The Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation (SMIF) is dedicated to fostering economic growth, community development, and innovation in a 20-county region of southern Minnesota, including 175 communities and the Prairie Island Indian Community. SMIF supports early childhood education, economic development, and initiatives that enhance community vitality. One of its key programs, the Paint the Town Grant Program, is designed to encourage community collaboration by providing free paint for local beautification projects.

The Paint the Town Grant Program aims to promote inclusion, volunteer engagement, creativity, and local pride while enhancing the visual appeal of public spaces. The program provides up to 100 gallons of paint per project, sourced from local hardware stores, to assist eligible communities in painting murals, welcome signs, historic structures, and public art installations. The value of the paint is estimated at approximately $45 per gallon, with a maximum price cap of $65 per gallon.

Eligibility for the grant is limited to IRS-designated 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations, local, state, or federal government agencies, and public schools or higher education institutions. Applicants must be located within SMIF’s designated 20-county service area. Additionally, projects must be located in communities with populations under 10,000 and must demonstrate public visual impact, intended public use, and volunteer involvement. Privately owned buildings are eligible only if a government entity or nonprofit organization serves as a fiscal agent. Historic structures must be owned and operated by a government agency or nonprofit entity.

Certain projects and organizations are ineligible for the grant, including those that do not meet the specified eligibility criteria, privately owned facilities requiring membership or fees for access, and private residential buildings. The grant covers only the cost of paint, and recipients must cover additional expenses, including supplies, equipment, and any extra paint beyond the awarded amount.

Grant awards are determined by the SMIF Paint the Town Grant Committee on a competitive basis. Selected applicants must coordinate with a local hardware or paint store to arrange for product orders, with the store invoicing SMIF directly. Recipients must complete their projects and submit a final report, including photos, by October 1, 2025.

Applications must be submitted online through SMIF’s grant application system by March 31, 2025. Award notifications will be sent by April 28, 2025. For further inquiries, applicants may contact Sarah Scheffert, Communications & Community Vitality Specialist, at sarahs@smifoundation.org or 507-214-7015.