Hennepin County Opportunity Grants

The Hennepin County Opportunity Grants provide up to $50,000 for projects aimed at conserving natural resources, improving water quality, and addressing erosion. Although not offered in 2025, the grant supports projects that can leverage multiple funding sources and promote sustainable practices. Eligible applicants include local agencies and nonprofits, with no cost-share required. These grants encourage collaboration for effective resource management and environmental restoration, with a focus on long-term ecological benefits.

NOTE: This grant will not be offered in 2025, but funder anticipates opening again in 2026.
Hennepin County Environment and Energy Department works to protect water, land, and air to conserve our natural resources for future generations. As the Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) for the County, the department has a unique role in working with residents and public agencies to address erosion and nutrient runoff and to protect and restore critical habitats. The Natural Resources Grant program was launched in 2014 to provide financial and technical support for partner-led projects that preserve and protect our natural resources.
Opportunity Grants are ideal for larger projects seeking to leverage multiple funding sources to address significant water quality and natural resources concerns across one or more projects on individual or multiple properties. Grant awards may be up to $50,000.
The grant funds will be used to implement projects that address an identified natural resource management issue and/or undertake assessments that directly lead to the siting of projects that meet common natural resource management goals. Applicants are encouraged to use these funds as a match to leverage other local, state, or federal funds. Unlike Good Steward Grants, Opportunity Grants do not require cost-share between the county and the grantee.
Examples of previous Opportunity Grants can be found on the County’s environmental grants StoryMap. Additional information on the grant program, project and applicant eligibility requirements, and funding availability can be found in the Program Guidelines and Requirements section on the program website.

Eligibility

For a project to be eligible for either of these grants, they must support the planning and installation of one, or preferably more, of the following primary purposes:

• Reduce erosion and sedimentation,
• Improve water quality,
• Protect groundwater quality or reduce groundwater use,

Preserve, restore, or establish critical habitat. These include, but are not limited to, new installations of:Stormwater management projects such as rain gardens, stormwater ponds and benches, stormwater reuse systems, infiltration or filtration basins, permeable pavement, grass swales, or water and sediment control basins,
Habitat restoration projects such as woodland and prairie restorations or riverbank or lake shoreline restorations,
Water quality improvement projects like lake alum treatments.The project must be located in Hennepin CountyEligible entities include:Local, state, or regional government agencies,
Nonprofit organizations,
Landowners: citizens or business owners.
Property renters and other users may apply if project permission is provided by the landowner(s).