Current Grant Opportunities

Minnesota Emergency Ambulance Service Aid

The Minnesota Legislature enacted a one-time Emergency Ambulance Service Aid appropriation of $24,000,000 for aids payable in 2024.  The application window for eligible ambulance services to apply for ambulance aid funds is now open. Applications are due to the Minnesota Emergency Medical Service Regulatory Board and the Minnesota Department of Revenue by Sept. 16.

Learn more and apply for Minnesota ambulance aid.

Minnesota State Competitiveness Fund Match Program

Minnesota Department of Commerce is seeking applications for the Minnesota State Competitiveness Fund.

This legislatively created program is intended to increase the competitiveness of Minnesota in securing federal funding from the Infrastructure and Investment Jobs Act and the Inflation Reduction Act. Awards from these federal programs is critically important to ensuring the state’s economy is strong and growing.

The Minnesota State Legislature allocated $100 million for the Department of Commerce to award grant funding to eligible Minnesota entities and projects to enhance the likelihood of these entities receiving federal funding awards under the IIJA and IRA programs. Projects selected for SCF matching funds must demonstrate that the project will help meet the state’s clean energy and energy-related climate goals through renewable energy development, energy conservation, efficiency, or energy-related greenhouse gas reduction benefits.

The legislation stipulates:

  • No single entity may receive grants totaling more than $15 million.
  • At least $75 million of the fund must be allocated for grant awards of less than $1 million.

Proposals are due Sept. 6, 2024.

Learn more and apply for funding through the Minnesota State Competitiveness Fund.

Railroad Crossing Elimination Grant Program

The Railroad Crossing Elimination (RCE) Program provides federal funds for highway-rail crossing improvement projects and studies that focus on improving the safety and mobility of people and goods. Projects will improve the American rail infrastructure to enhance rail safety, improve the health and safety of communities, eliminate highway-rail and pathway-rail grade crossing that are frequently blocked by trains, and reduce the impacts that freight movement and railroad operations may have on underserved communities. Cities are eligible to apply.

Eligible projects include:

  • Track relocation
  • The improvement or installation of protective devices.
  • Signals
  • Signs
  • Other measures to improve safety, provided that such activities are related to a separation or relocation project as described.
  • Other means to improve the safety and mobility of people and goods at highway-rail grade crossings.

Application deadline is Sept. 23, 2024 

Learn more and apply for railroad crossing elimination funds.

State Housing Tax Credit and Contribution Fund Open for Applications

The State Housing Tax Credit Program and Contribution Fund (SHTC Contribution Program) is a new statewide program that provides funding to help finance affordable multifamily and single-family housing developments and is funded entirely by taxpayer contributions. Funds contributed to the General Contribution Pool are awarded through a competitive request for proposals (RFP) process. Cities are eligible to apply.

Eligible uses of the funds include:

  • New construction
  • Acquisition/rehabilitation
  • Rehabilitation
  • Demolition or removal of existing structures (in conjunction with new unit development or rehabilitation; not a standalone use)

Minnesota Housing is now accepting applications for the 2024 SHTC Contribution Program. Applications are due Sept. 19.

Learn more and apply for SHTC Contribution Program funding.

Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation

The Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation (SMIF) is currently seeking applicants for two grant opportunities that aim to support economic growth in 20 counties in south central and southeastern Minnesota.

Inclusive and Equitable Entrepreneurial Communities Grants

This grant supports organizations that are providing direct resources and services to start and expand business opportunities within diverse and/or traditionally underserved populations in southern Minnesota. SMIF seeks applications that encourage communities to build inclusive, welcoming environments to advance equitable entrepreneurship opportunities in the lives of all people. The deadline is Aug. 5, 2024.

