Best St. Paul Grants for Nonprofits in Minnesota

The Ronald Barnes Memorial Grant, offered by The Guild of Carillonneurs in North America, supports North Americans pursuing studies in carillon performance, composition, music history, or instrument design. Established in 1998 to honor Ronald Barnes, a significant figure in carillon music, the grant has awarded over US$140,000 since 2007. For the 2025 cycle, grants of up to US$14,138 are available, depending on the number of successful applicants, promoting education in this unique art form.

The Emerging Artist Grant, offered by the Guild of Carillonneurs in North America, supports the next generation of carillonneurs by providing financial assistance for education and professional development. Eligible applicants can receive up to $750 or $2,000 depending on their qualifications, which may be used for tuition, travel, and equipment. This initiative aims to foster talent in the carillon community, ensuring a vibrant future for this unique musical art form.

The Arthur F. Burns Fellowship offers journalists from the U.S., Canada, and Germany a unique opportunity to enhance their skills through a two-month exchange program. Participants engage in a structured orientation in Washington, D.C., followed by hands-on training at German media outlets. This fellowship not only enriches careers but also fosters international understanding, with many alumni advancing in prominent media roles globally. With financial support for living and travel expenses, this program significantly enhances the quality of transatlantic news coverage.

The Mobile Learning Fund provides grants to adult literacy programs in the U.S. and Canada, enabling access to digital learning solutions. These grants support various online learning tools, such as New Readers Press, Learning Upgrade, and EnGen, aimed at enhancing literacy, math, and digital skills. Eligible programs must implement the solutions within 30 days and ensure active learner engagement. This initiative empowers educators to expand their reach and improve student outcomes through innovative digital resources.

ServeMinnesota provides annual grants to support nonprofits, local governments, institutes of higher education, and Indian Tribes in hosting AmeriCorps programs. Grantees must use research-based measures of program outcomes to generate valid and reliable data that are available to ServeMinnesota for evaluation and public reporting purposes.

AmeriCorps improves lives, strengthens communities, and fosters civic engagement through service and volunteering. AmeriCorps brings people together to tackle some of the country’s most pressing challenges through national service and volunteerism. AmeriCorps members serve with organizations dedicated to the improvement of communities and those serving.

AmeriCorps grants are awarded to eligible organizations that engage AmeriCorps members in evidence-based or evidence-informed interventions to strengthen communities. An AmeriCorps member is a person who does community service through AmeriCorps. Members may receive a living allowance and other benefits. After successful completion of their service, members earn a Segal AmeriCorps Education  Award they can use to pay for higher education expenses or apply to qualified student loans.

For this funding opportunity, AmeriCorps will prioritize consideration from organizations that:

Serve Communities:

•  Serve communities with concentrated poverty, rural communities, tribal communities, and historically underrepresented and underserved individuals. These may include people of color, immigrants, refugees, people with disabilities, LGBTQIA+ individuals, people with arrest or conviction records, religious minorities, etc.;
• Implement programs for or expand access to high-quality youth mental health and substance use recovery services and prepare AmeriCorps members to enter behavioral health careers. These may include individuals with lived experience with substance use and mental health challenges to support youth mental health efforts and continued AmeriCorps work on the opioid epidemic;
• Focus on improving the quality of life for veterans, active-duty members of the Armed Forces, and their families by recruiting veterans, military spouses, and their older children into national service;
• Promote environmental stewardship to help communities (especially underserved households and communities) to be more resilient by reducing greenhouse gas emissions, conserving land and water, increasing renewable energy use and improving at-risk ecosystems;
• Support civic bridgebuilding programs and projects to reduce polarization and community divisions; and providing training in civic bridgebuilding skills and techniques to AmeriCorps members;

The Walking College Fellowship, offered by America Walks, is an innovative online program aimed at empowering community champions to enhance walkability. Participants engage in six modules, committing 5-10 hours weekly, to develop actionable plans addressing local challenges. Over 200 alumni have successfully implemented initiatives such as sidewalk installations and complete streets policies. The program encourages diverse candidates, fostering collaboration and effective advocacy for safer, more accessible communities.

