Current Grant Opportunities

Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Prevention Grant Program

Cities are eligible to apply for grants through the Consumer Product Safety Commission to purchase and install carbon monoxide (CO) alarms in residential homes and dwelling units of low-income families and facilities that serve children or the elderly, including child care centers, public schools, and senior centers. The funding can also be used to develop training and public education programs with the goal of preventing CO poisoning. The deadline is Dec. 15.

Learn more about the CO Poisoning Prevention Grant Program and apply for funding.

2024 RAISE Grant Program

The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) has published a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for $1.5 billion in grant funding through the Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) discretionary grant program for 2024. The program helps communities around the country carry out projects with significant local or regional impact.

RAISE discretionary grants help project sponsors at the state and local levels, including municipalities, tribal governments, counties, and others complete critical freight and passenger transportation infrastructure projects. The eligibility requirements of RAISE allow project sponsors to obtain funding for projects that may be harder to support through other USDOT grant programs.

Half of the funding will go to projects in rural areas, and half of the funding will go to projects in urban areas. At least $15 million in funding is guaranteed to go toward projects located in areas of persistent poverty or historically disadvantaged communities, and projects located in these areas will be eligible for up to 100% federal cost share. The application deadline is Feb. 28, 2024, and selections will be announced no later than June 27.

Learn more and apply for a RAISE grant.

Rural Capacity Program

Small cities across Minnesota with a population under 3,000 are encouraged to seize the opportunity for community growth and economic development. The Rural Capacity Program, funded through a special appropriation from the State of Minnesota and facilitated by Community Economic Development Associates (CEDA), is now accepting applications from eligible cities.

This initiative aims to empower smaller communities by providing essential resources to boost their economic development efforts. Up to 18 cities will be selected to receive a grant, offering up to 150 hours of technical service and a financial boost of up to $15,000. The program is designed to support these communities in implementing programs that may otherwise be challenging due to limited resources. The application deadline is Jan. 12, 2024. Successful applicants will be announced in early February.

Learn more and apply for a Rural Capacity Program grant.

Safe Routes to School Infrastructure Funding Available

The 2023 Safe Routes to School (SRTS) Infrastructure grant program solicitation is open for full applications. SRTS programs improve safety, reduce traffic, and improve air quality near schools through a multidisciplinary approach. The program is open statewide to eligible SRTS infrastructure entities.

The SRTS Infrastructure grant program webpage provides the full application link and a step‐by‐step solicitation guide to accompany the form to help ensure complete submissions.  Additionally, the website includes program FAQs as well as the PowerPoint slide deck from the informational webinars held in September.

Letter of Intent responses were shared on Nov. 22, 2023. Full application submittal will close Feb. 2, 2024. Program selections expect to be announced in April or May 2024.

Learn more and apply for a SRTS Infrastructure grant.

Intensive Comprehensive Peace Officer Education Training Program

The Intensive Comprehensive Peace Officer Education and Training (ICPOET) Program is intended to address the critical shortage of peace officers in the state. The ICPOET program provides grants to local and tribal law enforcement agencies that have developed a plan to recruit, educate, and train highly qualified two- and four-year college graduates to become licensed-eligible peace officers in the state. A chief law enforcement officer of an agency may apply for a grant of up to $50,000 for the cost of educating, training, and salary of an eligible peace officer candidate until the candidate is licensed by the POST Board as a peace officer.

The request for proposal (RFP) grant forms will be available mid-December on the Minnesota Department of Public Safety website and geographic diversity in grant distribution will be considered as the applications are received. The grant applications are expected to close before Jan. 31, 2024.

If you have any questions related to the ICPOET program, you may contact Mary Vukelich, program administrator for the ICPOET program, at the Office of Justice Programs, MN Department of Public Safety at 651-201-7623 or by email at Mary.Vukelich@state.mn.us.

Learn more about the Intensive Comprehensive Peace Officer Education and Training Program.

Grants Available for Historic Preservation Projects of Publicly Owned Buildings

The Minnesota Legislature and Gov. Tim Walz have directed $1 million to the State Capital Projects Grants-in-Aid program. This grant program, administered by the Minnesota Historical Society, supports historic preservation construction projects for publicly owned buildings in Minnesota. Eligible properties must be either listed on the National Register of Historic Places or determined to be eligible for listing by the Minnesota State Historic Preservation Office.

Work proposed and completed using the grant funds must meet the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties. Preapplications are due Jan. 26 and final application deadline is March 8.

Learn more and apply for a historic preservation construction grant.

State Competitiveness Fund – Match Program

Has your city applied for or is thinking about applying for federal energy-related Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) or Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) discretionary grant funding? Minnesota Cities are now eligible to apply for a portion of the $100 million Minnesota Department of Commerce State Competitiveness Fund for grants that seek to enhance the likelihood of receiving federal funding awards under the IIJA and IRA programs. Grants can be awarded up to $15 million to assist with federal funding matching requirements.

Learn more and apply for a State Competitiveness Fund grant.

Inclusive and Equitable Communities Grants

The Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation is seeking applicants for the Inclusive and Equitable Communities Grant program. The grant program aims to grow racial diversity, equity, and inclusion opportunities in the area of entrepreneurship for southern Minnesota.

