The Central Minnesota Community Foundation offers the Central Minnesota Arts Grants annually to support small and medium-sized arts organizations and arts-related activities conducted by other organizations. The primary goal of this grant is to enhance access to the arts for residents in Central Minnesota. The funding prioritizes visual and performing arts initiatives that promote community engagement, art appreciation, and arts education.

Eligible applicants include 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations, schools, and government entities. To qualify, projects must directly serve the residents of Benton, Stearns, Sherburne, and Wright counties. Funding may be used for program development and implementation or for general support of qualifying arts organizations and activities. Grant awards range from $5,000 to $7,500.

The grant places a strong emphasis on projects that demonstrate artistic quality and merit, community demand, and collaborative efforts with other organizations. Favorable consideration is given to initiatives that make a visible positive impact on the community, have the potential to attract additional investments, and support diversity, equity, and inclusion in the arts.

Certain activities and organizations are ineligible for funding, including individual applicants, religious organizations for religious purposes, political campaigns, annual fundraising drives, endowments, deficit financing, completed projects, scholarships, medical research, travel, or conference expenses, and government funding that has been reduced or eliminated.

The application process requires applicants to submit their proposals online through the CommunityGiving Grant Management System. Applications are reviewed by the Grant Advisory Committee, which makes recommendations to the Board of Directors for final funding decisions. All notifications regarding the grant will be sent via email. Successful applicants must electronically sign a Grant Agreement before receiving funds. Grantees are required to submit a Final Report, and a Progress Report may be requested.

Applications for the 2025 grant cycle open on February 1, 2025, and must be submitted by March 31, 2025, at 11:59 PM. Funding decisions will be made within 90 days after the deadline. For questions regarding the grant or the online grant management system, applicants can call (320) 257-9715. The Central Minnesota Community Foundation is located at 101 7th Avenue S., #100, St. Cloud, MN 56301, and can be reached at (320) 253-4380.