The Kerdyk Family Trust Music Scholarship, administered by the Coral Gables Community Foundation, honors students with a passion for music. Established in memory of Commissioner William H. Kerdyk, Sr., this annual scholarship is awarded to graduating seniors who demonstrate musical interest and academic success. Key eligibility factors include residing in Coral Gables and planning to pursue music studies in college. The scholarship supports students aiming for a career in music, fostering future talent in the arts.

The NIA Postdoctoral Fellowship Award aims to enhance diversity in the translational research workforce for Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (AD/ADRD). This fellowship supports promising candidates from diverse backgrounds in developing essential translational research skills. The program emphasizes interdisciplinary approaches to treatment, prevention, and early detection of AD/ADRD while providing research experience under the guidance of mentors in clinical trials, fostering a diverse and effective research community.

The NIA Predoctoral Fellowship Award aims to enhance diversity in the translational research workforce focusing on Alzheimer's disease and related dementias. This funding opportunity supports promising predoctoral candidates from underrepresented backgrounds, fostering their research training and skills in various aspects of AD/ADRD. By encouraging interdisciplinary teamwork, the program seeks to develop a diverse workforce capable of contributing significantly to the prevention, treatment, and management of these conditions.

The Industrial Energy Storage Systems Prize, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy, offers $4.8 million to promote innovative thermal energy storage solutions for the industrial sector. With three phases from 2025 to 2026, participants can win cash prizes by developing cost-effective concepts to enhance energy efficiency. This initiative encourages the adoption of sustainable technologies to address energy demands while reducing the strain on the electric grid, supporting the overall decarbonization goals of the industry.

The Friends of Reservoirs: Small Grant program offers annual grants of $2,000 to member organizations of Friends of Reservoirs, with additional product donations bringing the total value over $3,500. This initiative, supported by generous sponsors, aims to enhance reservoir fisheries habitats. Applicants should note a $25 application fee, which contributes directly to the grant fund. This program focuses on fostering community engagement and improving aquatic ecosystems.

The Friends of Reservoirs: Mossback Grant offers three grants of $1,000 in Mossback products to eligible members of Friends of Reservoirs organizations. Sponsored by Mossback Fish Habitat, these grants aim to enhance structural habitat in public waters. The total retail value is approximately $1,500. Applicants must cover freight costs, and a $25 application fee applies to each submission. This initiative supports habitat restoration efforts across member organizations.

The Disaster Relief and Resilience Scholarship supports residents of western North Carolina whose education funding has been affected by Hurricane Helene. Offered by the North Carolina Community Foundation, this scholarship is available for undergraduate and graduate students attending two- or four-year colleges. The minimum award is $1,000, aimed at helping students overcome financial hardships caused by the disaster and continue their educational pursuits.

The Friends of Reservoirs: Large Grant supports fish habitat enhancement projects in manmade reservoirs, promoting conservation and partnerships. With approximately $250,000 in Federal funding and $500,000 from Bass Pro Shops, grants up to $75,000 are available. Projects must match funding and can be multi-year, with specific caps on subsequent funding. This initiative aims to address habitat impairments and enrich community quality of life through improved fishing opportunities.

The Intervention Research to Improve Native American Health initiative aims to enhance health outcomes in Native American communities through innovative research. This program supports studies focused on health promotion, disease prevention, and culturally informed treatment strategies. Key deadlines for grant applications are October 21, 2025, and January 7, 2026. By addressing health disparities and leveraging community strengths, the initiative fosters sustainable interventions tailored to specific cultural contexts.

The Intervention Research to Improve Native American Health (R34) aims to support research that enhances health interventions for Native American populations. This includes studying the efficacy of health promotion and disease prevention strategies, culturally informed treatments, and addressing existing health disparities. The initiative encourages community-based solutions that are sustainable and adaptable to various Native American tribes. Key deadlines for grant applications are set for October 2025 and 2026, with additional dates for AIDS-related proposals.

The Aim High Grant Program offers one-year grants of $20,000 to support out-of-school time programs for middle school youth. Funded by the New York Life Foundation, this initiative aims to enhance students' transition to high school by providing essential skills and guidance. Programs must demonstrate effective engagement strategies and serve low-income communities. This grant represents a vital investment in the future of young people, helping them develop academically, socially, and emotionally.

