SMIF Paint the Town Grants

The SMIF Paint the Town Grants aim to foster community pride and collaboration by funding mural, welcome sign, or historic structure painting projects in communities with populations under 10,000. Administered by the Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation in partnership with local Ace Hardware stores, these grants encourage volunteer participation and visual impact. Eligible projects must demonstrate public use and community engagement, ensuring that at least half of the painting work is conducted by volunteers.

The Paint the Town Grant Program is designed to engage volunteers, create a sense of community pride and build collaborative efforts that beautify communities through “Painting the Town” with a new community mural, community welcome sign or painting an historic structure. Paint the Town grants are administered by SMIF in collaboration with various Ace Hardware stores located in our region. Communities with populations under 10,000 are eligible to apply.

Eligibility

Communities with a population under 10,000 in SMIF’s 20-county region are eligible to apply.Blue EarthFillmoreLe SueurOlmstedWabasha
DodgeGoodhueMowerSibleyWatonwan
FaribaultHoustonNicolletSteeleWinonaAll projects must exhibit visual impact, current/intended public use of the structure, and volunteer participation.Privately-owned buildings must have a government organization or IRS designated 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization as a fiscal agent to receive the paint.Historic structures must be owned and operated by a government organization or IRS designated 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.At least 50% of the painting must be done by community volunteers.Sentencing to Service Program (STS) participants are not considered volunteers.Muralists/artists who assist in the design and application may participate in the project but are not considered volunteers if they are being paid for their work.Paint requests up to 100 gallons will be considered. SMIF reserves the right to limit paint product amounts and total cost of paint awarded.SMIF only covers the cost of awarded paint; grantee is responsible for the cost of supplies, equipment and any additional paint.Only community mural, community welcome sign, or historic structure projects will be considered.

Ineligibility

Ineligible organizations or activities include:Organizations that do not meet the above criteriaPrivately-owned facilities that require membership/fee for access