Best Wright County Grants for Nonprofits in Minnesota

ApolloMD Health and Well-Being Research Grant

The grant seeks research that identifies, implements and evaluates strategies for establishing, enhancing and expanding resilience, mental health, and wellness for emergency physicians. Studies may include, but are not limited to:

Solutions to reduce stressors that affect the well-being, effectiveness and resiliency of emergency physicians

Approaches to create a supportive and healthy “well-workplace” for emergency physicians

Identification and solutions of factors that lead to burnout, moral injury and workplace stressors EMF encourages application partnerships between research universities and community emergency departments.

Limitations on Awards

Funds may be used for materials and supplies and to provide salary support. Capital equipment expenditures (costing more than $5,000 and a life of over one year) must be justified in the budget. Payments will be made to the principal investigator's institution that will be responsible for administering the funds. The Emergency Medicine Foundation will not be responsible for institutional overhead, cost for publications, travel, renovations, or secretarial support. Detailed audited financial reports may be required. The EMF is not fiscally responsible for funds necessary for the project's completion.

About the Bureau of Justice Assistance

The Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) was created in 1984 to reduce violent crime, create safer communities, and reform our Nation’s criminal justice system.

BJA strengthens the Nation’s criminal justice system and helps America’s state, local, and tribal jurisdictions reduce and prevent crime, reduce recidivism, and promote a fair and safe criminal justice system. BJA focuses its programmatic and policy efforts on providing a wide range of resources, including training and technical assistance, to law enforcement, courts, corrections, treatment, reentry, justice information sharing, and community-based partners to address chronic and emerging criminal justice challenges nationwide. 

John R. Justice (JRJ) Program

Formula

The Bureau of Justice Statistics will calculate a minimum base allocation for each state and the District of Columbia, which is then enhanced by an amount proportional to the state's share of the national population.

Governor-designated state agencies (or in the case of Washington, D.C., a Mayor-designated agency) will administer the JRJ Program in each state. We encourage prosecutors and public defenders with specific questions about the JRJ Loan Repayment application process to contact the Governor-designated (or Mayor-designated) agency in the state within which they work.

Community Change to Prevent Commercial Tobacco Use Among Young People Grant

The purpose of this work is to bridge youth engagement and leadership development with advancing commercial tobacco policy change. Youth and young adult leadership and meaningful participation in community change will be central to this work. The desired outcome is not simply youth participation or education, but youth- and young adult-informed community change.

This work aims to:

• Build youth and young adult leadership and advocacy skills.
• Engage youth and young adults in leading local commercial tobacco prevention efforts.
• Advance youth- and young adult-informed PSE change that reflects local priorities.
• Connect youth and young adult leaders to a statewide network that supports learning, storytelling, communications, and collective action.

This work aligns with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s goals for National and State Tobacco Control Programs, which are to:

• Prevent initiation of commercial tobacco use
• Eliminate exposure to secondhand smoke and aerosol
• Promote quitting and treatment
• Identify and eliminate commercial tobacco-related disparities

Funding

• Estimated individual award amount $125,000 – 175,000 annually

Match Requirement

• There will be no match requirements for these awards.

Project Dates

Grants are anticipated to start Mar. 1, 2027, and the projected end date is Feb. 28, 2029. The grant period will be two years, with potential to extend up to three additional years, contingent on satisfactory performance and funding availability.

Climate Friendly Agricultural Practice Incentive Payments (CFAP)

The MDA is accepting applications for Climate Friendly Agricultural Practices (CFAP) incentive payments. CFAP provides payments at a flat rate up to $10,000 for farmers in the state of Minnesota to implement a selection of sustainable agricultural practices with known, quantifiable greenhouse gas emission reductions. Approved practices include:

• Conservation Cover (CPS 327)
• Pasture and Hay Planting (CPS 512)
  • Practice must be implemented on land that has been in annual row crop production for at least five years. This practice is intended to be a conversion of annual cropland into a perennial grass or grass/legume mix. CPS 512 does not include funding for alfalfa or inter-seeding. 
• Conservation Crop Rotation (CPS 328)
  • CPS 328 does not include funding for planting oats, wheat or other small grains (see CFAP Incentive Payment Overview in Forms and Resources for more information)
• Tree and Shrub Establishment (CPS 612), may support the following:
  • Silvopasture
  • Windbreak/Shelterbelt
  • Forest Farming
• Advance Nutrient Management (CPS 590)
  • Available only for producers certified or assessed through the MAWQCP.

