Joy & Connection Grants are grants from the Initiative Foundation that fund local projects bringing people together and building social connection in Central Minnesota communities. The program offers up to $90,000 total in grants ranging from $1,000 to $7,500 to support activities that foster belonging, promote healing, and inspire community purpose across East Central Minnesota.

A randomized selection process chooses 35 organizations from the pool of eligible applicants. Eligible organizations include nonprofits and community groups operating in East Central Minnesota. Applicants must submit a short interest form through the foundation's portal by the stated deadline.

Joy & Connection Grants — Initiative Foundation Looking to spark joy and build stronger connections in your community? The Initiative Foundation’s Joy & Connection grant round is here to help! With up to $90,000 available in grants ranging from $1,000 to $7,500, this special funding supports local projects that bring people together, foster belonging, promote healing, and inspire community purpose across Central Minnesota.

Submit a short interest form in our portal by 4 p. m. on April 22.

We will use a randomized selection process to choose 35 organizations from the pool of eligible interest forms. These organizations will be invited to complete a full application. Let’s work together to create more moments of joy and connection!

Pictured: Individuals lend their voices through the Resounding Voices Memory Choir, a Youth Chorale of Central Minnesota program and 2025 Joy & Connection grantee. Fill Out a Short Interest Form To honor your time and increase access, we’re using a lottery system to select who will be invited to submit a full application. Watch the video to learn more.

Complete the short interest form via the Initiative Foundation grant portal by 4 p. m. on April 22.

View the grant guidelines to learn more.

Local units of government (municipality, county, township, tribal government, etc.) Nonprofit organization with 501(c)(3) status The organization must have a physical location in and serve the Initiative Foundation’s region: Benton, Cass, Chisago, Crow Wing, Isanti, Kanabec, Mille Lacs, Morrison, Pine, Sherburne, Stearns, Todd, Wadena and Wright counties, and the portions of the Native Nations of the Leech Lake and Mille Lacs Bands of Ojibwe which lay within these counties.

Funding Areas: Funding will be awarded for proposals that address needs aligned with the following priorities: Promote healing and wellbeing Strengthen community purpose Interest form closes: April 22 Organizations informed of interest form status: Late April Full application due: 4 p. m.

on May 27 Grant selection notifications will be made within three week of application deadline Proposed work completed and final report due: June 30, 2027 In fall 2025, the Initiative Foundation awarded $160,000 in Joy & Connection grants to 25 organizations across Central Minnesota. The grants will support community-led projects designed to bring people together and create opportunities for belonging, healing and shared purpose.

“These grants are all about creating opportunities for people to gather, share experiences and strengthen the bonds that make our communities thrive,” said Amy Trombley, Initiative Foundation vice president for community. “It’s inspiring to see so many organizations leading efforts that bring joy and connection to their neighbors.

” Pictured: Lefse-making and other all-ages activities at the Delano Senior Center are building belonging across generations, thanks to support from the Initiative Foundation. Grants Support Efforts to Bring Neighbors Together, Foster Belonging From festivals and art workshops to mentoring, senior programs and youth leadership, these grants support a range of community efforts.

Whether fostering belonging among seniors, creating safe spaces for young people, or celebrating local culture, each project strengthens connection and pride across Central Minnesota: Community Action Respecting Elders (CARE), Foley: $3,300 to support four daylong art classes for seniors to expand arts education while building camaraderie with others.

(Benton County) Cass Lake-Bena Public Schools, Cass Lake: $5,000 to support twice-a-month “Saturday Night Live” programming for families. Activities include pickleball, board games, Ojibwe crafts, including beading and regalia-making, and other opportunities to encourage intergenerational engagement.

(Cass County) CentraCare, Long Prairie: $5,000 for transportation and programming activities to encourage intergenerational and intercultural engagement. (Todd County) Central Minnesota Habitat for Humanity, St. Cloud: $5,000 to engage BIPOC and low-income students in the development of construction skills by working in homes in the Greater St.

