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Grants for Nonprofit Arts Organizations: General Operating Grants

Northwest Minnesota Arts Council

Funding Amount

Not stated

Deadline

Deadline not published

Grant Type

Foundation

Can we apply?

Check your organization against each line. Taken from the listing; confirm with the funder's guidelines.

Eligible organizations

  • Non-profit arts organizations that are incorporated in our region are eligible for funding in this category.

Not eligible / not funded

  • Not eligible: If arts are only part of what your organization does, this category is not for you.

Overview

The Northwest Minnesota Arts Council offers General Operating Grants to nonprofit arts organizations in the region. Eligible organizations must have a budget that fully supports arts activities and programming. These grants aim to enhance the cultural landscape of the seven counties in northwestern Minnesota, helping local arts organizations thrive and contribute to their communities. Organizations interested in applying should contact the Arts Council Director to discuss their application timeline.

Background
The Northwest Minnesota Arts Council was designated as the regional arts council for northwestern Minnesota by the Minnesota State Legislature.The Council works with local and area arts organizations and individuals to develop the arts in Region 1. The Arts Council submits a biennial Regional Arts Plan to the Minnesota State Arts Board. The NWMAC then receives a block grant from the Minnesota State Legislature, with the Minnesota State Arts Board serving as fiscal agent. This source of funds is used to provide grants for the 7 counties which comprise the region:

  • KittsonMarshallNorman Pennington Polk Red Lake Roseau
  • General Operating Grants

Arts organizations can apply for general operating grants. Please note: these organizations have a yearly actual budget that 100% goes to arts activities and programming. Think arts centers and theater organizations.

Eligibility

Non-profit arts organizations that are incorporated in our region are eligible for funding in this category.

Ineligibility

If arts are only part of what your organization does, this category is not for you.

What Northwest Minnesota Arts Council actually gave

Source: IRS Form 990, 2025

Grants in 2025
36
Total given
$399K
Median grant
$9,628
Range
$5,110–$41K
  • By dollars: Minnesota 100%. Top recipient cities: Warroad, MN; Fosston, MN; East Grand Forks, MN.
  • 0% of grants with a stated purpose were for general or operating support.
  • 42% of recipients were new grantees, not repeat recipients.

Example grants

  • Aurora Center for the Arts · Fosston, MN

    Arts grant

    $41K

  • Thief River Falls Area Community Theater · Thief River Falls, MN

    Arts grant

    $41K

  • Kittson Central School District · Hallock, MN

    Arts grant

    $22K

  • Warroad Summer Theater · Warroad, MN

    Arts grant

    $17K

  • Summer Arts Stages · East Grand Forks, MN

    Arts grant

    $16K

IRS Form 990, 2025. Amounts as reported by the funder. Full 990 history →

Focus Areas & Funding Uses

Fields of Work

  • Arts
  • Nonprofits

Categories

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