Planning Assistance Grants
The Metropolitan Council's Planning Assistance Grants fund research-driven updates to 2050 Comprehensive Plans, promoting equity, health, and resilience in Twin Cities metro area community planning.
Funder: Metropolitan Council
Due Dates: November 6, 2026 (application deadline) | October 10, 2028 (Early Plan Completion Incentive) | December 31, 2028 (final plan submission for full base grant)
Funding Amounts: $25,000–$40,000 (base grants for most communities); $110,000 (county/consortium); up to $14,000 in incentives per grantee; paid in two installments.
Summary: Supports eligible Twin Cities metro communities, counties, and consortiums in updating their 2050 Comprehensive Plans, with base funding and incentives for early completion and advancing regional goals.
Key Information: Non-competitive; only eligible communities may apply—see official list before preparing an application.
Description
The Metropolitan Council's Planning Assistance Grants program provides direct financial support to select communities, counties, and consortiums in the Twin Cities metro area for the update of their 2050 Comprehensive Plans. The program is designed to reduce the planning burden on smaller and less-resourced municipalities by offering non-competitive, need-based grants. In addition to base funding, eligible grantees can receive additional incentives for early plan completion and for advancing regional goals such as equity, health, and resilience in their comprehensive planning efforts.