These payments are being offered through the Minnesota Agricultural Water Quality Certification Program (MAWQCP), which certifies producers across the state for implementing conservation practices that are proven to improve and protect water. Applicants are not required to be certified in this program to apply. However, certified applicants receive a higher payment rate than non-certified applicants.

Applicants who are certified, assessed, or working toward certification through the MAWQCP will receive a flat-rate payment of 75% of the assumed scenario cost, as established by the Natural Resource Conservation Service. All other applicants will receive a payment of 60% of the assumed scenario cost. Producers may reapply to subsequent rounds of CFAP payments to implement practices on new acres or for a practice not previously funded.

How much is available?

$1.2 million is allocated for FY27. Additional funding is anticipated next year. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until funds are expended. Applicants must be certified or assessed in the MAWQCP in order to be eligible for this payment.

The Flexible Funding Model aims to enhance manufactured food regulatory infrastructure and foster mutual reliance in food safety. This initiative will support both new and existing programs in achieving compliance with the Manufactured Food Regulatory Program Standards (MFRPS). By promoting collaboration between manufactured food programs and the FDA, the initiative seeks to improve regulatory efficiency and effectiveness through shared data and coordinated enforcement efforts, ultimately ensuring high-quality food safety oversight.

The Project Rental Assistance Program of Section 811 supports innovative strategies to enhance access to affordable supportive housing for individuals with disabilities. This initiative fosters collaborations between State Housing Agencies and Health Services, aiming to increase the availability of supportive services. By empowering states to manage funds flexibly, the program addresses the critical shortage of integrated housing options, ensuring that eligible individuals receive necessary rental assistance effectively.

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) offers a funding opportunity for research on fish ecology and management in the Great Lakes basin. This initiative targets the study of fish population dynamics, behavior, and resource management in response to environmental stressors. With a focus on improving ecological understanding and evidence-based management practices, the program aims to address significant knowledge gaps and support recovery planning over the next five years, benefiting the diverse fish assemblages in this vital freshwater system.

The BJA FY26 State Criminal Alien Assistance Program (SCAAP) aims to support eligible state and local governments by providing funding for costs incurred from the incarceration of undocumented criminal aliens. This initiative, led by the U.S. Department of Justice's Bureau of Justice Assistance, seeks to enhance public safety and uphold civil rights by addressing the challenges posed by undocumented criminal activity. Applications for funding are welcomed for the reporting period from July 1, 2024, to June 30, 2025.

This project aims to investigate PFAS bioaccumulation and partitioning in culturally significant plants, wild rice and arrowhead, across four PFAS-impacted aquatic sites in the Ceded Territories. By measuring PFAS levels in water, sediment, and plant tissues, the study will clarify bioaccumulation pathways and assess how traditional processing affects PFAS concentrations. The results will support Tribal communities, wildlife managers, and public health decision-makers in understanding and mitigating the impact of PFAS.

The USGS is offering a funding opportunity to a CESU partner for research aimed at enhancing the efficiency and standardization of Real-Time Quaking Induced Conversion (RT-QuIC) assay data analysis for Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD). This initiative addresses the growing challenges in wildlife management as CWD spreads and intensifies. By developing a robust and automated analytical pipeline, the project seeks to improve efficiency, repeatability, and inter-laboratory consistency in CWD surveillance and research.

The USGS is providing a funding opportunity for research on the use of in-situ fluorometry to detect milt from invasive carp downstream of spawning sites. This research aims to enhance early detection methods for invasive carp species, which pose significant ecological threats in the Mississippi River Basin. By improving detection capabilities, state and federal agencies can better manage and control the spread of these invasive species, ultimately protecting native aquatic ecosystems.

