.

The Southeast Asian Economic Disparities Relief Competitive Grant aims to alleviate economic disparities within Southeast Asian communities by funding workforce recruitment, development, job creation, and capacity-building initiatives. Targeting individuals of Southeast Asian descent aged 18 and older, including Hmong, Lao, Vietnamese, and other groups, the grant seeks qualified proposals that enhance outreach and support smaller organizations in their efforts to serve these communities effectively.

The Bush Prize: Native Nations honors Native-led organizations committed to innovative solutions in their communities. Grants can reach up to $500,000, covering 25% of the organization’s previous fiscal year expenses. This annual award emphasizes collaboration and resourcefulness, supporting entities that are deeply valued in their communities and have proven success in addressing challenges. The program, a partnership with four community grant partners, aims to empower organizations in Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, and 23 Native Nations.

The Contamination Cleanup and Investigation Grant Program, administered by the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development, provides crucial funding to assist communities in assessing and remediating contaminated sites. Covering up to 75% of eligible costs, the grants support both public and private site redevelopment. Eligible applicants include cities, counties, and economic development authorities, focusing on projects that enhance the local tax base or facilitate essential public facilities.

The Joyce Foundation's Journalism Grants support independent, nonpartisan reporting to address critical issues in the Great Lakes region. By investing in high-quality journalism, the Foundation aims to promote informed decision-making and strengthen community cohesion. Eligible applicants include nonprofit journalism organizations and projects that enhance local news and support early career journalists, particularly those from diverse backgrounds. The application process requires advance planning, with funding decisions made quarterly.

The Sexual and Reproductive Health Services (SRHS) grant program, established by the Minnesota Legislature in 1978, aims to enhance access to sexual and reproductive health care across Minnesota. The program addresses barriers such as poverty, discrimination, and lack of transportation. Funded biannually, SRHS supports various services including contraceptive counseling, outreach, and referrals. With an estimated annual funding of $4.5 million for new applicants, the program seeks to improve the health outcomes of marginalized communities.

The Legal Services Advisory Committee (LSAC) Grant provides essential funding for legal services and alternative dispute resolution programs aimed at low-income clients across Minnesota. With support from state legislature appropriations and attorney fees, LSAC ensures access to legal support, serving nearly 50,000 clients annually. The FY24-25 cycle will focus on general operating grants in various categories, including staff legal services and private attorney involvement, thereby enhancing the availability of justice for vulnerable populations.

The Archie D & Bertha H Walker Foundation supports nonprofits addressing systemic racism and promoting arts. Established in 1953, the foundation aims to enhance community welfare by funding organizations that dismantle barriers to equity and foster artistic expression. Eligible applicants must hold 501(c)(3) status and operate within specified counties in the Minnesota Twin Cities area. The foundation does not accept unsolicited proposals, focusing instead on impactful community engagement.

Eligible artists must identify as being of transgender experience and Black, Indigenous, and/or a person of color, and we strongly encourage artists who also identify as disabled, LGBTQ+, and/or undocumented to apply. Projects should be in the development stage and can be fiction or nonfiction, including features or shorts. The applicant should be the main writer and/or director on the project and should identify as “emerging,” which Sundance Institute defines as yet to complete a long-form or major work in the specific discipline in question. 

Two artists will be selected from Minnesota or New York City.

The Pediatric Primary Care Mental Health Training Grant Program, established by Minnesota Statutes Sec. 144.1509, aims to enhance pediatric mental health training within outpatient primary care clinics. This initiative seeks to bolster the skills, confidence, and awareness of mental health resources among providers. Ultimately, the program aspires for pediatric patients to receive improved, timely, and continuous mental health care in participating clinics, addressing their unique healthcare needs effectively.

The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) is soliciting proposals for community-based substance misuse and suicide prevention coalitions in Minnesota, which will serve the needs of Minnesotans at risk of substance misuse and suicide, with a specific focus on youth. The applicant will develop a data driven plan to decrease substance misuse and suicidal experiences for youth, ages 10-24. This will be done by coordinating a multi-sector coalition, that will develop a plan to address shared risk and protective factors for substance misuse and suicidal experiences.

About the Foundation 

The Minnesota Nurses Association Foundation (MNAF), a non-profit corporation affiliated with the Minnesota Nurses Association, awards scholarships and grants each year to advance the nursing profession and create more opportunities for students to achieve their goals.About the Grant

The Minnesota Nurses Association Foundation (MNAF) provides funding to MNA members to support research focused on nursing that relate to the Minnesota Nurses Association Organizational Goals and Priorities.MNA Issues and Advocacy

• Advocacy - MNA members advocate for their patients, profession, and communities through lobbying legislators at the State Capitol and endorsing nurse champions who will support nurse priorities.
• Education - MNA offers a wide range of learning opportunities to expand your personal and professional growth through the Continuing Education Program.
• Nursing Practice - MNA promotes, guards, and advances standards of practice and advocates for the effective and appropriate understanding and implementation of professional nursing practice.

