Festivals Grant

The Festivals Grant, offered by the Minnesota Humanities Center, aims to support cultural festivals and events across Minnesota. With funding of $1.5 million available for each of the fiscal years 2026 and 2027, eligible organizations can apply for grants to enhance community engagement through arts programming, staffing, and logistics. Applicants may seek up to $200,000 per year, fostering cultural connections and celebrating local traditions.

Note: All applicants are strongly encouraged to contact MHC in advance of submitting a full proposal.
Our grantmaking allows us to strengthen the bonds between us, celebrate our past and traditions, appeal to the best within ourselves, and educate the next generation of leaders.
Grant Goals
For organizations and local government in Minnesota to support cultural festivals and events throughout the state.
Grant funds awarded may support arts and cultural programming, staffing, community outreach, transportation, facilities and equipment rentals, signage, and public safety expense reimbursements.
Funding for this program was appropriated in two appropriations over the biennium. $1,500,000 is available for Fiscal Year 2026 and $1,500,000 is available for Fiscal Year 2027. MHC will administer these funds in one grant round, as outlined in this RFP, for the following grant periods:

• Grant Period 1: January 1, 2026 to October 31, 2026
• Grant Period 2: November 1, 2026 to October 31, 2027
• Grant Periods 1 and 2: January 1, 2026 to October 31, 2027

Applicants can apply for grant funding for either one or both grant periods. If an applicant is awarded a grant for both grant periods, the applicant will not receive grant funds for the second grant period until the first grant period has been closed.
You may request any amount of funding up to $200,000 each year for each grant period.