| How much funding can I request from the Initiative Foundation? |
| We generally make grants up to a maximum of $10,000. Our average grant is $5,000. On very rare occasions, grants are made for over this amount for multi-community projects or special initiatives. Applications for funding over $10,000 are accepted on an invitation-only basis. |
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| Do we have to complete a grant inquiry before submitting a full application? |
| Yes. Preparing and reviewing full applications takes a significant amount of time on everyone’s part. In order to be respectful of this, we ask that all grant seekers complete our inquiry form before submitting a full application. |
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| Does the Initiative Foundation only make grants for activities in central Minnesota? |
Yes. All of our grant-funded investments are made to serve the people in our designated 14-county region. |
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| Does the Initiative Foundation make grants to individuals or for-profit businesses? |
| No. We only make grants to 501(c) 3 nonprofit organizations, local units of government and school districts |
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| Does the Initiative Foundation make grants to “fiscal agents”? |
| No. Organizations applying for grant funds should be ones that intend to play a key role in carrying out and administering the project for which you are applying for funding. We do encourage local community and organizational partnerships and collaborations, but do not make grants to organizations simply acting as funding pass-through agents. |
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| What are your application deadlines? |
| There are no deadlines for most grant application submissions, unless you are applying for participation to one of our program areas. Please contact the appropriate program staff for program application deadline information. |
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| Is there a cash match requirement? |
| Although we do not have a specific designated match requirement, we typically do not fund more than 50 percent of any one given project, program or planning effort. We highly encourage that you secure local support for your proposed project before applying to the foundation. |
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Does the Initiative Foundation make grants to purchase equipment or buildings? |
| No. We do not provide grants for the purchase of any capital expenses such as equipment, vehicles, facility purchase or renovation. |
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| How do we apply for participation in one of the Initiative Foundation’s programs (Healthy Communities Partnership, Healthy Organizations Partnership, Healthy Lakes & Rivers Partnership, etc.)? |
| New rounds of each of our community-based programs begin at various times throughout the year. Please visit the pages on this site and contact the listed staff person to learn more about applying to participate in these program opportunities. |
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| How long will it take for the Initiative Foundation to review and respond to our grant request? |
| Although most grant applications are processed within 30-60 days, we do ask that you allow for up to 90 days to complete the process and that you plan your proposed projects, programs or planning efforts accordingly. |
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