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Growth Fund is sponsored by Springboard for the Arts. The Growth Fund supports Minnesota artists and creative business owners with $2,000 to help sustain or scale their business. This funding is ideal for creative businesses to establish legal protections, marketing or branding collateral, build inventory, or attend trade shows or fairs to build their business network.
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Growth Fund - Springboard For The Arts Artists and creative businesses make thriving economies possible. The Growth Fund supports Minnesota artists and creative business owners with $2,500 to help sustain or scale their business. Artists and creative businesses are vital contributors to healthy local economies, and need specialized resources and financial support just like any other business.
Yet, their work can often fall outside of business development programs or not meet the kind of capital needs for a bank or CDFI investment. Investing in vibrant, just, and equitable communities To address this funding gap, Springboard for the Arts offers the Growth Fund as a way to invest in vibrant, just, and equitable communities and local economies.
The Growth Fund has two annual funding cycles, one in spring and one in fall, and funds are allocated by a randomized selection to eligible applicants. Interested applicants are required to complete an Artist Career Consultation prior to their application, and have a business need or growth opportunity that can be met with a one-time, $2,500 grant. Since its launch in 2022, the Growth Fund has supported over 56 businesses with $140,000.
This scale of funding is ideal for creative businesses to establish legal protections, marketing or branding collateral, build inventory, or attend trade shows or fairs to build their business network. Since its launch in 2022, the Growth Fund has supported over 56 businesses with $140,000.
Frequently Asked Questions Own and operate a creative business in Minnesota for at least 12 months at the time of submission Have a business growth opportunity that can be met with a one-time $2,500 grant Have at least one Artist Career Consultation during the current cycle period. See Spring and Fall Cycle dates under the timeline below. Submit a Growth Fund application, following an Artist Career Consultation.
The form will be emailed to you after your consultation Artists based outside of Minnesota Operate a creative business based outside of Minnesota 501c3 nonprofit organizations Current Springboard Rural Regenerator Fellows or previous Growth Fund recipients Springboard for the Arts employees, board members, or immediate family members of employees/board members *All independent contractors of Springboard are eligible to apply.
Examples of potential use of funds may include: Legal & Intellectual Property Purchase business name/logo, licensing, trademarks, patents Purchase materials, stock inventory Purchase/rent equipment, interior and exterior space improvements Purchase technology or software Hire staff, pay contractors Participation Costs & Professional Development Participation fees for trade shows, fairs, markets, exhibition fees, tours, conference/professional development, etc. Growth Fund (MN) Form Questions These are the questions you can anticipate answering on the Growth Fund Form.
An email including a link to the form will be sent to you within 30 days of completing the consultation. Do you meet all the eligibility criteria? How long have you been in business?
Or how long have you been a practicing artist? Is your business registered with the Office of Minnesota Secretary of State? This is not an eligibility requirement.
How much revenue/sales have you generated in the past 12 months as a creative business or artist? This is your total revenue, regardless of whether you made a profit or experienced a loss. This may include product sales, teaching, consulting, public speaking, etc. Which of these areas does your business need support in to sustain, strength, or grow?
Business Planning & Strategy, Marketing & Advertising, Legal, Operations, Inventory & Materials, Technology, Staffing or Contractor Support, Professional Development, Other. What is the specific need or growth opportunity in your business that could be addressed with a one-time $2,500 grant? Please include a breakdown of how you would allocate the funds to support this need.
(Optional) Tell us more about your creative business or work as an artist. November 1st, 2025: Drawing process begins April 30th, 2026: Drawing process closes ( To qualify for the Growth Fund drawing cycle ending on April 30, 2026, a request for a consultation must be submitted by April 23, 2026 ).
May 31st, 2026: Recipients are notified May 1, 2026: Drawing process begins October 31st, 2026: Drawing process closes November 30th, 2026: Recipients are notified Growth Fund recipients are selected through a randomized selection process, and 20 artists receive growth funds in each cycle.
What’s next for Springboard and the Creative Change Coalition By Springboard for the Arts Common Dreams: As the Twin Cities Accept a Profile in Courage Award, Remember the Artists How Minnesota is Caring for Artists in Times of Need Artist Career Consultations Economic Opportunity Director wone@springboardforthearts. org Stay updated with our newsletter
According to the current listing, eligibility includes: Own and operate a creative business in Minnesota for at least 12 months, have a business growth opportunity that can be met with a one-time $2,000 grant, and have at least one Artist Career Consultation during the current cycle period. Ineligible: 501c3 nonprofit organizations. Confirm the full requirements in the official notice before applying.
The current listing shows $2,000. Verify award ceilings, matching requirements, and allowable costs in the official notice.
Growth Fund is funded by Springboard for the Arts. Verify program details on the funder's official page before applying.
This opportunity targets applicants in Minnesota. If your organization operates elsewhere, check the official notice for location requirements.
Start from the official opportunity page linked in this listing — it carries the sponsor's submission instructions.
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