The Cooperative Agreement with the Californian Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit aims to enhance American energy dominance, critical mineral development, and water security. It focuses on utilizing scientific expertise in hydrology, geology, and geospatial science to address natural hazards like droughts and flooding. By fostering research and developing actionable tools, this initiative supports informed decision-making for resource managers and stakeholders, ultimately promoting resilience and preparedness in infrastructure and environmental management.

The USGS is providing funding for research focused on developing and testing passive ichthyoplankton samplers to capture invasive carp eggs and larvae in rivers. This initiative aims to facilitate early detection of invasive carp species in the Great Lakes and Mississippi River Basins, essential for managing their spread and protecting uninvaded waters. Effective technologies are critical for state and federal agencies to assess reproductive evidence and control invasive populations.

The National Rural Health Information Technology Assessment Program aims to assist rural communities in overcoming challenges and gaps related to health information technology. By leveraging these technologies, the program seeks to enhance health and wellness outcomes in underserved areas. Funded by the Health Resources and Services Administration, this initiative is crucial for improving healthcare access and quality in rural settings.

This NOFO supports research utilizing human-relevant New Approach Methodologies (NAMs) to enhance our understanding of the triggers of Type 1 Diabetes (T1D). By employing innovative experimental and computational techniques such as organoids and microphysiological systems, the initiative aims to identify early biomarkers and therapeutic targets. It promotes collaborative efforts within the Human Islet Research Network (HIRN) to accelerate progress in preventing or treating T1D by effectively utilizing human biological resources.

Gerber Foundation Emerging Investigator Award

Launching the Next Generation of Child Health Researchers.

The Gerber Emerging Investigator Award supports promising investigators in the early stages of their research careers. The award provides funding and mentorship opportunities to help emerging researchers conduct a first mentored pediatric research project, generate preliminary data, and build the skills and experience needed for a sustained career in child health research.

The Foundation recognizes that research careers take many forms. Success may include future research funding, scientific publications, clinical leadership, implementation of evidence-based practices, or other contributions that improve the lives of infants and children.

Award Highlights

• Award amount: $50,000
• Supports mentored pediatric research projects
• Open to trainees and early-stage investigators
• Requires mentor and institutional support
• Emphasizes career development and research independence

Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED)

DEED facilitates an economic environment to produce jobs and improve the quality of the state’s workforce. Mission: To empower the growth of the Minnesota economy, for everyone. Values: Focus on the customer, communicate early and often, seek solutions, create inclusion, encourage new ideas, and serve with respect.

Paid Leave Small Employer Assistance Grant

Minnesota Paid Leave, a division of the Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED), is accepting grant applications from small employers to help cover costs when an employee has taken leave. If you qualify as a small employer under Paid Leave, you can apply for a Small Employer Assistance Grant (SEAG). These funds help manage the cost of hiring temporary workers, increasing hours or wages, or training staff when an employee takes Paid Leave.

Grants offer up to $3,000 per leave, with a maximum of $6,000 per employer each calendar year. This is a reimbursement program, so employers must first pay costs and show proof of payment to receive grant funds.

The Major Research Instrumentation (MRI) Program, funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF), aims to enhance access to multi-user scientific and engineering instruments for research and training. It supports the acquisition of costly instruments or the development of new capabilities, particularly benefiting early-career researchers and institutions in EPSCoR jurisdictions. Proposals that advance national R&D priorities and integrate with SI-enabled workflows are especially encouraged.

Funded by the MN Department of Children, Youth, and Families and Michigan Department of Education, the Rural Child Care Innovation Program (RCCIP) is an initiative of First Children’s Finance to address the challenges of rural child care in Greater Minnesota and Rural Michigan through the lens of rural economic development.The RCCIP uses a community engagement process designed to develop right-sized solutions to increase the supply of high-quality affordable child care in rural communities. Over a two-year period, selected communities will partner with First Children’s Finance to increase the supply of high-quality affordable childcare in their local community. 

