[Bush Foundation](https://www.bushfoundation.org)

January 28, 2026 (Interest form, 1:00 p.m. Central) | April 30, 2026 (Full application, invited orgs, 1:00 p.m. Central)

9 grants of $125,000 each (unrestricted); annual total pool $1.6 million; one-year duration.

Supports innovative, community-led projects in Minnesota and Native Nations, emphasizing equity and lasting community impact through a unique, community-driven selection process.

--- ## Description The Minnesota Community IDEAS Grant Program is an annual initiative designed to fund bold, creative ideas that drive meaningful and community-led change across Minnesota and the 11 Native Nations within its geography. The program is rooted in values of innovation, development, equity, agency, and solutions, with a strong focus on supporting historically underserved communities. Funded projects may address a wide range of local challenges and are selected by community-led committees to ensure equitable access and community ownership. Grants are unrestricted and can be used for any charitable purpose aligned with the program’s vision, including operating, programmatic, or capital expenses. --- ## Due Dates - **January 28, 2026**: Interest form submission deadline (must be submitted by 1:00 p.m. Central) - **April 30, 2026**: Full application submission deadline for selected/invited organizations (must be submitted by 1:00 p.m. Central) Applicants must first submit an interest form; only those randomly selected will be invited to submit a full application. --- ## Funding Amount - **Grant Size**: $125,000 per awarded organization (unrestricted) - **Number of Awards**: 9 grants annually (3 per target community: Greater Minnesota, Twin Cities Metro Area, Native-led/Native-serving organizations) - **Annual Pool**: $1.6 million awarded per year (2025–2027) - **Grant Term**: One year - **Additional Support**: $750 honorarium for organizations completing a full application (even if not selected) --- ## Eligibility - **Organization Location**: Must be located in Minnesota; funds must benefit Minnesota communities. - **Entity Type**: - 501(c)(3) public charities - Government entities (including schools and tribal governments) - Fiscally sponsored programs (fiscal sponsor must be a 501(c)(3) or government entity) - **Target Communities** (must choose one): - Greater Minnesota (outside 7-county Metro) - Twin Cities Metro Area (Anoka, Carver, Dakota, Hennepin, Ramsey, Scott, Washington counties) - Native-led, Native-serving organizations (at least 51% of board and senior leadership identifying as Native) - **Other Rules**: - Only one interest form per organization/group/collaborative - Past Minnesota Community IDEAS grantees are not eligible - Groups/collaboratives may apply, but only one organization can receive funds --- ## Application Process 1. **Interest Form**: Submit a brief online form between January 5 and January 28, 2026, confirming eligibility and summarizing your idea. - All eligible forms entered into a random selection (20 per target community advance). 2. **Full Application (by invitation only)**: Selected organizations are invited in February to submit a full application by April 30, 2026. - Application support and a $750 honorarium provided. 3. **Review & Selection**: Community Selection Committees review applications and select 3 grantees per target community. 4. **Award Notification**: Grantees notified and awarded in July 2026. 5. **Reporting**: No formal report required; annual reflection meetings with the Foundation. --- ## Additional Information - Funding is **unrestricted**: may be used for operating, program, or capital costs. - The process is intentionally designed to minimize administrative burden and ensure equitable access. - The random selection process for the application phase aims to reduce bias and increase fairness. - Selection is based on alignment with the program’s values (innovation, development, equity, agency, solutions). --- ## External Links - [Program Overview & Guidelines](https://spmcf.org/nonprofits/grants-for-nonprofits/minnesota-community-ideas-program) - [Download Grant Guidelines (PDF)](https://de4vzavwp1bb7.cloudfront.net/general/Nonprofits/Files/Minnesota-Community-IDEAS-Grant-Guidelines.pdf) - [Preview Interest Form Questions (PDF)](https://de4vzavwp1bb7.cloudfront.net/general/Nonprofits/Files/Minnesota-Community-IDEAS-Program-Interest-Form.pdf) - [Preview Full Application Questions (PDF)](https://de4vzavwp1bb7.cloudfront.net/general/Nonprofits/Files/Minnesota-Community-IDEAS-Application-Information.pdf) - [Interest Form Submission Portal](https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=wUBZkKJy6U6QBMyGQo9pju5gArzhuMVHpuCrFEnMJeRUMVk1RjhNMFRYWk9aMFcwMEhRWFA2UllLSy4u) - [2026 Information Session Video](https://vimeo.com/1145758964?share=copy&fl=sv&fe=ci) --- ## Contact Information | Contact | Email | Phone | |------------------------|------------------------------------------------|---------------| | Minnesota Community IDEAS Team | MNCommunityIDEAS@spmcf.org | 651-325-4202 | | Bush Foundation | [Contact Form](https://www.bushfoundation.org/contact-us) | 651-379-2249 |

Minnesota Community IDEAS Grant Program

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