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
- Matching Funds
- Local cash and in-kind project support is encouraged
- Projects/Programs that support diversity, equity and inclusion. (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Policy)
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