Grant Resources
Over the years Metro Blooms has benefited from numerous public and private grants. Our knowledge is not comprehensive, but we’re happy to share what we know with others doing community work. In particular we’ve had success with local government grants for clean water and pollinator habitat projects that include community engagement and management.
Support and Partnership
We have learned that relationships often drive funding. Our first step in pursuing any grant is to research the funder and grant, and then to reach out to the grant contact to start a conversation around our idea.
Grant funders and philanthropy in general rely on community guidance to varying degrees. Some funders lack cultural competencies or community connections needed to foster healthy relationships with potential diverse grantees. Because of this, and processes often rooted in systemic racism and extraction, BIPOC-led organizations are not funded equitably. We see these inequities in our work. To overcome these barriers, we partner on grants with environmental and social justice focused organizations, small BIPOC-owned businesses, affordable housing sites/renters, and communities most impacted by environmental injustice. We share the knowledge we have to support our community.
As capacity allows, we can:
- serve as a fiscal agent. Often you need to be an official nonprofit (with 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status) to receive grant funding. If you don’t have that status, we may be able to be your fiscal agent, and receive the funds on your behalf.
- co-apply for grants and work on projects together.
- offer feedback on a grant proposal.
- offer connections and introductions to grant makers.
To connect with us about this, fill out the short form at the bottom of the page.
Some places to look for grant opportunities:
- The MN PROMISE Act, a loan and grant program launched in 2024, helps businesses in communities facing barriers due to systemic racial discrimination, lack of economic diversification, civil unrest, and lack of access to capital.
- Minnesota Council of Nonprofits
- Nonprofits grants newsletter
- Grant Advisor
- Foundation Directory Online Professional (available for free at any Hennepin County Library)
Some of the grants that have funded our work:
- Brooklyn Park Community Engagement and Sustainability Grant Program (environmental)
- Capitol Region Watershed District (environmental)
- Center for Prevention at Blue Cross Blue Shield (community health)
- City of Minneapolis- Great Streets (small business)
- Hennepin County-Natural Resources Grants (environmental)
- Mississippi Watershed Management Organization (environmental)
- Manitou Fund (environmental)
- MN Board of Water and Soil Resources (environmental)
- Mortenson Family Foundation (youth work/environmental)
- Shingle Creek Watershed Management Commission cost-share projects (environmental)
- Youthprise (youth work)
Other grants to check out:
- Black Collective Foundation Minnesota (Black-led change)
- Bush Foundation (equitable futures)
- Butler Foundation (arts, environment, human services)
- Center for Urban and Regional Affairs (artists and community-based)
- Constellation Fund (health, education, housing)
- EJ4Climate Grant Program (environment)
- EPA grants (environment)
- Headwaters Foundation for Justice (BIPOC-led justice and liberation)
- McKnight Foundation (art, climate, neuroscience, community)
- Minneapolis Foundation (civic, social, and economic)
- Minnesota DNR (environment)
- Seward and TC Coop Partners (grocery co-op rounding programs)
Additional grant opportunities may be available through Blue Thumb, our education program and a network of local governments and private partners committed to planting for clean water.
Grant-writing resources help
Fill out this form if you are doing community work and are interested in grant support or partnership.