Civic Engagement Grants will support nonpartisan organizations that promote social change, cultivate local leadership, educate communities about government and civic systems, and encourage participation in public meetings.
Donor Name: West Central Initiative
State: Minnesota
County: Becker County (MN), Clay County (MN), Douglas County (MN), Grant County (MN), Otter Tail County (MN), Pope County (MN), Stevens County (MN), Traverse County (MN), Wilkin County (MN)
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 02/26/2026
Size of the Grant: $1000 to $10,000
Grant Duration: 1 Year
Details:
The nonpartisan organization or project is working to bring about social change, cultivate local leadership in the public or nonprofit sector, provide community education on government and other civic systems, and encourage participation in public meetings.
Civic Engagement Grants Allowable Uses and Expenses
Listed below are some examples of things that grant dollars might be used for:
- Education (e.g., educating about nonprofit leadership, civics and the constitution, voter registration, or curriculum development for schools on civic education and engagement.)
- Activities (e.g., speakers for New American audiences, sessions on how American democracy works, layers of government, intro to American democracy, registering to vote, workshops or seminars on civic responsibilities, or training programs for marginalized or underrepresented groups to increase participation in public decision-making and advocacy.)
- Removing barriers to voters and voter registration or encouraging engagement in other civic activities.
Funding Information
Grants will range from $3,000 to $25,000. However, most grants will range from $3,000 to $10,000.
Grant Period
May 2026–April 2027.
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for West Central Initiative Grants, your organization must:
- Be a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, public or nonprofit school, or unit of government (including Tribal government or division) or must be fiscally sponsored by another organization with this status.
- Serve people in West Central Initiative’s geography, which includes nine counties: Becker, Clay, Douglas, Grant, Otter Tail, Pope, Stevens, Traverse, and Wilkin and White Earth Nation.
- Funds managed by West Central Initiative are not eligible at this time.
Evaluation Criteria
They will use the criteria listed below to review proposals. The desire to spread awards across the region may result in a proposal being considered for funding even if it does not fully meet all the criteria.
- Sound Planning: The goals of the project and the steps to be taken to achieve them are clearly stated. The budget is realistic in relation to the applicant’s goals and activities.
- Organizational Capacity: The applicant’s proposal demonstrates that they have the capacity, leadership, and resources needed to complete the work to be funded.
- Inclusive Community Engagement: The proposed project engages diverse populations and advances new community collaborations. The funded work will strengthen community partnerships and mobilize community members, particularly historically excluded groups.
- Impact: The results of the proposed work are clearly stated. The applicant has defined the quantitative (countable) and/or qualitative (describable) measures they will use to gauge the success of their efforts.
For more information, visit West Central Initiative.
