Other Funding Sources

Upcoming grant deadlines | Past grant deadlines | Rolling deadlines | Grant resources

Upcoming grant deadlines

Hart Family Fund for Small Towns
Deadline - May 1: This grant is intended to encourage preservation at the local level by providing seed money for preservation projects in small towns with populations of 10,000 or less. Learn more »

Arts Experiences
Deadline - May 2: Minnesota State Arts Board - Arts Experiences provides project grants that individuals and organizations can use to offer arts activities that are meaningful for Minnesota residents and communities. Funds may be used for a variety of arts projects such as creating and/or presenting concerts, plays, tours, exhibitions, arts festivals, public art, or other kinds of arts programming that engage Minnesota audiences and participants. Applicants may request between $5,000 - $35,000. Learn more »

Scholarship in Risk Management for Heritage
Deadline - May 5: Heritage Collections Care Consortium - Supports heritage professionals working in museums, libraries, archives, and historic houses in developing their knowledge and skills in managing risks for heritage collections. Funding covers attendance at a two-day highly practical workshop in Risk Management in Heritage teaching how to use Risk Management in Heritage (also known as the ABC) methodology in practice. Learn more »

Archives Collaboratives
Deadline - May 7: National Archives and Records Administration - Seeks Archives Collaboratives of three or more repositories working together to make their collections more readily available for public discovery and use. Learn more »

Publishing Historical Records in Collaborative Digital Editions
Deadlines - May 7 & November 5:  National Archives and Records Administration - Seeks proposals to publish online editions of historical records. All types of historical records are eligible, including documents, photographs, born-digital records, and analog audio. Projects may focus on broad historical movements in U.S. history, such as law (including the social and political history of the law), politics, social reform, business, military, the arts, and other aspects of the national experience. Learn more »

Archival Projects
Deadlines - May 7 & November 5:  National Archives and Records Administration - Seeks archival projects that will significantly improve online public discovery and use of historical records collections. We welcome projects that engage the public, expand civic education, and promote understanding of the nation’s history, democracy, and culture from the founding era to the present day. Learn more »

Descendant and Family Stewardship Initiative
Deadline - May 8:  National Trust for Historic Places - Supported by the Mellon Foundation, the Action Fund’s Descendant and Family Stewardship Initiative supports descendant community and family-led organizations to be leaders in the physical preservation, interpretative programming, management, and governance of historic African American places. Learn more »

Core Grants Program
Deadline - May 15 (New applicants) | June 30 (Previous applicants): Needmor Fund - These grants provides general operating support to groups engaged in the work of community organizing around social justice. Learn more »

Publication Awards
Deadline - May 15: Disability History Association - Accepting applicants for their Publication Awards for the following: Outstanding Book Award and Outstanding Article or Book Chapter Award. Learn more »

Virginia McKnight Binger Heart of Community Honor 
Deadline - May 15: McKnight Foundation in partnership with the Minnesota Council of Foundations - This awards program celebrates seven everyday champions from across the state whose compassion and contributions serve as the heartbeat of our communities, and who inspire others to join in creating a more caring and connected state. Each honoree receives $10,000 in recognition of the significant impact they have had on the State of Minnesota and its communities. Learn more »

AMM Exhibit Professionals Conference Fellowship
Deadline - May 19: Association of Midwest Museums and Museum EXP announce the return of The Exhibit Professionals Conference Fellowship, featuring an all-inclusive experience to attend the AMM 2025 Conference in Davenport, Iowa. Professionals working in any exhibit discipline and located in one of the eight Midwest states of the AMM network are invited to apply. Learn more »

Al Larvick Conservation Fund
Deadlines - June 1 - This Fund operates a grant program for the conservation of home and amateur audiovisual materials (moving image: analog film and video only) and their digital capture. Grants are open to individuals, institutions, and organizations. The program currently makes grants up to $5,000 under two separate categories: The Al Larvick Regional Grant which is limited to collections reflecting life in the upper Midwest states of North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, and Montana, and the Al Larvick National Grant which is limited to works recorded within the United States and primarily outside of North Dakota. Learn more »

Shavlik Family Foundation
Deadline - June 1: This foundation funds technology requests for Minnesota-serving nonprofit organizations with grants ranging from $1,000 - $30,000. The Foundation is primarily focused on information and technology resources that remove barriers or build capacity for nonprofits and their clients. Learn more »

