Arts & Culture Grant Program
We seek to strengthen quality of life in the East Metro and Greater Minnesota.
The Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation’s Arts & Culture Grant Program offers multi-year general operating support to organizations, programs and initiatives that contribute to a sustainable, thriving and resilient arts ecosystem.
Strengthening the Arts & Culture Ecosystem
Our Arts & Culture Grant Program will consider proposals that strengthen the arts & culture sector to serve all individuals and all communities across the East Metro region and Greater Minnesota.
The Foundation believes that all peoples, their cultures, and their art contribute to the meaning and understanding of our humanity and should be honored and celebrated.
Priority will be given to arts and culture organizations that seek to amplify narratives that address challenges facing communities experiencing marginalization (e.g. BIPOC communities, people with disabilities, low-income communities, LGBTQIA+ communities, formerly incarcerated communities and more) through the arts. Additional focus will be on organizations that play integral roles in the health, wellness and vitality of their communities.
Grant Guidelines
Eligibility
Grants can be made to 501(c)3 and 501(c)4 nonprofits, government entities, educational institutions or organizations with a fiscal sponsor.
Organizations should have a demonstrated impact or potential for impact in the geography served.
Geography
Through the Arts & Culture Grant Program, we are proud to serve and fund Saint Paul’s East Metro region (Dakota, Ramsey and Washington counties) and Greater Minnesota. We do not fund organizations primarily serving Anoka, Carver, Hennepin or Scott counties.
Grant Details
The Foundation will consider grant applications for:
- Grants will provide general operating support
- Grant amounts will be up to $100,000 per year for a five-year grant period, for total grant amounts up to $500,000 per grantee
- In 2026, up to $1,000,000 is available for this grant program, and we anticipate awarding approximately 10 grants
Grant Requests Not Accepted
The Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation will not consider grant requests for support of:
- Sectarian religious programs or organizations
- Direct work of individuals
- Organizations that are not classified as a 501(c)3 nonprofit, 501(c)4 nonprofits, government entities, educational institutions or do not have a fiscal sponsor
- Organizations exclusively serving the West Metro (Hennepin, Anoka, Carver or Scott counties)
Application Materials
- Eligibility and Priority Details [PDF]
- Letter of Inquiry Questions Preview [PDF]
Decision-making Timeline
Applications for our Arts & Culture Grant Program begin with a letter of inquiry and initial screening.
January
Letter of Inquiry
May
Invitation to Apply for Select Organizations
Summer
Site Visits
Fall
Decisions
November
Grants Awarded
How to Apply
Step 1: Review Grant Guidelines
Familiarize yourself with the eligibility criteria and funding priorities for this grant program.
Step 2: Talk to the Grants Team
All interested applicants are encouraged to contact a member of our Grants Team before applying to ensure that the grant program fits your needs.
Step 3: Review Application Materials
Review required application materials and instructions on how to apply. Note: Applications for our Arts & Culture Grant Program begin with a letter of inquiry and initial screening.
Step 4: Register and Apply
This grant program requires applicants to register for GranteeView to apply for a grant. Registration is open now. Note: Only select organizations will be invited to submit a full application.
Step 5: Stay Connected
Whether or not your organization is selected for a grant opportunity, we want to stay connected. Our Grants Team is always excited to connect with community partners.