Best Wilkin County Grants for Nonprofits in Minnesota

The PLTW Computer Science program, funded by the John Deere Foundation, aims to enhance STEM opportunities for underserved students in John Deere communities. This initiative supports schools initiating or expanding PLTW Computer Science courses starting in the 2025-2026 academic year. With a commitment to inclusive education, the foundation seeks to empower students by providing essential resources and opportunities to develop critical skills that will serve them in future careers.

The Rural Hospital Planning and Transition Grant, administered by the Minnesota Department of Health, aims to support small, nonprofit rural hospitals in developing strategic plans and implementing transition projects. This initiative enhances access to healthcare for underserved communities in Minnesota, ensuring they receive necessary services. Grant recipients will create sustainable plans to address community health needs and improve service delivery, fostering equity and inclusion in healthcare access.

The Rural Hospital Capital Improvement Grant supports modernization projects for eligible rural hospitals in Minnesota. Grant funding will enable hospitals to update or replace aging facilities and equipment, ensuring continued access to essential healthcare services in communities with populations below 15,000. With an estimated total of $1,755,000 available, hospitals can receive awards ranging from $45,000 to $125,000, provided they match at least 25% of the grant request from non-state sources.

The Minnesota Department of Health is offering funding for innovative HIV Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) programs aimed at reducing HIV transmission in rural communities. With a total of up to $600,000 available, the initiative seeks to increase HIV screenings, referrals, and prescriptions, ultimately promoting health equity and supporting the local END HIV MN plan. Organizations that can effectively implement and evaluate these programs are encouraged to apply.

The Small Cities Development Program (SCDP) provides essential funding to cities, townships, and counties for housing, public infrastructure, and commercial rehabilitation projects. Aimed at benefiting low-and-moderate income households, SCDP enhances community viability by facilitating economic opportunities and improving living conditions. Administered by the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED), this program offers competitive grants for diverse development needs, with funding caps of $600,000 for single-purpose projects and $1.4 million for comprehensive initiatives.

Greater Minnesota Public Infrastructure

The Greater Minnesota Business Development Infrastructure Grant Program helps stimulate new economic development, create new jobs and retains existing jobs through investments in public infrastructure.

It provides grants to cities of up to 50% of the capital costs of the public infrastructure necessary to expand or retain jobs in the area, increase the tax base, or expand or create new economic development.

Award Amounts

Applicants wills be awarded 50% of eligible, capital costs for eligible projects, pending availability of funds. Applicants may receive no more than $2,000,000 in two years for one or more projects. If after five years the project has not proceeded in a timely manner and is unlikely to be completed, the grant will be cancelled and grant money awarded to the city must be returned.

Greater Minnesota Housing Infrastructure Grant Program

Grant funds can be used to cover up to 50% of capital costs of physical public infrastructure necessary to support a qualifying housing development. This may include sewers, water supply systems, utility extensions, streets and more, necessary to support single-family, multifamily, homeownership and rental housing development.

Grants are generally limited to:

• $40,000 per lot for one to four units
• $180,000 per lot for multifamily housing (five or more units/building)
• $60,000 per manufactured housing lot
• No more than $500,000 to any grantee or project over a two year period.

Applicants’ matching funds may include in-kind contributions, such as donation of land.