Examples of funded initiatives may include the creation of an entrepreneurial education program for communities of diverse racial backgrounds, organized community dialogue to build racial inclusivity in the area of entrepreneurship, expanded access to business resources and the development of systems to advance racial equity in the entrepreneurial community, and reduce the racial wealth gap among entrepreneurs.

Learn more and apply for an Inclusive and Equitable Communities Grant.

Greater Minnesota Transportation Alternatives grant

Minnesota communities, schools, and their partners are invited to apply for funding on local projects that enhance transportation goals.

The funding ($12.5 million in total) is available in federal funding through the Transportation Alternatives program in Greater Minnesota (each region has a sub-targeted fund). This program offers a competitive grant for communities, schools, and regional agencies to fund pedestrian and bicycle facilities, historic preservation, Safe Routes to School and more.

For the 2023-24 solicitation, applicants first submit a letter of intent to be considered. A regional representative from the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) will contact applicants to help review the project proposal and the steps necessary for delivering a funded project. Applicants will then submit a full grant application.

Projects selected for the Transportation Alternatives program must be implemented in 2028.

Grant solicitation timeline:

  1. Nov. 3, 2023 – Deadline for applicants to submit letters of intent.
  2. Jan. 12, 2024 – Deadline for applicants to submit full applications.
  3. April 15, 2024 – Grant recipients announced.

To learn more and apply for a Greater Minnesota Transportation Alternatives grant.

Planning Grants for Stormwater, Wastewater, and Community Resilience

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) is launching a request for proposals (RFP) to distribute $750,000 for climate planning projects to communities across Minnesota. This funding provides an opportunity for these communities to assess vulnerabilities and begin planning for the effects of Minnesota’s changing climate. This round has no population cap. Applications are due on Dec. 14.

Learn more and apply for a climate planning project grant.

Rail Service Improvement Program Grants

Railroads, rail shippers, cities, and counties are encouraged to apply for up to $9.6 million in available grants for projects that will improve freight rail service that supports economic development. The funding is available through the 2023 Minnesota Rail Service Improvement Program (MRSI). Applications are due Dec. 15.

The funding was approved during the 2023 legislative session. Examples of projects eligible for MRSI funding include railroad tracks, roadbeds, turnouts, bridges, fixed loading/unloading equipment, and buildings. Funding cannot be used for regular or recurring maintenance activities, incomplete or phased projects, or engineering, design, and right of way acquisition costs.

A MnDOT project selection team will review and score eligible applications. Award recipients will be notified in April 2024.

Access grant applications and learn more about the MRSI program.

Drinking Water Planning and Design Funds for PFAS Treatment

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) has $22 million available for planning and design of PFAS treatment systems for owners and operators of community drinking water supply systems in Minnesota. Eligible applicants must have a minimum of four quarters of samples taken from entry points, and a rolling average that exceeds the Environmental Protection Agency draft maximum contaminant level values for PFOS, PFOA, or the Hazard Index MCL of 1.0.

Applications will be accepted on a rolling, first come, first serve basis until all dedicated funds have been awarded or by June 28, 2024, whichever occurs first.

Learn more about this funding opportunity, including how to apply, at the MPCA’s Drinking Water Planning and Design Funds for PFAS Treatment webpage.

Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) Technical Assistance Grants

The Minnesota Department of Transportation (MNDOT) IIJA Technical Assistance Grant Program is now open. $2 Million in state funds is available to qualifying local units of government and tribal governments that seek to submit an application for a federal discretionary grant for a transportation purposes.

State technical assistance funds can be used to hire a consultant for identification of available grants, grant writing, analysis, data collection, technical review, legal interpretations, planning, pre-engineering, application finalization, and similar activities. Learn more and apply for an IIJA Technical Assistance Grant.

Learn more and apply for a IIJA Technical Assistance grant.

Cybersecurity Grant Program Now Available Statewide

The state’s IT agency, Minnesota IT Services (MNIT), in partnership with the Minnesota Cybersecurity Task Force recently released the Whole-of-State Cybersecurity Plan that will be used to implement $23.5 million of funding from the State and Local Cybersecurity Grant Program and the Minnesota Legislature.

Eligibility

All state and local government entities are eligible to participate in the SLCGP, including:

  • A county, municipality, city, town, township, local public authority, school district, special district, intrastate district, council of governments, regional or interstate government entity, or agency or instrumentality of a local government.
  • Authorized Tribal governments and organizations.
  • A rural community, unincorporated town or village, or other public entity.

How to get involved

SALT 2023 Active Transportation & Safe Routes to School Infrastructure

The Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) State Aid for Local Transportation (SALT) office is kicking off the 2023 Active Transportation (AT) and Safe Routes to School (SRTS) Infrastructure Solicitations on Oct. 9, 2023. These two solicitations will run concurrently and provide $13.2 million and $10.9 million, respectively, for funding eligible bicycle and pedestrian improvement projects across the state.

Potential applicants will include state aid cities and counties, non-state aid cites and townships, federally recognized Indian tribes, 501(c)(3) registered nonprofits (AT only) and schools and school districts (SRTS only).

