[McKnight Foundation](https://www.mcknight.org)

March 1, 2024 | March 1, 2025 | March 1, 2026

$3,000–$10,000 per grant; one-year support (July–June); no matching required

Provides core operational support to small nonprofit arts organizations in Minnesota’s Region 7E.

Only arts nonprofits in Region 7E with budgets under $174,000 are eligible.

--- ## Description The Essentials Support Grant, administered by the East Central Regional Arts Council (ECRAC) and funded by the McKnight Foundation and the Minnesota Arts & Cultural Heritage Fund, offers one-year general operating support to small nonprofit arts organizations. The grant aims to help organizations in Region 7E (Chisago, Isanti, Kanabec, Mille Lacs, Pine counties, and Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe lands) sustain their ongoing operations, programming, and capacity. Funding is intended for foundational expenses such as staffing, facility costs, supplies, utilities, equipment, insurance, and other core needs, rather than specific projects or events. --- ## Due Dates - March 1, 2024: Full application deadline (FY24) - March 1, 2025: Full application deadline (FY25) - March 1, 2026: Full application deadline (next cycle; annual March 1 deadline) All Essentials Support Grant applications are due by 11:59 p.m. on the deadline date. The grant period runs from July 1 of the application year to June 30 of the following year. --- ## Funding Amount - Award range: $3,000–$10,000 per organization - Support period: One year (July 1–June 30) - No matching funds required - Up to 50% of the grant may be used for staffing costs - Only one Essentials Support Grant per organization per year --- ## Eligibility To be eligible, organizations must: - Be a 501(c)(3) nonprofit arts organization physically located in Minnesota’s Region 7E: Chisago, Isanti, Kanabec, Mille Lacs, Pine counties, or Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe lands - Have an annual organizational budget under $174,000 - Have a minimum of two years of arts programming and at least one year as a 501(c)(3) - Primarily serve Region 7E audiences through arts programming - Not be a current recipient of Minnesota State Arts Board Operating Support - Not have overdue/incomplete ECRAC final reports or a misuse of funds determination - Be open to the public and ADA accessible Ineligible applicants include schools, colleges, libraries, historical societies, civic or human service organizations, and for-profit entities. --- ## Application Process - Applications must be submitted via the [ECRAC Grant Portal](https://www.grantinterface.com/Home/Logon?urlkey=ecrac) - The portal opens 4–6 weeks before the deadline - Required uploads: organizational budget, board list, key personnel résumés, signed certification, and (if applicable) equipment quotes and use plan - Applications are reviewed for eligibility and completeness; scoring is based on artistic quality, organizational ability, community need, and equity/inclusion - Technical assistance is available from ECRAC staff prior to submission - Award notifications are typically issued within two months of the deadline --- ## Additional Information - Grant funds can be used for: facility expenses, utilities, office/art supplies, equipment, insurance, general advertising, board/staff training, memberships, and ADA upgrades - Up to 50% of the grant request may be allocated to staffing costs - Equipment purchases over $500 require three quotes (one from a Minnesota vendor) and an equipment use plan - Final reports are required within 30 days of the grant period end - Organizations may apply for other ECRAC project grants in the same year --- ## External Links - [Essentials Support Grant Program Page](https://www.ecrac.org/grants/organization/essentials-support-grant) - [ECRAC Grant Portal (Application)](https://www.grantinterface.com/Home/Logon?urlkey=ecrac) - [Essentials Support Grant Guidelines PDF](https://www.ecrac.org/sites/default/files/FINAL%20ECRAC%20ACHF%20ESSENTIALS%20SUPPORT%20Grant%20Guidelines%20FY%202024-2025_1.pdf) - [Sample Application (PDF)](https://www.ecrac.org/sites/default/files/FY24-25%20ACHF%20Essentials%20Support%20Grant%20Application%20%28for%20reference%20only%29.pdf) - [ECRAC Contact Page](https://www.ecrac.org/contact) - [McKnight Foundation](https://www.mcknight.org) --- ## Contact Information | Contact | Email | Phone | Website | |----------------------------|-------------------------------|----------------|----------------------------------------------| | ECRAC Executive Director | grantinfo@ecrac.org | 320-336-0200 | [www.ecrac.org](https://www.ecrac.org) | | Online Grant Portal Help | grantinfo@ecrac.org | 320-336-0200 | [ECRAC Grant Portal](https://www.grantinterface.com/Home/Logon?urlkey=ecrac) | For best results, contact ECRAC staff well in advance of the deadline for technical assistance or eligibility questions.

Essentials Support Grant

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