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

Small Town Grant Program

Small communities are the fabric of our region, yet sometimes lack the financial resources to build on the assets and uniqueness of their communities. A key component to creating a vibrant region is to ensure all its communities are strong and successful. The Small Town Grant Program seeks to invest in collaborative initiatives that improve the way your community works together, solves challenges, creates a welcoming community and sense of belonging for all. SMIF seeks proposals from communities under 10,000 in population, that will impact the culture, education, economy and/or social aspects of the town. The deadline is Aug. 26, 2024.

Learn more and apply to the Small Town Grant Program.

Livable Communities Grant Programs

The Metropolitan Council’s Livable Communities Demonstration Account (LCDA) provides funding for projects that increase access to housing, jobs, services, and transit in an effort to support more equitable, livable communities in the region.

LCDA program goals include:  

  • Maximizing connections between housing, jobs, and regional amenities like parks, trails, and cultural centers.
  • Creating more housing choices through introducing new housing types or preserving affordable housing.
  • Minimizing the project’s impact on climate change through sustainable site design and building practices.
  • Supporting economic opportunity by creating living wage jobs and training opportunities.
  • Realizing more equitable development outcomes.

The application deadline is Aug. 12, 2024.

Learn more and apply for Livable Communities Grant Program funding.

McKnight Foundation’s Vibrant & Equitable Communities

The Vibrant & Equitable Communities (Communities) program fosters shared power, prosperity, and participation through four strategies:

  • Accelerate economic mobility.
  • Build community wealth.
  • Cultivate a fair and just housing system.
  • Strengthen democratic participation.

Within these strategies, the McKnight Foundation seeks to achieve systemic improvements in individual, community, and societal outcomes. It looks to the ingenuity of people working together across Minnesota to craft solutions that meet community-defined needs, address local context, and shift policies, practices, and institutions in lasting ways. It is recommended that applications be submitted by Sept. 1, 2024.

Learn more and apply for Vibrant & Equitable Communities funding.

Community Innovation grants

The Bush Foundation’s Community Innovation (CI) grant program is a flexible program that invests in great ideas and the people who power them across our region. The program aims to:

  • Develop, test, and spread great ideas.
  • Inspire, equip, and connect leaders.

Learn more and apply for a CI grant.

Establish a Local Housing Trust Fund With Help From the Minnesota Housing Partnership

The Minnesota Housing Partnership (MHP) is offering free assistance to rural communities to establish Local Housing Trust Funds (LHTF). Funds can be used for education on Local Housing Trust Funds, as well as implementation of LHTF programs and community engagement activities.

In 2023, the Minnesota Legislature appropriated $4.8 million to a Local Housing Trust Fund (LHTF) State Match Program; with $1 million appropriated in a prior year, available funds for the state match program total $5.8 million. An application for state match funds is likely to be released in late summer or early fall.

Learn more and apply for free technical assistance from MHP to establish or implement your LHTF.

Transportation Economic Development Funding

Cities, counties, tribes, and other government entities in Greater Minnesota can apply for funds for transportation infrastructure projects on state highways that support economic development through the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT). 

MnDOT’s Transportation and Economic Development (TED) program is a competitive funding program designed to help generate economic benefits through investment in transportation infrastructure. In this round of the TED program, $4.445 million is available in Greater Minnesota for projects in calendar years 2025-2027. Funding available under the TED program can only be used on trunk highway eligible projects. Under this competitive solicitation, project points are awarded based on contributions to transportation and economic development with additional considerations for non-MnDOT funding and a project risk assessment.

To be considered for funding, interested agencies may first submit an expression of interest form. District staff will then work with applicants to review the project and help them submit an application. Expressions of interest are requested by July 8, 2024. Full applications are due by Sept. 9, 2024.

Learn more and apply for TED program funding.

Funding for National Electric Vehicle Charging Network Expansion

The Charging and Fueling Infrastructure Discretionary Grant Program (CFI Program) is a competitive grant program to strategically deploy publicly accessible electric vehicle charging and alternative fueling infrastructure in the places people live and work, in addition to along designated Alternative Fuel Corridors (AFCs).