The Public Humanities Projects program supports projects that bring the ideas and insights of the humanities to life for general audiences through in-person, hybrid, or virtual programming. Projects must engage humanities scholarship to analyze significant themes in disciplines such as history, literature, ethics, and art history.

The Alice M. Ditson Fund supports recording projects that aim to document and promote the music of younger, lesser-known American composers. The fund prioritizes living composers of classical concert music, especially those in the early stages of their careers, while also recognizing established composers who deserve greater visibility. Eligible applicants include organizations with a fiscal sponsor or non-profit status, and projects must involve significant contemporary American music.

The Alice M. Ditson Fund provides organizational support for professional performing ensembles and institutions committed to advancing the work of younger and relatively unknown living American composers. Grants are available for general operating or project support, emphasizing contemporary American classical concert music. Eligibility includes organizations without non-profit status if sponsored by a 501(c)(3) entity, while projects featuring American music are prioritized. This funding opportunity encourages innovative performances and fosters greater recognition of emerging talents in the classical music sphere.

The Alice M. Ditson Fund offers organizational support for summer festivals and conferences focused on contemporary American classical music. This funding opportunity encourages the appreciation of works by younger, relatively unknown American composers. Eligible applicants include performing organizations and institutions that promote artistic excellence. The Fund emphasizes supporting living composers at various career stages, ensuring a broader recognition of their contributions to classical concert music. It is crucial for applicants to align their projects with the Fund's mission of enhancing public knowledge and appreciation.

The Arthur C. Cope Postdoctoral Fellowship, awarded by the American Chemical Society, recognizes outstanding achievements in organic chemistry. This two-year fellowship provides $85,000 annually to early-career researchers, promoting innovative research in sustainable organic chemistry. Candidates, nominated by their mentors, must demonstrate excellence and a commitment to inclusivity in research. The fellowship encourages participation in ACS activities, fostering career development and collaboration within the scientific community.

The Performing Arts Global Exchange Grant (PAGE) fosters international performing arts in the U.S., promoting cultural understanding through diverse programming. It offers support to nonprofit presenters who engage artists from a curated roster, focusing on underrepresented regions like Morocco and South Africa. Grants require public performances and community interaction, emphasizing outreach to underserved areas. PAGE is supported by Mid Atlantic Arts and the National Endowment for the Arts, aiming to enhance accessibility to global artistic expressions.

Arnold Ventures invites proposals for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) to evaluate social programs and policies. Focused on evidence-based solutions, this RFP aims to fund rigorous research that identifies effective interventions for pressing social issues. By supporting RCTs, Arnold Ventures seeks to enhance the understanding of what works in policy implementation, thereby informing decision-makers and improving resource allocation. Proposals exceeding $500,000 may require additional approval time.

The Grief Reach Grants: Community Education Cycle, funded by the National Alliance for Children's Grief (NACG), aims to empower organizations that support grieving youth. With $10,000 grants available, the initiative enhances access to essential bereavement resources and education, addressing the needs of children coping with loss. This program is crucial as 1 in 12 children will experience the death of a loved one by age 18, highlighting the urgent need for support in diverse communities.

The Tides Stronger Together Fund, under the Tides Foundation, provides essential support grants to fiscally sponsored partners focused on historically underserved communities. By building organizational capacity and leadership, the fund empowers community changemakers to address inequities and enhance sustainability. With a pooled funding model, it directly responds to the needs of over 120 partners, ensuring resources are effectively allocated where they are most impactful, ultimately fostering long-term community resilience.

The National Cancer Institute (NCI) invites applications for the Toward Translation of Nanotechnology Cancer Interventions (TTNCI) program. This funding opportunity focuses on advanced pre-clinical research aimed at developing nanotechnology-based cancer diagnostics and therapeutics. TTNCI awards will support the maturation of innovative nanomedicines using nanoparticles and nano-devices, enhancing cancer treatment efficacy. Successful projects will progress towards further NCI translational programs, such as the NExT initiative.