Cultural Expression
Deadline - June 6: Minnesota State Arts Board - This pilot program supports activities that share, explore, pass on, express, or celebrate culture through the arts. Culture may be defined by a common ethnicity, tribal affiliation, geographic or regional identity, occupation, language, or recreation. Traditional and contemporary forms of cultural expression may be funded in this program. Funds could be used to support practicing a cultural art form; presenting cultural festivals, community celebrations, performances, media or exhibitions; offering demonstrations, etc. Funds could also be used to deepen or pass on cultural traditions through apprenticeships or documentation. Learn more »

Elmer L. Andersen Research Scholars Program                
September 15 - (Deadline): This program supports scholarly research projects using materials from the Libraries’ rare and special collections. Named for former governor and University of Minnesota regent Elmer L. Andersen, the new program honors the Governor’s passion for collecting and for expanding the use of the collections. The program is available to scholars, including faculty, graduate, postgraduate, and independent researchers, using the collections in the Department of Archives and Special Collections. This program is not available to currently enrolled University of Minnesota graduate or undergraduate students or UM faculty.

The program will provide support for research projects that require the use of one or more of the collections. Awards range from $500 to $2,000 and provide funds for travel, housing, and other research-related costs. The final research product (e.g., journal article, documentary film) must acknowledge the Libraries’ support and be deposited with the University Libraries. Learn more » 

Past Deadlines

While these opportunities have passed, it may be good to review them for the next round.

Latinos in Heritage Conservation Launches Nation's First Grant Program dedicated to funding Latinx Heritage Projects
Deadline - February 15, 2025 Latinos in Heritage Conservation - Latinos in Heritage Conservation (LHC) is launching a groundbreaking grant program with $600,000 in annual funding to support Latinx heritage preservation projects by grassroots nonprofits and community groups across the United States. This equity-centered initiative aims to elevate diverse projects and enhance accessibility through resources like Spanish-language application materials and personalized support. Learn more »

Duluth Preservation Alliance Grant Program 
Deadline - February 15, 2025  Duluth Preservation Alliance - This grant program provides essential financial assistance for the preservation and restoration of historic properties in the Duluth area. Non-profit and public organizations can apply for grants of up to $1,000, with a total of $4,000 available annually for maintenance projects on historically significant structures. Learn more »

Conservation and Exhibition Grant
Deadline - February 15, 2025  Foundation for Advancement in Conservation - Grants to support conservation projects in glazing applications for preservation and exhibition of museum and library collections. The goals of this grant program include increasing knowledge of glazing applications, supporting the preservation of collections, promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion, and encouraging the involvement of conservators in museum and library collection projects. Funds are to help defray direct project costs, including contract workers, display fabrication, supplies, and publicity. Up to four awards will be made each year. Each award includes a cash amount of up to $3,000 and a donation of museum acrylic or laminated glass for use directly related to the conservation and display project. Learn more »

American Historical Association Research Grants
Deadline - February 15, 2025  American Historical Association - AHA members are eligible to apply for research grants with the aim of advancing the study and exploration of history in a diverse number of subject areas. Learn more »

AARP Purpose Prize Award
Deadline: February 28, 2025 - This AARP award is a one-of-a-kind national award that honors people age 50-plus who are using their life experience to make a better future for us all. The award recognizes nonprofit founders with $75,000 for their organizations and a year of supports and resources to help broaden their impact. Learn more »

The Eric DeLony Industrial Heritage Preservation Grant Fund
Deadline - March 1, 2025: Society for Industrial Archeology - Grants from $1000 to $3000 for the study, documentation, recordation, and/or preservation of significant historic industrial sites, structures, and objects. Awards are made to nonprofit organizations and qualified individuals. Learn more »

Grants Provided for Arts, Science, and Education Initiatives
Deadline - March 1, 2025: Brabson Family Foundation (formerly Brabson Library and Education Foundation) - This Foundation is a philanthropic organization committed to supporting innovative ideas with a long-term impact, particularly in education and the arts. They provide grants to organizations and individuals who are working to make a difference in these areas. Learn more »

