The Minnesota Community IDEAS Program seeks to design, test and spread ideas that make the communities better for everyone and inspire, equip and connect people through meaningful, community-led change.
Donor Name: Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation
State: Minnesota
County: All Counties
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 01/28/2026
Size of the Grant: $100,000 to $500,000
Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned
Details:
This program’s selection criteria focus on an organization’s transformational impact; or the long-lasting, meaningful change that can happen through ideas of all sizes, within communities of all sizes, and through organizations of all sizes.
Target Communities
Three awards will be distributed to each of the following target communities:
- Greater Minnesota – Organizations located outside the 7-County Metro Area.
- Twin Cities Metro Area – Organizations located within the seven counties of Anoka, Carver, Dakota, Hennepin, Ramsey, Scott and Washington.
- Native-led organizations that serve Native communities within Minnesota and the 11 Native Nations within the same geography.
- Organizations must have at least 51% of the Board of Directors and Senior Leadership identifying as Native to be considered Native-led.
Funding Information
- The Minnesota Community IDEAS Program will grant $1.6 million each year.
- In 2026, nine selected organizations will each receive a total award of $125,000.
Eligibility Criteria
Grants will be awarded to Minnesota nonprofit organizations meeting the following criteria:
- Organizations must be located in Minnesota. If awarded, all grant funds must be used for charitable purposes to benefit communities in Minnesota.
- Organizations that are 501(c)(3) public charities or government entities (including schools and tribal governments) are eligible to apply.
- The Foundation accepts applications from organizations or programs that are fiscally sponsored. Fiscal sponsors must be 501(c)(3) public charities or government entities (including schools).
- If an organization is selected and invited to apply, the Foundation will learn more about its fiscal sponsor and collect a fiscal sponsorship agreement.
- If the applicant is selected as a grant recipient, their fiscal sponsor will serve as the grantee and receive the funds
- Groups of organizations (such as coalitions or collaboratives) are eligible to apply, but only one organization may apply and receive the award on behalf of the group.
- Organizations that received Minnesota Community IDEAS awards in the past are not eligible to apply.
For more information, visit SPMF.
