| How much funding can I request from the Initiative Foundation? |
| We generally make grants up to a maximum of $10,000. Our average grant is $5,000. On very rare occasions, grants are made for over this amount for multi-community projects or special initiatives. Applications for funding over $10,000 are accepted on an invitation-only basis. |
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| Do we have to complete a grant inquiry before submitting a full application? |
| Yes. Preparing and reviewing full applications takes a significant amount of time on everyone’s part. In order to be respectful of this, we ask that all grant seekers complete our inquiry form before submitting a full application. |
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| Does the Initiative Foundation only make grants for activities in central Minnesota? |
Yes. All of our grant-funded investments are made to serve the people in our designated 14-county region. |
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| Does the Initiative Foundation make grants to individuals or for-profit businesses? |
| No. We only make grants to 501(c) 3 nonprofit organizations, local units of government and school districts |
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| Does the Initiative Foundation make grants to “fiscal agents”? |
| No. Organizations applying for grant funds should be ones that intend to play a key role in carrying out and administering the project for which you are applying for funding. We do encourage local community and organizational partnerships and collaborations, but do not make grants to organizations simply acting as funding pass-through agents. |
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| What are your application deadlines? |
Inquiries for Innovation Fund grants are accepted on an ongoing basis but reviewed quarterly. If the proposed project appears to fit within priority funding areas and meets funding criteria, you will be invited to submit a full proposal.
If your organization is invited to submit a full application, the appropriate materials will be forwarded to you. Proposals are accepted on a quarterly basis. See timelines below for specific deadlines:
Inquiries Due By:
| Notified for Invite /
Decline of Full Proposal:
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Full Proposals Due: |
Final Decision
Made By: |
Jan 31
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Feb 7
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Mar 2
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Mar 30 |
Apr 27
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May 4
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Jun 1
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Jun 29
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July 30
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Aug 7
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Aug 31
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Sept 28
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| Oct 26 |
Nov 2
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Nov 30
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Dec 31
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| Is there a cash match requirement? |
| Although we do not have a specific designated match requirement, we typically do not fund more than 50 percent of any one given project, program or planning effort. We highly encourage that you secure local support for your proposed project before applying to the foundation. |
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Does the Initiative Foundation make grants to purchase equipment or buildings? |
| No. We do not provide grants for the purchase of any capital expenses such as equipment, vehicles, facility purchase or renovation. |
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