Rural Poverty Fund Grants

About This Grant

Foundation: Brainerd Lakes Area Community Foundation, Central Minnesota Community Foundation

Brief Description

In even years (2024, 2026, 2028…) the Central Minnesota Community Foundation and the Initiative Foundation are jointly offering the Rural Poverty Fund grants for planning and implementation of projects or programs that address rural poverty. Grant funds may: Establish or supplement existing emergency and transitional activities which directly address specific and immediate needs that rural people have due to poverty or be used to assess community needs and assets, develop action plans, or provide for project implementation in rural areas. Grants must relate to a variety of identified programs or agency needs.

What We Fund

  • General Operations
  • New programs/projects
  • Expanded programs/projects
  • Population Served: Those in poverty

Eligible organizations: 501(c) 3 nonprofit organizations, schools or government entities

Geographic Area: 14 counties that encompass Central Minnesota: Benton, Cass, Chisago, Crow Wing, Isanti, Kanabec, Mille Lacs, Morrison, Pine, Sherburne, Stearns, Todd, Wadena, and Wright and the sovereign Native nations of the Leech Lake and Mille Lacs Bands of Ojibwe that share our geography.

Funding Amount Range: $1,000-$5,000

Focus Areas

  • Establish or supplement existing emergency and transitional activities
  • Assess community needs and assets
  • Development of action plans
  • Provide for project implementation

Favorable Considerations

What We Don’t Fund

  • Individuals
  • Religious organizations for religious purposes (Funding for Faith-Based Organizations Policy)
  • Political organizations or political campaigns.
  • Annual fundraising drives
  • Endowments
  • Debt retirement or deficit financing
  • Projects that have already been completed

Application Process

1)

Submit application online using the CommunityGiving Grant Management System.

2)

The Grant Advisory Committee will recommend applications for funding to the Board of Directors.

3)

The Board of Directors will make final funding decisions.

All notification about this grant will be through emails.

Payout of Grants: upon recipient of electronically signed Grant Agreement.

Grantee Required Documents: Grant Agreement, Progress Report, Final Report. Required follow up documents will be submitted through the CommunityGiving Grant Management System.

For questions about this grant or the online Grant Management System please call (320) 257-9715.