A round 2 of this grant is possible.  Availability dependent on the number of communities served in the first round. 

Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources

BWSR is the state soil and water conservation agency charged with helping meet the state's goals for clean water, clean air, and abundant fish and wildlife. The 78% of state land that is held in private ownership—farms, forests, and urban areas—contribute greatly to the production of environmental goods and benefits including cleaner air and water, fish and wildlife habitat, and preservation of open spaces. The local-state conservation delivery system ensures that state policy is implemented with local issues and problems in mind—and our work together has improved and protected Minnesota’s water and soil resources in spite of intensified agriculture, greater demands for forest products, and rapid urbanization in many parts of the state.

BWSR's mission is to work with partners to improve and protect Minnesota's land and water resources. Core functions include implementing the state's soil and water conservation policy, comprehensive local water management, and the Wetland Conservation Act as it relates to the 41.7 million acres of private land in Minnesota.

Multipurpose Drainage Management

The purpose of this program is to facilitate multipurpose drainage management practices to reduce erosion and sedimentation, reduce peak flows and flooding, and improve water quality, while protecting drainage system efficiency and reducing drainage system maintenance for priority Chapter 103E drainage systems.

Eligible activities can consist of structural practices and projects; non-structural practices and measures, project support, grant management and reporting. Technical and engineering assistance necessary to implement these activities are considered essential and are to be included in the total project or practice cost.   

Minnesota Department of Natural Resources

The mission of the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is to work with Minnesotans to conserve and manage the state's natural resources, to provide outdoor recreation opportunities, and to provide for commercial uses of natural resources in a way that creates a sustainable quality of life.

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources works to integrate and sustain the interdependent values of a healthy environment, a sustainable economy, and livable communities. DNR’s integrated resource management strategy shares stewardship responsibility with Minnesotans and partners to manage for multiple interests. DNR protects the state’s natural heritage by conserving the diversity of natural lands, waters, and fish and wildlife that provide the foundation for Minnesota’s recreational and natural resource-based economy (M.S. 84, M.S. 97A).

No Child Left Inside - Mini Grant

The grant funding will serve Minnesota youth under 18 years of age (Activities that include family participation are eligible, but the primary focus must be on youth.) and programming that maximizes the number of participants, especially from new and diverse audiences with limited opportunities for access. Grant outcomes will include:

• Community-focused projects with ongoing impact, rather than one-time events
• New or innovative programming (Existing programs must demonstrate a significant expansion in scope and the inclusion of new audiences.)
• Experiences that provide youth with direct exposure to and an understanding of nature
• Opportunities for outdoor recreation or to learn new outdoor skills
• Use of research-based, effective environmental or natural-resource-based educational curriculum or methods
• Use of natural spaces, public parks and trails, or other natural resource venues and personnel 

Mini grants, with awards between $1,000-$5,000, are for projects with smaller scope. Eligible projects will be entered into a lottery for selection, with awards granted statewide on a regional per capita basis.

Minnesota Department of Natural Resources

The mission of the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is to work with Minnesotans to conserve and manage the state's natural resources, to provide outdoor recreation opportunities, and to provide for commercial uses of natural resources in a way that creates a sustainable quality of life.

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources works to integrate and sustain the interdependent values of a healthy environment, a sustainable economy, and livable communities. DNR’s integrated resource management strategy shares stewardship responsibility with Minnesotans and partners to manage for multiple interests. DNR protects the state’s natural heritage by conserving the diversity of natural lands, waters, and fish and wildlife that provide the foundation for Minnesota’s recreational and natural resource-based economy (M.S. 84, M.S. 97A).

No Child Left Inside - Larger Grant

The grant funding will serve Minnesota youth under 18 years of age (Activities that include family participation are eligible, but the primary focus must be on youth.) and programming that maximizes the number of participants, especially from new and diverse audiences with limited opportunities for access. Grant outcomes will include:

• Community-focused projects with ongoing impact, rather than one-time events
• New or innovative programming (Existing programs must demonstrate a significant expansion in scope and the inclusion of new audiences.)
• Experiences that provide youth with direct exposure to and an understanding of nature
• Opportunities for outdoor recreation or to learn new outdoor skills
• Use of research-based, effective environmental or natural-resource-based educational curriculum or methods
• Use of natural spaces, public parks and trails, or other natural resource venues and personnel 

Larger grants have awards between $5,001-$25,000 and will include a more extensive application process and greater project scope. Eligible projects will be competitively reviewed and awarded statewide on a regional per capita basis.