The National Fund for Sacred Places 
Deadline - March 3, 2025   National Trust for Historic Places & Partners for Sacred Places - This grant program is designed to support the preservation of historic houses of worship in the United States. It offers funding for critical repairs and restoration projects, helping communities sustain these important cultural and spiritual landmarks. Learn more »

Cynthia Woods Mitchell Fund for Historic Interiors
Deadline - March 3, 2025: National Trust for Historic Preservation - This fund provides assistance in the preservation, restoration, and interpretation of historic interiors. Grants from the fund range from $2,500 to $15,000. Learn more »

Grants up to $100,000 Bolster Community-Based Archives
March 12, 2025 - (Registration request) | March 28 - (Deadline): Andrew W. Mellon Foundation - General operating support grants to community-based archives in the United States, including U.S. territories. Learn more »

Diversity Scholarship Program
Deadline - April 1: National Trust for Historic Preservation - This scholarship program provides registration for their PastForward Conference in September 2025 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Learn more »

Community Grants Program
Deadline - April 1, 2025:  The Butler Family Foundation’s Community Grants Program awards two-year grants for general operating support or for specific projects and programs. Organizations applying for grants in the arts or human services must work in the urban cores of Saint Paul or Minneapolis or in the East Metropolitan suburbs. Organizations applying for grants in the environment may work anywhere in Minnesota. Learn more »

Accessible Arts Grant Program
Deadline - April 4, 2025:  Minnesota State Arts Board - People with disabilities encounter significant barriers in the arts as creators, participants, and attendees. This pilot program will provide project grants to enhance accessibility through professional development, accessibility audits, and small equipment investments that promote long-term improvements. Learn more »

Scholarship in Emergency Management for Heritage Collections
Deadline - April 7, 2025: Heritage Collections Care Consortium - Trains collections care professionals in developing an emergency management program for collections. Funding covers attendance in an online course in Emergency Preparedness: Strategies for Museums, Archives, and Libraries and participation in a tailored tutoring session focused on key aspects of emergency management, with dates arranged to accommodate all scholars. Learn more »

Recordings at Risk
Deadline - April 14: Council on Library and Information Resources (CLIR) - This national regranting program supports the preservation of rare and unique audio, audiovisual, and other time-based media of high scholarly value through digital reformatting. Learn more »

J.M.K. Innovation Prize
Deadline - April 25: J.M. Kaplan Fund - Prize Advances Innovative Heritage Conservation, Environment, and Social Justice Projects. The J.M.K. Innovation Prize will support ten early-stage projects with transformative potential in the fields of heritage conservation, the environment, and/or social justice. Learn more »

Rolling deadlines

Ben & Jerry’s Foundation National Grassroots Organizing Program
Rolling Deadline - The National Grassroots Organizing Program (NGO) offers two-year unrestricted, general operating support grants of up to $30,000 per year, with an average grant size of $20,000 per year, to small (budgets under $350,000), constituent-led grassroots organizations throughout the United States and its territories. Learn more »

Foundation of the American Institute for Conservation (FAIC) Grants and Scholarships                
Grants and scholarships are available in several categories including Professional Development, Conservation, Outreach, and Emergency Preparedness & Response. Visit website »

Early American Art and Heritage Projects Supported
Americana Foundation - American Heritage program area supports projects and programs throughout the United States that seek to broaden the inclusivity of early American art and the early American historical narrative to "tell the full story of" the American experience. Learn more »

Folk Arts & Cultures and Native Arts & Cultures Programs
Margaret A. Cargill Philanthropies - An invitation-based grantmaking process focusing on native and folk arts and cultures supporting the intergenerational transmission of artistic skill and cultural knowledge. Learn more »

Community Building Grant Program 
Deadline - ongoing: Compeer Financial - This grant program supports brick-and-mortar projects in communities across Compeer Financial’s service territory in Illinois, Minnesota, and Wisconsin. Support is provided for building projects that allow community members to gather or that provide opportunities for education and showcase agriculture. Projects must be located in a rural community or serve agriculture or farmers. Funds are designated for new construction or major renovations. Grant amount: $2,500 to $10,000. Learn more »

