Central Minnesota “Difference Maker” Grants Program in the US

Deadline: 31-Mar-25

The Central Minnesota Community Foundation (CMCF) seeks to make significant grants that will be the “Difference Maker” in bringing about a positive change in homelessness supports and homelessness prevention for Central Minnesota.

Focus Areas

• Focus Area 1: Homelessness Supports
  • Programs and services that provide assistance to individuals or families currently experiencing homelessness.
• Focus Area 2: Homelessness Prevention
  • Initiatives designed to reduce the risk of individuals or families experiencing housing instability by addressing underlying causes or immediate crises.

Funding Information

• Funding Amount Range: $10,000-$30,000

Eligible Activities

• Homelessness Supports
  • Examples of eligible activities:
    • Emergency shelter operations and improvements.
    • Case management services for individuals experiencing homelessness.
    • Transitional housing programs offering temporary stable housing.
• Homelessness Prevention
  • Examples of eligible activities:
    • Rental assistance programs to prevent evictions.
    • Financial literacy or budgeting programs aimed at preventing housing insecurity.
    • Supportive services for individuals transitioning out of institutions (e.g., foster care, corrections).

Eligibility Criteria

• Eligible organizations:
  • 501(c)3 Nonprofit Organizations
  • Schools
  • Government entities
• Geographic Area: Grant must serve the residents of Benton, Stearns and/or Sherburne Counties.

Favorable Considerations

• Support programs or projects that address equity and disparities across the community (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Policy)
• Create innovative solutions to community challenges and capitalize on emerging opportunities
• Make a sustainable, visible, and positive impact in the community
• Build social capital across generations, cultures, and other diverse segments of the community
• Offer the potential to inspire additional investments in the community

Ineligibility Criteria

• They don’t fund:
  • Individuals
  • Organizations for religious purposes (Funding for Faith-Based Organizations Policy)
  • Multi-year requests
  • Political organizations or political campaigns
  • Annual fundraising drives
  • Endowments
  • Debt retirement or deficit financing
  • Projects that have already been completed
  • Scholarships or medical research

For more information, visit CMCF.