The FY2027 Grants to Highest State Courts aim to enhance guardianship systems by evaluating and improving the fairness and effectiveness of adult guardianship proceedings. This initiative, funded by the US HHS Administration for Community Living, seeks to implement necessary changes based on assessments, streamline filing processes, and better detect fraud, ultimately ensuring the safety and integrity of protected individuals.

The UNLOCK program by the U.S. Department of Energy aims to revolutionize subsurface resource extraction by enhancing recovery efficiency from low-permeability formations. This initiative seeks to overcome geological challenges that hinder oil, gas, geothermal, and mineral recovery. By developing innovative stimulation techniques and field-validation processes, UNLOCK targets a twofold increase in resource recovery efficiency while minimizing costs and wastewater production, ultimately contributing to national energy resilience and reduced foreign energy dependency.

The Residential Services for Unaccompanied Alien Children program aims to support organizations providing safe, high-quality care for children in federal custody due to immigration status. This initiative requires providers to be licensed and available 24/7, ensuring children's well-being while they await permanent placements. Special emphasis is placed on facilities near the U.S.-Mexico border, highlighting the need for immediate and responsive care options for vulnerable populations.

Parrot Head Emergency Phund Guidelines

Purpose

The purpose of the Emergency Phund is to aid Parrot Heads with financial assistance during difficulties resulting from a natural disaster. The Phund is maintained by the Board of Directors on the Lone Palm Foundation and applications will be reviewed by this board. Assistance approval is based on Board review and availability of funds.

Application Procedure

Please be as detailed as possible when completing your application. This will ensure The Lone Palm Foundation Board has all the information they need to review and make a decision on your application. Once your complete application and verification documents have been submitted, it will be reviewed in the order it was received. If the Lone Palm Foundation Board should need additional information, please be sure to provide this in a timely manner. Failure to provide the information in a timely manner could result in loss of consideration for funding.

Repayment and Donation

There is no requirement for repayment of the financial assistance provided through the Lone Palm Foundation Emergency Phund. We do encourage all Parrot Heads to help The Lone Palm Foundation continue its operations by making a donation once the crisis has passed. This donation will allow us to help many other Parrot Heads who find themselves in the same situation.

About the MMA

As a non-profit professional association representing physicians, residents, and medical students, the MMA ensures that physicians are helping to shape the decisions that affect your patients, your practice and your profession.

MMA Foundation Healthiest State in the Nation Grant Program

Supporting physician-led solutions to make Minnesota the healthiest state

Pilot grant program supporting high-impact, physician-led community health initiatives across Minnesota.

This is an invitation-based pilot program.

Nominations are limited to MMA and MMA Foundation leadership (Board members, Trustees, and designated staff).

Funding

• Up to $5,000 per project 
• Up to two projects funded in 2026 
• One-year grant period 

About the Program

The MMA Foundation’s Healthiest State in the Nation Grant Program supports a small number of high-impact, physician-led or physician-informed projects that advance community health across Minnesota.

Projects may be new or existing initiatives but must represent a clearly defined effort or expansion that can be completed within one year.

This pilot reflects the Foundation’s role as the MMA’s philanthropic partner—supporting physician-led solutions that improve health outcomes and advance the shared goal of making Minnesota the healthiest state and best place to practice.

Strategic Alignment

Projects must align with at least one of the Foundation’s strategic priorities:

• Catalyze optimal health for all 
• Foster well-being for physicians and physicians in training 
• Promote the profession and support diversification of the future physician workforce 

Use of Funds

Funds may support:

• Program materials 
• Outreach and engagement 
• Project coordination 
• Evaluation