McKnight Foundation: Arts & Culture Grant Program
This program aims to empower Minnesota's working artists and culture bearers, recognizing their vital role in fostering creativity, diversity, and justice in the community. Through a mix of grantmaking, fellowships, and collaboration, the program supports structures that equip artists to practice, produce, and lead. Learn more »

Northwest Area Foundation
An invitation-based grantmaking process focusing on building racial, social, and economic justice for Native Americans, communities of color, immigrants, refugees, and people in rural areas. Learn more »

Community Identity & Heritage – Festivals Grant
Minnesota Humanities Center - $450,000 in grants for Individuals and Organizations in Minnesota, to create programming and educational opportunities, specifically for community events, music and jazz festivals, cultural festivals for art installations, and other performances and activities that support festivals and events. Funding provided on a rolling basis through May 30, 2025. Learn more »

2025 Tribal Nations Tourism Grant Program 
Explore Minnesota - The intention of the grant program is to support development and promotion as it pertains to forming or expanding sustainable tourism assets, culture, heritage, arts, agritourism, and outdoor recreation for the economic benefit of the 11 federally recognized Tribal Nations and their communities in Minnesota. Learn more »

2025 Recovery Grant Program
Explore Minnesota - Providing funds to individual and collaborative nonprofit Destination Marketing Organizations (DMOs) and other tourism promotion organizations by providing funds for the purpose of tourism marketing and promotion for the economic benefit of their communities. Learn more »

Nonprofit Infrastructure Grant Program                
Propel Nonprofits is accepting applications for the Nonprofit Infrastructure Grant Program (NIGP). The NIGP is aimed at supporting the missions of small, culturally led organizations by strengthening their infrastructure. Increasing the capacity of small organizations that work with historically underserved cultural communities helps position these organizations for greater impact in their community. The NIGP will provide grants, as well as ongoing support to grow the organizational capacity of small Minnesota nonprofits. This is a government reimbursement grant, so Propel Nonprofits staff will also work with grantees to navigate the reimbursement process. Learn more »

Minnesota Council for Nonprofits Scholarships                
Minnesota Council for Nonprofits offers a limited number of partial scholarships for most MCN sponsored trainings and events. Learn more »                
Qualifying Criteria:

1. Employees of organizations with budgets under $1,000,000 that meet one or more of the following criteria:                
   Greater Minnesota organizations from outside the seven-county Twin Cities area; Immigrant and refugee organizations; Culturally specific organizations working with communities of color, and BIPOC-led
2. Individuals                
   Full-time students; Jobseekers; Full-time volunteers (i.e., AmeriCorps, VISTA, Public Allies, etc.)

Blandin Foundation Grants for Rural Minnesota                
The Blandin Foundation, a private foundation based in Grand Rapids, MN, is the largest Minnesota-based foundation serving only rural communities. Start by visiting the About Grants page for details on eligibility and how to submit an inquiry if your project aligns with the Foundation’s focus areas. Learn more »

Richard M. Schulze Family Foundation                
The Richard M. Schulze Family Foundation - creates grant partnerships with organizations that generate transformational results in human and social services, education, and health and medicine. Grantees must serve the people and communities in the 7-county Twin Cities region. Requests to serve counties that fall outside of these are by invitation only. The Foundation seeks proposals that focus on the areas of Human and Social Services, Education, Health, and Medicine. Learn more »

Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation Board                
IRRRB is an economic development program of the State of Minnesota, designed to advance growth on Minnesota's Iron Range. The program provides grants and other funding to local units of government and non-profits to support economic development and vibrant and prosperous communities. Learn more »

Local Government Grants                
Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) has two economic development grants: 

• Greater Minnesota Business Development Public Infrastructure Grant Program
• Innovative Business Development Public Infrastructure Grant Program.

Minnesota Occupational Safety and Health Administration (MNOSHA) - Workplace Safety Consultation (WSC) Safety Grant Program
The Safety Grant Program awards funds up to $10,000 to qualifying employers for projects designed to reduce the risk of injury and illness to their workers. Learn more »

Local Arts Funding                
Willmar Area Community Foundation has funding opportunities for organizations serving Willmar and the Kandiyohi County area. Fund for the Arts program supports small and medium-sized community organizations leading arts activities conducted by community organizations.

