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Guided by our five-year strategic plan and focus areas, the Initiative Foundation awards about $1 million annually in grants to 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations, governments and schools that serve residents within our central Minnesota service area. Regardless of circumstances, we cannot provide grants to individuals or businesses.
Program Grants
Nearly 85 percent of our grant dollars are awarded to projects that originate from participation in our programs.
Innovation Fund Grants
Remaining grant support is allocated through our “Innovation Fund” (or the appropriate Component Funds), and is awarded through a competitive process. In the most recent fiscal year, the Initiative Foundation’s average grant award was approximately $5,000. All Innovation Fund grants must support projects which address at least one of the following areas:
- Help communities address opportunities or barriers to business growth and employment with active participation by private, public and not-for-profit sectors. (For example, projects may focus on issues such as transportation, childcare, financial literacy, and sustainable energy.)
- Advance economic self-sufficiency for vulnerable children and families by supporting nonprofits that work in these areas.
- Support training programs for future, displaced or underemployed workers that lead to employment or advancement in growing industries.
- Help small businesses survive and grow through access to services provided by nonprofit entities, such as consulting services, mentorship and education efforts.
- Help communities improve efficiencies through shared services with other units of government or public-private partnerships resulting in faster, higher quality, or more cost-effective services.
- Support local units of government in planning for recreational amenities such as interconnected trail networks which enhance regional quality of life.
- Support for community-based response and recovery planning associated with significant natural disasters.
Projects that meet at least one of these criteria should verify their eligibility before beginning the application process.
Review Process
We suggest that all grant seekers review the information on this website and our complete grant guidelines prior to submitting the required grant inquiry form.
Inquiries for our Innovation Fund are reviewed on a quarterly basis (and notified if they are invited or declined for a full proposal) according to the following schedule:
2013 INNOVATION FUND SCHEDULE
Inquiry Submitted By:
| Notified for Invite /
Decline of Full Proposal By:
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Full Proposal Due By:
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Final Decision
Made By:
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Jan 31
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Feb 8
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Mar 1
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Mar 31 |
May 3
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May 10
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May 31
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Jun 29
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Sept 27
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Oct 4
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Oct 25
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Nov 29
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All Program Grant inquiries will be reviewed on an ongoing basis and one of our staff will contact with you shortly. (This type of support remains ongoing and independent of the Innovation Fund schedule.)
Grant Reporting
These documents are for organizations that are currently receiving a grant. Once completed, refer to the instructions provided to you for next steps.
> Grantee Progress Report
> Financial Report Form |
