FEE: Free to apply

Blandin Foundation: Small Communities Grants

Deadline: Letter of Inquiry due Thursday, April 17, 2026
Location: Rural Minnesota

The Blandin Foundation is now accepting Letters of Inquiry for its Small Communities Grant Program, supporting rural Minnesota communities—especially those with populations under 5,000.

This program prioritizes funding for projects that strengthen rural communities through:

• Planning

• Implementation

• Capacity Building

Projects should support positive economic, physical, and social change in rural communities and may include community development, beautification, leadership engagement, partnerships, workforce capacity, and more.

Timeline:

• Letter of Inquiry Opens: April 1, 2026

• Letter of Inquiry Closes: April 17, 2026

• Proposal Opens: April 27, 2026

• Proposal Closes: May 15, 2026

• Award Notifications: June 19, 2026

Eligibility: Statewide rural nonprofit organizations

More information & application details:
https://blandinfoundation.org/programs/grants/

FEE: Free to apply

Blandin Foundation: Rural Placemaking Grants

Deadline: Letter of Inquiry due Thursday, April 17, 2026
Location: Rural Minnesota

The Blandin Foundation is accepting applications for Rural Placemaking Grants, which support projects that help rural residents feel more connected, invested, and proud of where they live.

Placemaking projects may include:

• Community-centered design

• Public art and cultural activities

• Gathering spaces and public amenities

• Community beautification and revitalization

• Arts and cultural engagement initiatives

Funding is available in three categories:

• Capacity Building

• Planning

• Implementation

Projects should demonstrate how they will increase civic engagement, community pride, arts visibility, or local capacity for community development.

Timeline:

• Letter of Inquiry Opens: April 1, 2026

• Letter of Inquiry Closes: April 17, 2026

• Proposal Opens: April 27, 2026

• Proposal Closes: May 15, 2026

• Award Notifications: June 19, 2026

Eligibility: Statewide rural nonprofit organizations

More information & application details:
https://blandinfoundation.org/programs/grants/

FEE: Free to apply

Blandin Foundation: Community Wealth Building Grants

Deadline: Letter of Inquiry due Thursday, April 17, 2026
Location: Rural Minnesota

The Blandin Foundation is now accepting Letters of Inquiry for its Community Wealth Building Grants, which support projects that strengthen healthy rural communities by investing in local financial, cultural, social, and workforce assets.

This grant program supports work related to:

• Affordable housing and housing stability

• Community-based economic development

• Workforce and talent development

• Equitable access to capital

• Community-level wealth building strategies

The program is designed to help rural communities and Native Nations build long-term economic opportunity while reducing disparities tied to place, race, and class.

Timeline:

• Letter of Inquiry Opens: April 1, 2026

• Letter of Inquiry Closes: April 17, 2026

• Proposal Opens: April 27, 2026

• Proposal Closes: May 15, 2026

• Award Notifications: June 19, 2026

Eligibility: Statewide rural nonprofit organizations

More information & application details:
https://blandinfoundation.org/programs/grants/

FEE: Free to apply

Grant Opportunity for Individuals and Organizations: FY 2027 Cultural Expression

Application Deadline: Friday, June 5, 2026 by 4:30 p.m.
Info Session: Tuesday, May 5, 2026 | 12:00–1:00 p.m.
Location: Online

The Minnesota State Arts Board is now accepting applications for the FY 2027 Cultural Expression grant program. This pilot program supports arts activities that share, explore, preserve, pass on, express, or celebrate the culture of a community through traditional and contemporary art forms rooted in cultural traditions.

Eligible projects may include cultural festivals, performances, exhibitions, apprenticeships with master artists or culture bearers, documentation projects, and opportunities for community members to learn or practice traditional cultural art forms.

Application materials, eligibility details, program guidelines, and applicant resources are available here: https://www.arts.state.mn.us/grants/cultural-expression.htm

A free virtual information session will be held on Tuesday, May 5 from 12:00–1:00 p.m.