Grant Guidelines

The Initiative Foundation awards grants across the 14 counties and two Native nations of Central Minnesota. Grants are provided for projects and programs that advance shared missions to empower people across Central Minnesota to build a thriving economy, vibrant communities, and a lasting culture of generosity.

Initiative Foundation-hosted Partner Funds award grants based on specific priorities. See Partner Fund grant opportunities.

Innovation and Economic Development Fund Grant Eligibility

Innovation Fund and economic development grant applicants must be 501(c)(3) nonprofits, school districts, or local units of government that serve the people and communities in Benton, Cass, Chisago, Crow Wing, Isanti, Kanabec, Mille Lacs, Morrison, Pine, Sherburne, Stearns, Todd, Wadena, and/or Wright counties, and the Native nations of the Leech Lake and Mille Lacs Bands of Ojibwe operating within the boundaries of the 14-county region.

Proposals that focus on at least one of the following areas will be given priority consideration:

Capacity-building support for nonprofits addressing the urgent needs of historically disadvantaged populations. This includes support for business planning, fund development, training or other capacity-building initiatives.
Cost share for projects intended to create behavioral change associated with combating racism, and advancing diversity, equity and inclusion.
Advancement of strategies to address workforce shortages.
Support for local and regional community and economic development entities advancing early-stage feasibility or pilot projects.

Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis, with quarterly awards made through a competitive review process. Grants seldom exceed $5,000 and are not intended to provide ongoing support. The grant process is highly competitive. Applicants will typically be notified within two weeks of application deadline.

2023 Innovation Fund Application Deadlines:

Feb. 6
May 5
Aug. 4
Nov. 3

Innovation and Economic Development Fund Ineligible Expenses

Funding requests from outside the Initiative Foundation’s geographic service area will not be considered. Individuals are not eligible to apply for grant funding. The following expenses are ineligible and will NOT be considered for funding:

Grants or reimbursements to individuals and businesses.
Expenses incurred prior to the receipt of a grant award.
Capital expenses (e.g., buildings, equipment, vehicles, etc.).
Programs or projects that DO NOT directly benefit residents in the Initiative Foundation’s 14-county service area.
Replacement of or substitution for government funding.
Religious activities.
Lobbying or campaigning for a candidate, issue or referendum vote.
Development or purchase of school curriculum or support for school athletic programs.
Out-of-state travel.

Healthcare, arts programming and historic preservation are not focus areas of the Initiative Foundation. Potential applicants are encouraged to speak with staff before beginning an application associated with one of these areas. Follow the link below for state sources of funding.

State Grants: Healthcare, Arts, Historic Preservation

Partner Fund Grants

A significant share of grantmaking is funded by the Initiative Foundation’s hosted Partner Funds, a robust source of generosity for the region. Each of these funds has specific priority areas and varying grant schedules. We encourage you to explore our hosted funds and their grantmaking parameters to see if they’re a fit for your project.

Partner Fund Grant Opportunities