Rural Needs Grant Round

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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 Needs Grant Round for planning and implementation of projects or programs that address rural needs. 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

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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