How much funding does Thomas Ritsche Youth Grants provide?

Thomas Ritsche Youth Grants provides US $5,000 - US $10,000 in funding.

When is the deadline for Thomas Ritsche Youth Grants?

The listed deadline is May 31, 2027; confirm it with the funder before applying.

Who is eligible for Thomas Ritsche Youth Grants?

Required: 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status.

Thomas Ritsche Youth Grants

Communitygiving

Foundation Grants for Nonprofits Grants for Youth Programs Crime Prevention Grants

Funding Amount

US $5,000 - US $10,000

Deadline

May 31, 2027

Listed date — confirm with the funder

Grant Type

Foundation

Can we apply?

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

Eligible organizations

Schools

Required status

501(c)(3) tax-exempt status

Other requirements

Government entities.
What We Fund:Program or project support
Operational support.
Geographic Area: Grant must serve the residents of Stearns, Benton and/or Sherburne Counties.

Not eligible / not funded

Not eligible: What We Don't Fund:Individuals
Not eligible: Religious organizations for religious purposes (Funding for Faith-Based Organizations Policy)
Not eligible: Multi-year requests
Not eligible: Political organizations or political campaigns
Not eligible: Annual fundraising drives
Not eligible: Endowments
Not eligible: Debt retirement or deficit financing
Not eligible: Projects that have already been completed
Not eligible: Scholarships or medical research
Not eligible: Grants for travel or conferences
Not eligible: Government funding that has been reduced or eliminated

Overview

The Thomas Ritsche Youth Grants, administered by the Central Minnesota Community Foundation, aims to support youth-related programs that promote safety and reduce crime among youth. Eligible applicants include 501(c)3 nonprofits, schools, and government entities within Stearns, Benton, and Sherburne Counties. The grants prioritize initiatives that foster community engagement and sustainable positive impacts on youth, while not funding individual projects, religious organizations, or political campaigns.

Ritsche for Youth Fund, seeks to support youth-related programs and projects that support youth and reduce crime against youth and by youth.

Eligibility

Government entitiesWhat We Fund:Program or project support
Operational supportGeographic Area: Grant must serve the residents of Stearns, Benton and/or Sherburne Counties.

Ineligibility

What We Don't Fund:Individuals
Religious organizations for religious purposes (Funding for Faith-Based Organizations Policy)

What Communitygiving actually gave

Source: IRS Form 990, 2025

Grants in 2025: 426
Total given: $16.7M
Median grant: $16K
Range: $5,100–$680K

By dollars: Minnesota 87%, Texas 2%, Iowa 2%. Top recipient cities: Saint Cloud, MN; Willmar, MN; Alexandria, MN.
0% of grants with a stated purpose were for general or operating support.
25% of recipients were new grantees, not repeat recipients.

Example grants

College of Saint Benedict · Saint Joseph, MN

Scholarship funds

$680K
Great River Children's Museum · Saint Cloud, MN

Gen/oper support

$529K
Centracare Health Foundation · Saint Cloud, MN

Gen/oper support

$474K
Catholic Charities of the Diocese of St Cloud · Saint Cloud, MN

Gen/oper support

$379K
United Way of Central Minnesota · Saint Cloud, MN

Gen/oper support

$372K