Best Water Grants in Minnesota

Agricultural producers, forest landowners, Tribes, and water management entities in Minnesota can apply for USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service’s Environmental Quality Incentives Program to fund conservation practices on working lands. Support includes technical and financial assistance to improve water quality, manage water resources, enhance soil health, and create or restore wildlife habitat on eligible agricultural and forest lands.

Minnesota 501(c)(3) organizations with annual budgets of at least $300,000 can apply for Patrick & Aimee Butler Family Foundation’s two-year community grants, awarding more than US $20,000 for general operating or program support. Eligible projects focus on land and water stewardship, including water quality protection, improvement, and related youth education across Minnesota.

Minnesota freshwater and water policy organizations can access funding through the Joyce Foundation to advance Great Lakes and drinking water priorities. Grants support policy and advocacy work on clean, affordable drinking water, water infrastructure, runoff reduction, and Great Lakes protection, with emphasis on environmental justice and communities of color across the Great Lakes states.

Non-governmental nonprofits and tribal governments in Minnesota can seek funding to protect and restore water quality, with awards ranging from US $50,000 - US $250,000. With a mission to safeguard lakes, rivers, streams, groundwater, and drinking water, the Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources supports projects like workshops, rain gardens, shoreline protection, and prescribed grazing.

Nonprofit or conservation organizations providing technical assistance for freshwater conservation and water resource management in Minnesota can apply for competitive grants of US $250,000 - US $750,000. National Fish and Wildlife Foundation funding supports regenerative agriculture practices on private lands, helping landowners plan, implement conservation best practices, and participate in Farm Bill programs that benefit soil, water, and wildlife.

Commercial urban farmers in Minnesota can receive US $500 - US $5,000 to implement on-farm conservation practices that improve soil, water, and plant and animal health. Minnesota Department of Agriculture’s Urban Farm Conservation Mini-Grant funds equipment, materials, and services such as soil testing, micro irrigation, rainwater management, composting, and pollinator-friendly plantings.

Minnesota 501(c)(3) nonprofits working on freshwater conservation, watershed health, and environmental justice can access funding through the Mortenson Family Foundation to sustain healthy land and water. Grants may support direct services, education, policy, and multi-year efforts that center climate and racial justice, particularly for BIPOC and historically marginalized communities.

Minnesota public entities working on water quality or drinking water protection projects in Minnesota can seek funding for on-the-ground implementation efforts. Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources provides more than US $30,000 for projects such as stormwater practices, agricultural conservation, lakeshore and streambank stabilization, stream restoration, SSTS upgrades, and land treatment to protect or improve drinking water sources.

State and local governments, private nonprofits, and federally recognized tribes in rural Minnesota can apply for USDA: Rural Development’s Water & Waste Disposal funding to build or improve drinking water, sewage, solid waste, and stormwater systems. Support may also cover related legal, engineering, land, equipment, and start-up costs for eligible water projects.

Minnesota organizations managing local environmental or water-quality projects can host a Minnesota GreenCorps member to advance work in stormwater, forestry, water and land quality, and related areas. Focused on environmental stewardship, the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency invites Minnesota community groups, governments, and similar entities to apply as host sites for full-time AmeriCorps support on water resource and resilience projects.

Local governments, nonprofits, and community entities in Minnesota promoting private well water testing can apply for Minnesota Department of Health’s Private Well Protection Grant, with awards up to Up to US $406,035 for testing and outreach. Funding supports community efforts to increase private drinking water well testing for key contaminants and protect household water quality.

Local government units in Minnesota seeking to improve organizational efficiency and effectiveness can apply for grants supporting water resource management work. Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources provides Minnesota water resource management entities with up to US $25,000 for activities like strategic planning, reorganizations, shared services assessments, and other professional services that strengthen governance and operations.

Local governments and communities in Minnesota can seek planning funds to address stormwater resilience, wastewater system resilience, and climate-ready community services and public spaces. Grants from Minnesota Pollution Control Agency support climate planning projects that assess vulnerabilities and prepare infrastructure, ordinances, and public spaces for changing water conditions and related environmental health impacts.

Students in Minnesota pursuing junior, senior, or graduate studies in water-related science or engineering programs can receive US $3,500 scholarships to support higher education costs. Focused on water resource management fields, American Water Works Association prioritizes MN AWWA members, utility employees, and students actively involved in water-related professional activities.

Students in Minnesota community or technical college programs related to water operations, science, engineering, or similar fields can receive up to US $2,000 for tuition through scholarships from the American Water Works Association. Preference goes to MN AWWA members, utility employees, and students active in water-related professional activities.

