MCN Voter Engagement Grants

MCN offers grants to support nonprofit organizations conducting voter engagement work in Minnesota, including voter registration, combating misinformation, and encouraging voting participation.

Geographic Scope: Minnesota

Focus Areas:

• Voter registration and education
• Encouraging voting participation
• Educating voters on newly redrawn districts
• Correcting misinformation following elections
• Coalition building for democracy work

Eligibility:

• 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations
• Organizations with demonstrated capacity for community advocacy (especially for Category 2)
• Prioritized populations and geographies considered in selection

Grant Categories:

• Category 1: $5,000
• Category 2: $10,000 - $25,000 (requires history of successful community organizing)

Funding Sources: McKnight Foundation and anonymous funder

History: In 2022, MCN received $197,000 from funders, then secured an additional $143,000 for a total of $340,000 to distribute. The program received 90 applications requesting $1,225,816 total, funding 27% of applications (27 grantees).

Selection Process: Applications reviewed by committee of six individuals including nonprofit partners, MCN board members, and staff with diverse backgrounds. Selection based on grant framework including prioritized populations, geography, voter engagement strategy, and budget plan.

Application Process

Selection Criteria:

• Grant framework alignment
• Prioritized populations and geographic representation
• Quality of voter engagement strategy
• Budget plan quality
• For Category 2 applicants: history of successful community organizing

Review Committee: Applications reviewed by six-person committee including nonprofit partners, MCN board members, and staff with diverse racial and geographic backgrounds.

Competitive Process: Limited funding means competitive selection with difficult decisions required. Committee conducts thoughtful discussions on applications and makes final selections.

Note: Application materials not fully detailed in source documents. Contact MCN directly for specific application requirements and timeline.