2026 Minnesota Community IDEAS Grants: Funding Community-Led Innovation Across Minnesota

The Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation has opened the 2026 cycle of the Minnesota Community IDEAS Program, a statewide initiative that supports bold, community-designed solutions that spark meaningful, long-lasting change.

In partnership with the Bush Foundation, the program will award nine unrestricted grants of $125,000 each, distributed across:

• Greater Minnesota
• Twin Cities 7-County Metro Area
• Native-led organizations serving Native communities across Minnesota and the 11 Native Nations

Eligible organizations may submit a brief Interest Form from January 5–28, 2026 (1:00 PM CST). Once submissions close, a randomized selection process will determine which organizations advance to the complete application stage.

The program is intentionally designed to reduce barriers, center community voice, and uplift ideas rooted in equity, innovation, development, agency, and durable, community-led solutions.

About the Minnesota Community IDEAS Program

The Minnesota Community IDEAS Program aims to inspire, equip, and connect communities as they design, test, and scale solutions that make Minnesota better for everyone. It champions community-led innovation and intentionally removes traditional barriers so organizations of all sizes can participate.

The program is guided by five pillars (I-D-E-A-S):

• Innovation — Advancing bold, creative approaches to community challenges
• Development — Designing, testing, and refining ideas to strengthen impact
• Equity — Supporting historically underserved communities
• Agency — Ensuring community members shape, guide, and benefit from the work
• Solutions — Delivering meaningful, long-lasting change that inspires others

Key Program Goals

• Support community-driven ideas that address real, local challenges
• Encourage creativity, collaboration, and scalable models
• Ensure equitable access across Minnesota and the 11 Native Nations
• Reduce burdensome, time-intensive grant processes
• Build long-term partnerships rooted in learning and shared impact

Who Can Apply for the 2026 Minnesota Community IDEAS Grant

Eligible Applicants

• 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations
• Government entities (schools, cities, counties, tribal governments)
• Fiscally sponsored projects (sponsor must be a 501(c)(3) or government entity)
• Coalitions or collaboratives, with one organization serving as the lead applicant

Note: Organizations that previously received a Minnesota Community IDEAS award are not eligible to reapply.

Geographic Eligibility: Target Communities

Applicants may submit an interest form under only one of the following target communities:

1. Greater Minnesota

For organizations located outside the 7-county Twin Cities Metro Area.

2. Twin Cities Metro Area

For organizations located within the following counties:

• Anoka
• Carver
• Dakota
• Hennepin
• Ramsey
• Scott
• Washington

3. Native-led, Native-serving Organizations

To qualify, the organization must meet both criteria:

• At least 51% of the Board of Directors identify as Native
• At least 51% of Senior Leadership identify as Native

Note: For full details on eligibility, target communities, and application requirements, visit the Minnesota Community IDEAS Program page on the Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation website and review the official Grant Guidelines PDF.

Selection Criteria

Applications are evaluated using the program's I-D-E-A-S framework. Strong proposals reflect the following values:

Innovation

Bold, creative, or unconventional approaches that introduce new ways to tackle community challenges.

Development

A thoughtful plan for designing, testing, and strengthening the idea over time.

Equity

Meaningful support for historically underserved communities including Black, Native, Latino, Asian, immigrant, refugee, LGBTQIA+, rural, low-income groups, veterans, and people with disabilities.

Agency

Community members actively shape and benefit from the work:

• Informs: Community voice guides priorities
• Forms: Community helps design and implement
• Benefits: Results reflect community-defined needs

Solutions

Ideas that address root causes and demonstrate potential for long-term, systemic impact—models that others can learn from or adopt.

2026 Grant Details at a Glance

Note: Before applying, visit the program's official website and review the Grant Guidelines PDF for the most accurate, complete, and up-to-date eligibility and application information.

Application Process

The Foundation uses a two-step process to reduce applicant burden.

Step 1: Submit Interest Form

Applicants provide:

• Eligibility confirmation
• Organization details
• Summary of the idea
• Target community selection

Random Selection: 20 eligible organizations from each target community move forward.

Step 2: Submit Full Application

Organizations selected in Step 1 receive:

• Access to the complete application
• Active staff support
• $750 stipend
• Feedback if not selected

Community-led selection committees review applications.

Why the Program Uses Random Selection

Random selection is intentional—it helps:

• Reduce bias and level the playing field
• Minimize early-stage burdens for applicants
• Expand opportunities for small and emerging organizations
• Ensure equitable statewide participation

Note: Make sure to review the whole Application Process and required formats before applying. Visit the program's official website to read the Grant Guidelines PDF in detail and download all necessary documents.

Past Success Stories: Highlights From the 2025 Minnesota Community IDEAS Grant Program

The inaugural 2025 cycle funded organizations delivering bold, community-rooted innovation across Minnesota.

All Nations Rise — Bagley, MN

Expanding INDIGEBOX, a culturally grounded early learning model that infuses classrooms with Indigenous stories, language, and teachings.

Dakota Wicohan — Morton, MN

Strengthened Sunktanka Wicahyuapi, a horse-culture program supporting youth healing, leadership, and Dakota cultural revitalization.

Bois Forte Band of Chippewa — Nett Lake, MN

Improved Elder mobility, enabling Elders to participate more fully in community and cultural life.

Note: The examples above highlight past success stories from Native-led, Native-serving grantees in the 2025 Minnesota Community IDEAS Program. In total, 15 organizations were awarded grants across the three target communities: Native-led and Native-serving organizations, Greater Minnesota, and the Twin Cities Metro Area, recognizing transformational, community-driven impact.

For the complete list of 2025 grantees, visit the program's official webpage on the Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation website.

Building a Strong Interest Form or Application

Even though the first step is brief, stronger submissions:

• Clearly describe the community-led idea
• Show meaningful community involvement
• Highlight equity and community impact
• Explain root causes and long-term change
• Demonstrate collaboration with local partners

Platforms like GridSocial by SocialRoots.ai can also support documentation, engagement, and long-term project tracking, which is helpful for reflection and storytelling.

How Tools Like GridSocial by SocialRoots.ai Can Help

While formal reporting is not required, tools such as GridSocial can help organizations:

• Document community engagement
• Track development and testing phases
• Monitor equity-driven outcomes
• Capture insights for annual reflections
• Strengthen readiness for future funding

Conclusion: Investing in Minnesota's Community-Driven Future

The 2026 Minnesota Community IDEAS Program offers a powerful opportunity for organizations to design, test, and scale transformative ideas through flexible, equity-centered funding. By centering community voice, reducing barriers, and promoting bold solutions, this grant invests directly in the people and ideas shaping Minnesota's future.

Organizations across the state, large and small, urban and rural, and Native-led, are encouraged to step forward with ideas that reflect the strengths, culture, and aspirations of their communities.