CMCF: Rural Poverty Fund Grants

The CMCF: Rural Poverty Fund Grants, offered by the Central Minnesota Community Foundation and the Initiative Foundation every even year, aim to address rural poverty through various initiatives. Grants support projects that establish emergency services, assess community needs, and develop action plans. Eligible applicants include 501(c)(3) nonprofits, schools, and government entities serving 14 counties in Central Minnesota, focusing on those in poverty while promoting diversity and inclusion.

Brief Description
In even years (2020, 2022, 2024…) the Central Minnesota Community Foundation and the Initiative Foundation are jointly offering the Rural Poverty Fund grants for planning and implementation of projects or programs that address rural poverty. Grant funds may: Establish or supplement existing emergency and transitional activities which directly address specific and immediate needs that rural people have due to poverty or be used to assess community needs and assets, develop action plans, or provide for project implementation in rural areas. Grants must relate to a variety of identified programs or agency needs.
Focus Areas
Establish or supplement existing emergency and transitional activitiesAssess community needs and assetsDevelopment of action plansProvide for project implementation

Eligibility

Eligible organizations: 501(c) 3 nonprofit organizations, schools or government entities.Population Served: Those in povertyGeographic Area: 14 counties that encompass Central Minnesota: Benton, Cass, Chisago, Crow Wing, Isanti, Kanabec, Mille Lacs, Morrison, Pine, Sherburne, Stearns, Todd, Wadena, and Wright and the sovereign Native nations of the Leech Lake and Mille Lacs Bands of Ojibwe that share our geography.

Ineligibility

What We Don't FundIndividualsReligious organizations for religious purposes (Funding for Faith-Based Organizations Policy)Political organizations or political campaigns.Annual fundraising drivesEndowmentsDebt retirement or deficit financingProjects that have already been completed