Innovation Fund for Nonprofits and Local Governments in Minnesota

The Initiative Foundation provides grants to nonprofits and local government units for general, program or capacity-building support; projects that advance diversity, equity and inclusion; and strategies to address workforce shortages.

Donor Name: Initiative Foundation

State: Minnesota

County: Selected Counties

Type of Grant: Grant

Deadline: 11/03/2023

Size of the Grant: $5,000

Details:

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.

Funding Information

Grants seldom exceed $5,000 and are not intended to provide ongoing support.

Eligibility Criteria

Innovation Fund 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.

Ineligibility

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.