How to Find Grants for Nonprofits in Minnesota
If you're reading this, you're probably juggling a dozen responsibilities—and grant research just became one more thing on your plate. Maybe you're a board member who volunteered to help, or an executive director doing this between program delivery and payroll. Either way, you're not expected to be an expert overnight.
Grant seeking can feel overwhelming, especially in a state like Minnesota where opportunities come from state agencies, private foundations, community funders, and federal programs. The good news? You don't need to figure it all out at once. This guide breaks down where to look, what to prioritize, and how to get started—step by step.
Start with What's Available in Minnesota
Minnesota actually makes things a bit easier than some states by offering a centralized starting point for state-level grants.
State Government Grants
MN Grants (mn.gov/grants/) is your first stop. It's a single portal where you can search for state grant opportunities by topic, issue area, or agency. You'll find everything from arts funding to environmental programs to housing support.
Key state agencies that fund nonprofits include:
- Minnesota Department of Administration – Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund
- Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) – Economic development and workforce grants
- Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) – Health and wellness programs
- Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) – Social services and community support
- Minnesota Housing Finance Agency – Housing aid and development
- Minnesota Historical Society – Historic preservation grants
- Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) – Environmental and climate initiatives
- Minnesota State Arts Board – Arts organization funding
Pro tip: Bookmark the MN Grants portal and check it monthly. Many state grants have annual cycles, so once you know the rhythm, you can plan ahead.
Federal Grants
Don't forget Grants.gov, the federal government's grant portal. Many Minnesota nonprofits are eligible for federal funding through agencies like the Department of Health and Human Services, USDA, or the National Endowment for the Arts. Federal grants tend to be larger but more competitive and paperwork-heavy.
Top Foundations to Know in Minnesota
Minnesota has a strong philanthropic community. Here are some of the biggest players you should know about:
Statewide Funders
- The McKnight Foundation – One of Minnesota's largest foundations, supporting arts, environment, and community-building initiatives across the state.
- The Bush Foundation – Invests in innovative ideas and the people behind them. Known for their Community Innovation grants that support bold, community-led solutions.
- Otto Bremer Trust – Funds community development, health, education, and economic opportunity, especially in Greater Minnesota and the Upper Midwest.
Regional Funders
- The Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation – Serves the Twin Cities and statewide, often partnering with smaller foundations like F.R. Bigelow and Mardag. They fund across many issue areas.
- The Minneapolis Foundation – Focuses on economic mobility, education, safe communities, climate action, and neighborhood revitalization in the Minneapolis area.
These foundations often have specific funding priorities, so take time to read their guidelines before applying. Many also offer capacity-building support or convenings for grantees.
Your Grant Search Toolkit
Here are the tools and resources Minnesota nonprofits use to find funding:
Free Resources
- MN Grants (mn.gov/grants/) – State grant portal (mentioned above)
- Minnesota Council of Nonprofits (minnesotanonprofits.org) – Your go-to hub for nonprofit support. They offer grant resources, training, webinars, and connections to funders.
- League of Minnesota Cities (lmc.org) – Helpful if you're partnering with a city or township. They have a Grant Navigator and Grants Guide.
- The Grant Portal (minnesota.thegrantportal.com) – A database with grant listings, alerts, and foundation profiles. Some features are free; others require a subscription.
- Zeffy's Grant Finder – A 100% free tool built specifically for small nonprofits. Filter by cause, location, deadline, and eligibility. No subscription fees, ever.
Paid Tools (Consider If You Need Them)
- Candid (formerly Foundation Center) – Comprehensive foundation database. Useful for larger orgs with dedicated grant staff.
- GrantStation – Another subscription-based tool. Some users find it helpful; others say the recent UX changes made it harder to navigate.
Pro tip: Start with free tools. If you're applying to 10+ grants a year and need deeper research, then consider a paid subscription.
Eligibility and What Funders Look For
Most grants in Minnesota require your organization to have 501(c)(3) status or work with a fiscal sponsor who does. Some grants are also open to tribal governments, schools, or units of local government.
