The Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation is accepting applications for its Paint the Town Grants to build community collaboration with a unique and hands-on approach.
Donor Name: Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation
State: Minnesota
County: Selected Counties
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 03/31/2025
Size of the Grant: Less than $1000
Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned
Details:
SMIF donates up to 100 gallons of paint per project, with the goal of fostering inclusion through volunteer engagement, promotion of creativity, celebration of local pride and to enhance the beauty and interest of a space.
Free paint and coating products are available for community mural, community welcome sign, historic structure or public art/creative placemaking projects and to refresh public spaces in preparation for significant community milestone celebrations. This grant opportunity is available to communities with a population under 10,000 throughout SMIF’s 20-county region.
Funding Information
Up to 100 gallons of paint, preferably from a local hardware store, valued around $45 per gallon (maximum price limited to $65 per gallon).
Examples of Public Art/Creative Placemaking Projects
New this year is the opportunity to apply for paint for use in public art projects, including in creative placemaking initiatives which incorporate the arts to create a place-based asset in a community. Examples may include painting a piano on a public, outdoor staircase, painting board games on public picnic tables, painting a pop-up park in an alleyway downtown, or using paint on temporary or permanent art installations that enhance the vibrancy of a community.
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for a SMIF grant, organizations must meet the following requirements:
- Eligible organizations are tax exempt 501(c)(3) organizations, units/agencies of local, state, or federal government and public schools/higher education institutions.
- Located (or serve) within SMIF’s 20-county region or Native nation (Prairie Island Indian Community):
- Blue Earth, Fillmore, Le Sueur, Olmsted, Wabasha, Brown, Freeborn, Martin, Rice, Waseca, Dodge, Goodhue, Mower, Sibley, Watonwan, Faribault, Houston, Nicollet, Steele, Winona
- Project must be located in a community with a population under 10,000.
- All projects must exhibit public visual impact, current/intended public use of the structure, and volunteer participation.
- Privately-owned buildings must have a government organization or IRS designated 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization as a fiscal agent to receive the paint.
- Historic structures must be owned and operated by a government organization or IRS designated 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
- Paint requests up to 100 gallons will be considered. SMIF reserves the right to limit paint product amounts and total cost of paint awarded.
- SMIF only covers the cost of awarded paint; the grantee is responsible for the cost of supplies, equipment, and any additional paint.
For more information, visit SMIF.