Minnesota local governments planning water infrastructure projects can access funding through the Minnesota Public Facilities Authority to meet Clean Water Act and state water quality limits. Grants support point source projects that reduce phosphorus and nitrogen discharges or achieve TMDL-based effluent limits, with awards up to US $12,000,000 for construction-ready projects in 2025.

Cities, counties, townships, sanitary districts, and other Minnesota governmental units responsible for wastewater treatment can access below-market-rate loans to build or upgrade treatment plants and related infrastructure. Minnesota Public Facilities Authority financing covers eligible costs like site preparation, construction, engineering, equipment, and certain fees for projects on the state Project Priority List and Intended Use Plan.

Minnesota Department of Health

Mission: Protecting, maintaining and improving the health of all Minnesotans. The vision of MDH is for health equity in Minnesota, where all communities are thriving and all people have what they need to be healthy.

Groundwater Protection Initiative: Accelerated Implementation Grant

The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) received funding from the Clean Water Fund to advance Groundwater Restoration and Protection Strategies (GRAPS). A portion of this funding is being offered as grants to build capacity to accelerate implementation of groundwater projects across the state. Each applicant will have the opportunity to apply for up to $50,000 to conduct pre- project identification, planning and design work that is required before on-theground projects can be implemented. Whether it is conducting inventories of potential pollutant sites, utilizing existing targeting tools and datasets, supplying private well testing kits, providing technical assistance, or increasing citizen interactions, these grants equip local governments with the capacity to increase the installation and/or management of groundwater projects and practices that protect groundwater. This grant cannot be used for project implementation or mitigation purposes. 

Nonprofit organizations working on water access, quality, safety, or STEM education programs, including those in Minnesota, can seek support from the Pentair Foundation. Focus areas include reducing water stress, improving drinking water, promoting swim safety, and building engineering and manufacturing career pathways for youth and young adults in priority U.S. and international communities.

The Cleveland-Cliffs Foundation, established in 1962, focuses on enhancing educational opportunities, environmental protection, and community health in the regions it operates. As a leading steel manufacturer, Cleveland-Cliffs is committed to sustainability and responsible corporate citizenship. The foundation supports 501(c)(3) organizations that address key challenges in education, the environment, and community well-being, ensuring impactful investments that help communities thrive across North America.

This project aims to enhance the management of freshwater habitats in the Northwest, vital for native fish like bull trout and salmon. By developing a predictive modeling tool, it addresses threats from non-native species and environmental changes. The initiative aligns with federal conservation efforts and prioritizes science-based strategies to safeguard ecosystems and support recreational fishing, benefiting both local economies and tribal resources.

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) offers a funding opportunity for CESU partners to conduct research on national-scale biogeographic information for aquatic organisms. This project aims to enhance species distribution models and habitat assessments using advanced analytical methods and artificial intelligence. By aligning with Department of the Interior priorities, it supports informed conservation decisions for aquatic ecosystems and species management, benefiting local communities and scientific collaboration.

This project aims to develop a robust method for correcting solution chemistry interferences in electrochemical sensor measurements of complex environmental water matrices. By employing a ratiometric comparison approach, it seeks to enhance the detection of harmful contaminants like PFAS in drinking water. This initiative aligns with the priority of safeguarding public health through early detection and informed decision-making, ultimately ensuring access to safe, clean drinking water for communities.

The Development Partnership Grants, offered by the Minnesota Department of Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation, fund initiatives aimed at fostering long-term economic growth in northeastern Minnesota. Applications are open from July 1, 2025, until May 29, 2026, or until funds are allocated. These grants support research, planning, and education projects that align with community development goals, helping to strengthen the region's economy and enhance local resources.

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) is providing a funding opportunity for research aimed at restoring cisco populations in Lakes Huron and Erie. This involves hiring a structured decision-making expert and facilitating a workshop for fisheries managers to create a restoration plan. Additionally, a scientist will be engaged to conduct experiments to identify optimal environmental conditions for producing high-quality cisco in hatcheries, enhancing reintroduction efforts.

The MNDNR Conservation Partners Legacy Grant Program offers competitive matching grants between $5,000 and $500,000 for projects that restore, protect, or enhance Minnesota's natural resources, including prairies, wetlands, and forests. Grants require a 10% match of non-state funds and are aimed at benefiting habitats for fish and wildlife. Projects must comply with specific statutory requirements, ensuring that funded activities directly contribute to habitat improvement.

The Paul L. Busch Award, provided by the Water Research Foundation, honors individuals for innovative research in water quality. This prestigious award supports promising researchers with a $100,000 grant to advance their work. The selection process is inclusive, with no restrictions based on race, gender, or nationality, and encourages applications from diverse candidates. Recipients are expected to collaborate with U.S.-based organizations, fostering practical applications of their research in the water environment.