Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation seeking applications for Small Town Grants

Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation (SMIF) is currently accepting applications for its Small Town Grant program. Towns, or Native nations, with populations of 10,000 or less in SMIF’s 20-county region are eligible. Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations, public institutions and units or agencies of local, state, federal and tribal government are encouraged to apply. Requests of up to $10,000 for eligible projects will be considered.

The Small Town Grant Program seeks to invest in collaborative initiatives which improve the way your community works together, solves challenges, creates a welcoming community and sense of belonging for all. SMIF seeks proposals which focus on collaboration throughout the project and will impact the culture, education, economy and/or social aspects of your community. This is a competitive grant round, and projects that prioritize making the community more welcoming and/or foster a sense of belonging for all will be prioritized above other projects.

Since 2017, SMIF has awarded 161 Small Town Grants, investing more than $1 million in the region. Examples of past grant projects include: the establishment of a new organization to unite various cultures in town, a new event to draw tourism and create a welcoming atmosphere, a community volunteer day to build new amenities, a program that makes bicycling accessible to people with disabilities, a welcome basket program for new residents, translation services for non-English speaking residents and more. Applications that consider groups within the community that often get overlooked are encouraged.

The Small Town Grant program is supported, in part, by a generous donation in memory of Paul Johnson who wanted southern Minnesota’s smallest communities to thrive. We are grateful to Paul Johnson’s family for continuing his legacy.

“It takes committed individuals, wearing many different hats, working together toward a shared goal for small towns to thrive,” said Benya Kraus, SMIF president and CEO. “As always, we are immensely grateful to Paul Johnson’s family for giving residents of small towns the means to show up for their neighbors and create a strong, vibrant community.”

Applications are due to SMIF by August 19, 2026. Awardees will be notified by October 8, 2026. For the application and guidelines, visit www.smifoundation.org/smalltowngrant. For questions, contact Sarah Scheffert, communications and community vitality specialist, at 507-214-7015 or sarahs@smifoundation.org.