Strong projects will mitigate safety hazards related to interacting with vehicular traffic, create safe and comfortable environments for walking and biking, connect communities and key destinations, and boost public health. Improvements funded by these grants will require a useful life of at least 10 years and must be ready for construction in 2024 or 2025.

The full application submittal period will begin on Nov. 27, 2023, and continue through Feb. 2, 2024. Pending the number of applications received, awards will be announced in April or May 2024

Help More First-Time Homebuyers in Your Community

The Minnesota City Participation Program (MCPP) through Minnesota Housing can help you effectively and efficiently provide first-time homebuyer loans in your community with minimal administrative burden and no administrative fees. By partnering with Minnesota Housing, eligible first-time buyers in your area will have access to our affordable Start Up loan program and down payment and closing cost loans up to $18,000. We’ll connect you to our approved lenders and help you market this opportunity to homebuyers.

How it works

MCPP takes new applications Jan. 2-15 each year. Participants can apply as city, county, or a multi-county. First-time homebuyers access the program through local, approved lenders. Minnesota Housing provides monthly updates on how many buyers in your community are being served by the program.

View a list of approved lenders.

Register for the Minnesota City Participation Program webinar.

Thriving Communities Technical Assistance Program

Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is accepting requests for technical assistance for the Thriving Communities technical assistance program. This funding will help local governments ensure housing needs are considered as part of their infrastructure plans. To be eligible, jurisdictions must be a unit of general local government that is receiving federal transportation funding to support a project that coordinates transportation and housing plans, programs, or investments to benefit residents and businesses located in a disadvantaged community. Priority will be given to jurisdictions with populations of less than 250,000 people, as well as to those receiving certain Department of Transportation competitive funds. Requests will be reviewed as they are received, on a rolling basis, beginning on March 15.

Learn more about the interagency Thriving Communities technical assistance program

Broadband Line Extension Connection Program

Have residents and businesses that don’t have access to broadband? The Broadband Line Extension Connection Program application portal is now accepting applications and provides the opportunity for your community to identify unserved areas that may be eligible for a line extension grant. The Line Extension Connection Program goal is to connect residents and businesses that lack access to broadband internet service to service providers, and then assist in the expense of extending broadband to those locations. Residential and business locations that are unserved (lack access to speeds of at least 25Mbps download and 3Mbps upload) can apply by entering their information into the Line Extension Connection portal. This will initiate their interest in receiving broadband internet service and make their location available for consideration. The Office of Broadband Development will evaluate these bids and required provider documentation and make awards to the providers whose bid proposes the lowest cost to the state for extension of the service. The Minnesota Broadband Line Extension Connection Program has been allocated $15 million in total funding. Limits per line extension are set by Minnesota law. These limits include a per line extension amount that cannot exceed $25,000, and the Office of Broadband Development must ensure the bid is a cost-effective use of state funds.

Learn more about the Broadband Line Extension Connection Program

Residential Retrofits for Energy Equity: Energy Upgrades for Affordable Housing

Residential Retrofits for Energy Equity (R2E2) will provide deep technical assistance to state, local, and tribal governments as well as community-based organizations to jumpstart energy upgrades for single family and multifamily affordable housing, especially in frontline communities. These retrofits will lower utility bills, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve residents’ health, create good-paying local jobs, and help mitigate racial inequity. R2E2 will kick off with training sessions in January for state, local, and community teams on scaling up building energy retrofits and leveraging the unprecedented federal funding available from COVID-19 relief programs, the bipartisan infrastructure law, the Inflation Reduction Act, and other sources. R2E2 is a partnership of the American Council for Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE), Elevate, Emerald Cities Collaborative, and HR&A Advisors, with People’s Climate Innovation Center advising on centering equity in the project and its outcomes and on facilitating community-driven planning processes.

Learn more about Residential Retrofits for Energy Equity

Community Facilities Direct Loan & Grant Program for Rural Areas

Low-interest direct loans, grants, or a combination of the two are available to develop essential community facilities (not including private, commercial, or business undertakings) in rural areas through the Community Facilities Direct Loan & Grant program. The program is offered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Rural Development. Funds can be used to purchase, construct, and/or improve essential community facilities, purchase equipment, and pay related project expenses. Rural areas, including cities, villages, townships, and federally recognized tribal lands, with no more than 20,000 residents according to the latest U.S. Census data, are eligible for this program. Applications for this program are accepted year-round.

Learn more about the Community Facilities Direct Loan & Grant program

Community Heart & Soul Seed Grant Program

The Community Heart & Soul Seed Grant Program provides $10,000 in startup funding for resident-driven groups in small cities and towns to implement the Community Heart & Soul model. Community Heart & Soul engages a motivated and dedicated group of individuals to help your town identify what matters most. The grant program is specifically designed for small cities and towns with populations of 2,500 to 30,000. Grant funding requires a $10,000 cash match from the participating municipality or a partnering organization.

Learn more and apply for a Community Heart & Soul Grant

Minnesota Department of Labor & Industry Safety Grants

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. Applications are accepted continuously and reviewed every two months.
Learn more and apply for a Safety Grant