The CFI Program is divided into two distinct grant funding categories and requires that 50% of the funding over five years is made available for both communities and corridors:

  • Community Charging and Fueling Grants: This program will strategically deploy publicly accessible EV charging infrastructure and hydrogen, propane, and natural gas fueling infrastructure in urban and rural communities.
  • Alternative Fuel Corridor Grants: This program will strategically deploy publicly accessible EV charging infrastructure and hydrogen, propane, and natural gas fueling infrastructure along designated AFCs.

Eligible applicants include states, metropolitan planning organizations, local governments, port authorities, Indian American tribes, U.S. territories, and more.  Applications are due in grants.gov by Aug. 28, 2024. Previously unselected applicants will have the option to request by July 1, 2024 that FHWA reconsider previously submitted applications. 

Learn more and apply for CFI grant funding.

MNOSHA 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.

To qualify, an employer must meet several conditions, including but not limited to:

  • Having been in business for at least two years.
  • Having at least one employee to create the employer/employee relationship.
  • Having workers’ compensation insurance.
  • Having had an on-site hazard survey conducted by a qualified safety professional and a written report of the findings and recommendations to reduce the risk of injury or illness to employees.
  • Having the knowledge and experience to complete the project and is committed to its implementation.
  • Being able to complete the project within 120 days of a fully executed contract.

To qualify, the project must be supported by all public entities involved and comply with federal, state, and local regulations where applicable.

Businesses that are the current focus of the Minnesota OSHA Workplace Safety Consultation strategic plan will be given added priority. If your grant is approved, you will be notified in writing of the specific approval. Whether we approve your grant application or not, in no way diminishes, delays, or absolves you of any obligation to abate safety and health hazards. When a project is complete, the applicant must submit a certificate of completion form, with invoices and proof of payment, to the grants administrator, to initiate issuance of the grant. An employer that has received a grant for a particular worksite will not be eligible to receive another grant for that worksite during the two years after the date of their award.

Learn more and apply to the MNOSHA WSC: Safety Grant Program.

Safe Streets and Roads for All

The federal bipartisan infrastructure law established the Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) discretionary grant program with $5 billion in appropriated funds over five years, 2022-2026.

The SS4A program funds regional, local, and tribal initiatives through grants to prevent roadway deaths and serious injuries. Over $3 billion is still available for future funding rounds. The SS4A program supports the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Roadway Safety Strategy and the goal of zero roadway deaths using a safe system approach. 

  • Aug. 29, 2024: Deadline three for planning and demonstration grants.

State Funds may be available to provide technical assistance to local agencies and tribal governments wanting to apply for federal discretionary grants.

Learn more and apply for a SS4A funding.

Solar on Public Buildings Grant Program

The Solar on Public Buildings Grant Program will equip cities, towns, counties, and other local governments and Tribal Nations to lower utilities costs, increase energy independence, expand the clean energy workforce, and take essential action to address climate change.

$4.3 million in state funding will be distributed to local governments to build solar arrays (system size up to 40 kilowatts) across Xcel Energy territory in Minnesota. These grants can be paired with federal clean energy tax credits now available to local governments.

Learn more and apply for Solar on Public Buildings Grant Program funding.

Green and Resilient Retrofit Program (GRRP)

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) Green and Resilient Retrofit Program (GRRP) provides loan and grant funding to deliver energy efficiency and electrification improvements to HUD-assisted housing, which can fund retrofitting properties up to $40,000-$80,000 per unit. HUD is accepting applications on a rolling basis, two will be occurring in 2024. Funded under the Inflation Reduction Act, the GRRP is the first HUD program to invest simultaneously in energy efficiency, greenhouse gas emissions reductions, energy generation, and climate resilience strategies specifically in HUD-assisted multifamily housing.

Learn more and apply for GRRP funding.

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.

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

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

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