Minnesota Library Foundation (MLF) Scholarship

The Minnesota Library Foundation is excited to announce a new scholarship opportunity for Minnesota library staff!

MLF encourages career development by funding a scholarship for a Minnesota library staff worker to grow professionally through taking college or university courses that would lead to acquiring a degree or certificate in the library field. 

The MLF Governing Board establishes the guidelines for this scholarship and selects the recipients. The scholarship amount awarded is up to $1,000.00 per successful applicant.

Students connected to the Minnesota Nurses Association in Minnesota can receive support for nursing and higher education costs through the Alex Pretti Honor Scholarship, offering up to $5,000. With a mission to honor Alex Pretti’s ideals, Minnesota Nurses Association Foundation provides eligible MNA members and their dependents with scholarship funding that museum-affiliated nursing students may be able to pursue.

The Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota Foundation's Healthy Start Grant Program aims to enhance early childhood care and education by funding tax-exempt nonprofits, Tribal Nations, and fiscally sponsored groups in Minnesota. With a total of $2 million over two years, grants of up to $100,000 per year will support initiatives to improve access to quality care, screenings, and family support services, ultimately addressing health inequities and fostering healthy development for vulnerable children.

Support Innovation in Community Based Mental Health Services

DHS, though its Behavioral Health Administration, is seeking to innovate and improve accessibility and quality of community-based, outpatient mental health services and reduce the number of clients admitted to regional treatment centers and community behavioral health hospitals.

DHS is seeking to Support Innovation in Community Based Mental Health Services.

DHS, though its Behavioral Health Administration, is seeking to innovate and improve accessibility and quality of community-based, outpatient mental health services and reduce the number of clients admitted to regional treatment centers and community behavioral health hospitals.

The term of any resulting contract is anticipated to be for two years, from January 1, 2027 until December 31, 2028. STATE may extend the contract up to a total of five (5) years, subject to the availability of funds and contract performance. 

Funding Availability

Approximately $2,225,000 is available to qualified grantees; $1,112,500 will be awarded to qualified grantees covering rural Minnesota and $1,112,500 will be awarded to qualified grantees covering metro Minnesota. An applicant may apply for, and the commissioner may award grants for two-year periods. The commissioner may reallocate underspending among grantees within the same grant period. The mental health innovation account is established under Minnesota Statutes, section 246.18 for ongoing funding.

The Minnesota Jobs Skills Partnership (MJSP) offers a Partnership Grant Program aimed at enhancing workforce training and development in high-demand sectors. Grants of up to $400,000 are available for accredited educational institutions partnering with businesses to create tailored training programs. These funds can cover essential training costs, ensuring that Minnesota's workforce remains competitive and skilled. The initiative aims to foster collaboration between businesses and educational entities, addressing the state's evolving workforce needs effectively.

The Minnesota Job Skills Partnership Pathways Program aims to provide training and career opportunities for individuals with incomes at or below 200% of the federal poverty guidelines. Grants of up to $400,000 support projects that include partnerships between businesses and accredited Minnesota educational institutions. Funds can cover training-related costs but not wage subsidies or tuition reimbursement. This program is essential for fostering workforce development and enhancing the skills of low-income individuals, ultimately aiding their transition into sustainable employment.

The Clinical Preparation for International Medical Graduates Grant Program, authorized by Minnesota Statutes Section 144.1911, aims to support immigrant international medical graduates (IMGs) in overcoming barriers to practice. This initiative facilitates their integration into Minnesota's healthcare workforce by preparing them for medical residency programs, ultimately enhancing access to primary care in rural and underserved areas. By leveraging IMGs' diverse backgrounds, the program promotes culturally responsive healthcare services across Minnesota.

The Minnesota Rural Hospital Flexibility Program Quality and Population Health Grant aims to enhance rural healthcare delivery through innovative strategies. Funded by HRSA, it assists critical access hospitals (CAHs) in improving quality, implementing MBQIP, and advancing population health initiatives. The next funding cycle is anticipated in 2029, providing an opportunity for rural communities to enhance healthcare services and build capacity in emergency medical services and health professional collaboration.

The Job Training Incentive Program, operated by the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED), offers grants to businesses in Greater Minnesota for workforce training. Eligible companies can receive up to $200,000 to train new employees, provided they create at least three jobs that pay above federal poverty guidelines. This initiative aims to enhance economic growth and improve job quality in the region.

The Low Income Worker Training Program, offered by the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development, provides essential job-specific training grants of up to $200,000 for entities helping low-income individuals. This initiative aims to enhance workforce development by enabling individuals earning at or below 200% of federal poverty guidelines to acquire skills necessary for higher-paying jobs. The program supports training-related materials and certification fees, promoting economic self-sufficiency in Minnesota.

The Automation Training Incentive Program, offered by the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED), provides grants up to $35,000 to small businesses in manufacturing or skilled production. This initiative supports training for incumbent workers on new automation technologies. Eligible businesses must be located outside the seven-county metropolitan area or in specific cities. The program aims to enhance workforce quality and job creation in Minnesota.