Jeffris Family Foundation                
The Jeffris Family Foundation assists the preservation of historic sites for nonprofit organizations in small towns and cities in the eight Midwest states (WI, MN, IA, MO, IL, IN, OH, MI) in the range of $5,000 to $50,000 through three funding categories:

• The Jeffris Heartland Fund provides matching grants for advanced planning studies for historic preservation projects preparing for a capital campaign and a restoration project.
• Capital Campaign Challenge Grants are made to invited projects which have completed their planning and are ready to launch a capital campaign. Unsolicited applications are not accepted. Applicants should submit an Inquiry and will be assigned a Director of the Foundation to help assess the appropriateness of an application well in advance of stated deadlines.
• The Foundation occasionally funds special projects and initiatives it finds of interest.

Art Projects Improving Street Safety
Bloomberg Philanthropies' Asphalt Art Initiative aims to help cities use art and community engagement to improve street safety and revitalize public space. Learn more »

Brooks and Joan Fortune Foundation Grants   
Ongoing – This Foundation primarily provides funds to support education, art, and outreach programs and projects. Learn more »

Needmor’s Core Grants Program            
This grants Program provides general operating support to groups engaged in the work of community organizing. Grantees funded through this program are eligible to receive funding for up to three years, after which an organization may not apply for at least two years. Learn more »

Wells Fargo Grants                
Deadlines Vary: Wells Fargo Foundation - Wells Fargo welcomes applications year-round from qualified nonprofits and educational institutions. Review the site to determine if any of the regions and priorities are a good fit. Then, check out the various program deadlines under 'How To Apply.' Deadlines and grant amounts vary greatly among programs. Learn more »

Bank of America Art Conservation Project (ACP) Grants                
ACP is a unique program that provides grants to nonprofit museums across the world to conserve historically or culturally significant works of art that are in danger of deterioration. Proposals for 2022 ACP grants are being accepted from October 1 to November 30, 2021. Nonprofit cultural institutions of all sizes with artwork requiring conservation are welcome and encouraged to apply. Learn more »

Hometown Grants        
T-Mobile - Applications are open for grants of up to $50,000 each to revitalize community spaces in towns with 50,000 people or less. Applications are open on a quarterly basis. Learn more »

J.M. Smucker Company Community                
Ongoing - One of their primary areas of focus is Culture and the Arts – Support is focused on the visual and performing arts, libraries, museums, and cultural centers. Learn more » (select CHARITABLE REQUEST on their contact form).

Community Impact Grants Program                
The Home Depot Foundation is offering grants of up to $5,000 in its Community Impact Grants Program.

Emergency/Intervention Funding                
National Trust for Historic Preservation - Intervention funding from the National Trust is awarded in emergency situations when immediate and unanticipated work is needed to save a historic structure, such as when a fire or other natural disaster strikes. Funding is restricted to nonprofit organizations and public agencies. Emergency grants typically range from $1,000 to $5,000, but unlike the majority of our grant funding, a cash match is not required for intervention projects. Learn more »

National Trust for Historic Preservation - Peter H. Brink Leadership Fund                
This fund helps to build the capacity of existing preservation organizations and encourages collaboration among these organizations by providing grants for mentoring and other peer-to-peer and direct organizational development and learning opportunities. Grants from the Peter H. Brink Leadership Fund support travel costs and mentor honoraria with a maximum reimbursement of $2,500. Learn more »

National Trust Community Investment Corporation New Markets Tax Credits                
National Trust Community Investment Corporation, a tax credit syndicator, operates by forming a legal partnership with a developer of historic real estate that results in NTCIC making an equity investment in the project in exchange for receiving rights to the federal tax credits generated by the rehabilitation of the property. This is similar to what can be done with state historic tax credits. Combining state and/or federal historic tax credits with the federal New Markets Tax Credit is also a possibility if the project is located in a low-income census tract. Learn more »

National Trust Community Investment Corporation New Markets Tax Credits                
National Trust Community Investment Corporation, a tax credit syndicator operates by forming a legal partnership with a developer of historic real estate that results in NTCIC making an equity investment in the project in exchange for receiving rights to the federal tax credits generated by the rehabilitation of the property. This is similar to what can be done with state historic tax credits. Combining state and/or federal historic tax credits with the federal New Markets Tax Credit is also a possibility if the project is located in a low-income census tract. Learn more »

Wikimedia Foundation Grants                
Grant programs for groups of individuals, Wikimedia affiliates, and non-profit organizations.                
Rapid Grants fund Wikimedia community members to organize projects throughout the year up to $2,000. Projects can include experiments or standard needs that don't need a broad review to get started.