Common Requirements
- Proof of nonprofit status (IRS determination letter)
- Mission alignment with the funder's priorities
- Geographic location (some grants are Twin Cities–only; others focus on Greater Minnesota)
- Organizational capacity (budget size, staffing, track record)
- Specific policies (e.g., nondiscrimination, financial management)
Minnesota-Specific Notes
Some grants require a physical office or address in Minnesota. If you're a volunteer-run or remote organization, this can be a barrier—so check eligibility carefully before investing time in an application.
Funders also want to see that you can manage the grant responsibly. Be ready to provide financial statements, a program budget, and reporting plans.
When to Apply
Grant cycles in Minnesota vary, but here are some patterns to watch for:
Early Winter/Spring (January–March)
Many state and federal grants with July–June fiscal years have deadlines in late winter or early spring. For example, the Greater Minnesota Small Cities Housing Aid Grant and BUILD Program Grants often fall in this window.
Year-Round or Rolling Basis
Some grants accept applications anytime. Examples include Brownfield Assessment Grants and the Community Facilities Direct Loan & Grant Program. These are great if you missed a deadline elsewhere.
Annual Cycles
Programs like the Minnesota City Participation Program (MCPP) have a narrow application window—often just two weeks in January. Mark your calendar.
Seasonal Openings
Foundations like The Minneapolis Foundation often open applications in specific seasons (e.g., "Winter 2025–2026"). Sign up for their newsletters so you don't miss the window.
Pro tip: Create a simple calendar or spreadsheet to track deadlines. Even a Google Doc with "Grant Name | Funder | Deadline | Status" will save you stress.
Getting Started: Your First 3 Weeks
Here's a realistic plan to help you move forward without burning out.
Week 1: Set Up Your System
- Bookmark MN Grants, Minnesota Council of Nonprofits, and Zeffy's Grant Finder
- Sign up for email alerts from The Grant Portal and any foundations that match your mission
- Create a simple tracking spreadsheet (grant name, funder, deadline, status)
- Gather your core documents: IRS letter, mission statement, budget, board list
Week 2: Research and Filter
- Search for grants using keywords related to your cause and location (see list below)
- Filter by eligibility, deadline, and funding amount
- Read the guidelines for 3–5 grants that seem like a good fit
- Ask yourself: "Are we like the organizations who've received this grant before?"
Week 3: Prepare to Apply
- Choose 1–2 grants to focus on this month
- Draft answers to common questions (mission, impact, budget needs)
- Save these answers somewhere you can reuse them (Google Doc, Zeffy profile, etc.)
- Set a reminder for the deadline and block time on your calendar to apply
You don't have to apply to 20 grants right away. Start small, learn the process, and build from there.
Search Keywords That Work
When you're searching for grants in Minnesota, try these keyword combinations:
- "Minnesota grants for nonprofits"
- "Minnesota community foundation grants"
- "grants for [your cause] in Minnesota" (e.g., "grants for animal rescue in Minnesota")
- "Minnesota rural nonprofit funding"
- "Minnesota arts grants"
- "Minnesota climate action grants"
- "Minnesota Department of Health grants"
- "Minnesota Housing Finance Agency grants"
- "grants for BIPOC-led nonprofits Minnesota"
- "Greater Minnesota small nonprofit funding"
Mix and match your cause area, location, and funder type to find the most relevant results.
Getting Help When You Need It
You don't have to do this alone. Here are some places to turn when you need support:
- Minnesota Council of Nonprofits – Offers training, webinars, and one-on-one consultations on fundraising and grant seeking.
- League of Minnesota Cities – Provides grant proposal writing resources and guides, especially helpful if you're working with a municipality.
- Local community foundations – Many offer workshops, office hours, or feedback sessions for prospective applicants.
- Zeffy's support team – If you're using the Grant Finder and have questions, reach out. We're here to help.
Final Encouragement
Grant seeking is a skill, not a talent you're born with. Every successful grant writer started exactly where you are now—overwhelmed, unsure, and Googling "how to find grants."
The fact that you're reading this guide means you're already taking the right steps. You're learning the landscape, building your toolkit, and setting yourself up to apply smarter, not harder.
You don't need to win every grant. You just need to find the right ones—the ones that align with your mission, respect your capacity, and believe in the work you're doing.
Take it one week at a time. And remember: you're not just looking for money. You're building relationships with funders who want to see you succeed.
