Central Minnesota Arts Grants

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About This Grant

Foundation: Central Minnesota Community Foundation

Brief Description

Every year the Central Minnesota Community Foundation opens this grant round to support small to medium sized arts organizations in Central Minnesota.  The 2026 Arts Grant Round is focused on supporting projects that strengthen our community through visual art, including but not limited to murals, sculptures, mosaics, installations, and other non-performing art forms. Funding is intended to help create publicly accessible, permanent or long-lasting visual artworks that enhance community spaces and contribute to local identity, pride, and vibrancy. 

What We Fund

Eligible organizations:

  • 501(c) 3 Nonprofit Organizations
  • Schools
  • Government entities

Geographic Area: Grant must serve the residents of

  • Benton County
  • Stearns County
  • Sherburne County
  • Wright County

Funding Amount Range: $5,000 to $10,000

Focus Areas

  • Publicly Displayed Visual Art
  • May include but not limited to murals, sculptures, mosaics, installations, and other non-performing art forms

Favorable Considerations

  • Opportunities for community members, especially youth, to participate in the creation process.
  • Projects that reflect local stories, cultures, or identities through collaboration with community members.
  • Build or support collaborative efforts and involve other community partners
  • Has the potential to inspire additional investments in the community
  • Projects/Programs that support diversity, equity and inclusion. (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Policy)

Typically, we do not fund:

  • Individuals

  • Religious organizations for religious purposes 

    Please see our Funding for Faith-Based Organizations Policy

  • Political organizations or political campaigns

    This generally includes organizations with a 501 (c)(4) status that can advocate for causes and propositions and endorse specific candidates.

  • Event sponsorship or annual fundraising drives

  • Multi-year requests

    Organizations seeking continued support beyond the initial grant year are welcome to reapply in subsequent grant cycles.

  • Endowments

  • Debt retirement

    For example, grant funds should not be used to: pay off an organization’s loans, lines of credit, unpaid bills, or deficits, cover past due obligations, such as back taxes or unpaid rent, refinance existing liabilities, even if related to previously funded projects

  • Projects that have already been completed

    Applications seeking reimbursement for past work, retroactive funding, or previously concluded programs and completed capital projects are typically ineligible.

  • Individual academic scholarships for post-secondary education

  • Grants solely for the purpose of travel or conferences

    Specifically, we do not fund travel for staff of agencies or organizations

  • Government funding that has been reduced or eliminated

    Our resources are primarily intended to catalyze innovation, support sustainable solutions, and build long-term capacity, rather than substituting for public sector obligations.

Applicants who are unsure of their project or program’s eligibility are advised to reach out to our local staff prior to applying. This helps maintain an efficient review process for all.

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 and Final Report. Progress Report may be required if requested. 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.

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