National Council on Public History Awards                
Over $8,000 in award money is available to recognize excellence in the multitude of ways public historians apply their skills to the world around us. Nomination deadlines vary. View all award descriptions and guidelines »

Americans and the Holocaust: A Traveling Exhibition for Libraries  
United States Holocaust Memorial Museum and the American Library Association - Libraries can apply to host the Americans and the Holocaust exhibit that will travel in a second round from 2024 to 2026. This traveling exhibition examines the motives, pressures, and fears that shaped Americans’ responses to Nazism, war, and genocide in Europe during the 1930s and 1940s. Learn more »

Teaching with Primary Sources (TPS) Regional Grant Program      
The Teaching with Primary Sources Regional program promotes the widespread, sustained and effective use of primary sources from the Library of Congress in K-12 classrooms by increasing access to the TPS program. Proposals are accepted on a rolling basis throughout the year. Learn more »

Community Facilities Direct Loan and Grant Program                
The USDA offers a Community Facilities Direct Loan and Grant Program for essential community facilities in rural areas, which includes museums and libraries. Learn more »

Research Grants at Presidential Libraries                
Several private foundations associated with Presidential Libraries provide grants-in-aid to assist researchers studying Presidential Library holdings. Learn more »

Assistive Technology Grants
Rolling Deadline - Rural Technology Fund - This Fund provides grants for Rural Technology Education projects and Assistive Technology projects. They review and award grants every 30-60 days, with no specific deadlines. Rural Technology Fund provides funding for Assistive Technology equipment to increase accessibility for students with disabilities in public schools and libraries. These donations include equipment and software that promote student inclusion and participation. Projects funded include laptops or tablets to utilize speech-to-text, text-to-speech, word processing, magnification, audiobooks, and other accessibility features. Learn more »

National Trust Community Investment Corporation New Markets Tax Credits                
National Trust Community Investment Corporation, a tax credit syndicator, operates by forming a legal partnership with a developer of historic real estate that results in NTCIC making an equity investment in the project in exchange for receiving rights to the federal tax credits generated by the rehabilitation of the property. This is similar to what can be done with state historic tax credits. Combining state and/or federal historic tax credits with the federal New Markets Tax Credit is also a possibility if the project is located in a low-income census tract. Learn more »

Support Available for Professional Theatres and Dance Companies 
The Shubert Foundation is dedicated to sustaining and advancing the live performing arts in the United States. Learn more »

Grant resources

Minnesota Council of Nonprofits 2024 Grants Directory
The 2024 Minnesota Grants Directory is designed to help grantseekers by providing an overview of the state's most active foundations and giving programs. The directory includes basic information on over 100 community foundations, corporate giving programs, and private foundations.

Minnesota Historical and Cultural Heritage Grants (Legacy grants)                
Find guidelines, training information, and application information online. Visit website »

Minnesota Council of Nonprofits                
Fundraising & seeking resources to help organizations prepare for fundraising and learn about a variety of funding sources in Minnesota. Visit website »

State of Minnesota Grants website                
Minnesota State Grants website is the first stop for organizations interested in learning about grant opportunities at 23 state agencies. Visit website »

National Endowment for the Humanities grant application deadlines                
Deadlines for grants from the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH). Visit website »

Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) Grants                
Learn how to Apply for a Grant, or search for Awarded Grants. Visit website »

National Trust for Historic Preservation                
Find guidelines and deadlines for the various grants offered by the National Trust. Visit website »

Arts Grants
Minnesota State Arts Board offers several grants for arts programs and artists. Visit website »

Google Ad grants                
Designed for non-profit organizations, the Google Ad Grants AdWords program awards advertising on the Google.com site. Google Grant recipients use their award of free AdWords advertising on Google.com to raise awareness and increase traffic. Each organization awarded a grant receives at least three months of in-kind advertising. Deadline: Ongoing. Visit website »

Source for Grant Information                
Check out Fundsnet Services, a free directory with information on grants and fundraising. Visit website »