Cloud area. (Stearns County) City of Delano: $5,000 to harness the wisdom of the community’s active older adults to teach practical skills classes like changing a tire, using a drill, growing vegetables, and basic plumbing. (Wright County) Delano Area Council for Arts and Culture: $2,000 to create a community mural mosaic project that depicts the city’s history.

The mural will be unveiled during Delano’s 2026 sesquicentennial celebration. (Wright County) East Central Minnesota Pride, Pine City: $5,000 to plan and support a February 2025 “silver social” event to honor elders and pioneers in the LBGT+ communities throughout East Central Minnesota.

(Pine County) Great River Arts, Little Falls: $1,900 to support Music Makers for youth and an adult art club to provide activities for age groups known to struggle with loneliness and social isolation. (Morrison County) Helping Hands Outreach, Holdingford: $5,000 to establish a “Walk with Ease” class to encourage older adults to use the Wobegon Trail as an asset for physical activity and social bonding. (Stearns County) HIKE.

LEARN. BE. INC., St.

Stephen: $3,500 for “Nature Buddies: Bridging Generations Through Nature Connections” to bring young and old together in outdoor spaces to foster connections and create opportunities for shared experiences.

(Stearns County) Horizon Health, Inc., Pierz: $7,500 to launch the National Council on Aging’s Program to Encourage Active, Rewarding Lives (PEARLS) to provide resources and companions to help seniors combat depression and loneliness. (Morrison County) Isanti County Commission on Aging, Cambridge: $5,000 to support programs and activities for seniors, including exercise, healthy snacks, transportation and instruction.

(Isanti County) Kanabec County Community Health, Mora: $5,000 for public programming to connect senior citizens and youth with community resources regarding mental health, inclusive activities, paths for building social networks, and additional activities to reduce isolation. (Kanabec County) Kinship Youth Mentoring of Princeton, Princeton: $7,500 to bring individuals of all ages together to stage a free community theatrical production.

Special effort will be made to incorporate individuals with disabilities. (Sherburne County) Mille Lacs Lake Senior Activities, Onamia: $2,000 to provide a monthly meal, programming and social activities for senior citizens from Onamia, Malmo, Garrison, Isle, Milaca, Foreston and Deerwood. (Mille Lacs County) OneCommunity Alliance, St.

Cloud: $2,000 to support safe spaces, typically around meals, where community members can connect, share and support one another across cultures, generations, and any other differences. (Stearns County) Paws + Claws Rescue & Resort, Hackensack: $4,000 to help Paws + Claws bring puppies, kittens, cats, and dogs to nursing homes and assisted living facilities once a month in a 40-mile radius of their location.

(Cass County) Pequot Lakes School District, Pequot Lakes: $2,000 to connect high school students and senior citizens to foster a range of skills and relationships that will help address loneliness. (Crow Wing County) Pierz Public Schools, Pierz: $3,000 to support Pierz students in a partnership with “Kids Feeding Kids” in the Brainerd Lakes area to package food for the Pierz Food Shelf.

(Morrison County) Pine Center for the Arts, Pine City: $3,500 for monthly community gatherings that will include Lego® art, puzzle magic, clay art, jewelry, painting, soaps, etc. (Pine County) Salem Lutheran Church, Deerwood: $4,000 for a monthly community meal to support senior fellowship opportunities.

(Crow Wing) Soup For The Soul, Inc., Mora: $5,000 for “Dishing Up Meals With a Side of Kindness” to support free and shared meals for adults and teens, low-income and housing-insecure individuals. (Kanabec County) Project Optimist, St. Michael: $5,000 to support guided conversations and food to build social bonds and community connections among St.

Cloud-area college students. (Wright County) Wright County Historical Society, Buffalo: $3,800 to provide free monthly Creative Coffee Chats with themed topics and brief, informal presentations; creative activities such as butter-making; and the opportunity to share personal histories and stories.

(Wright County) Wyoming Area Creative Arts Community, Wyoming: $5,000 to provide transportation from senior living facilities to a local park to offer enjoy free creative arts programming. (Chisago County) Benton Economic Development Partnership, Foley: The grant supports Taste of Benton County, a celebration of local food, entertainment and talent that builds community pride and strengthens social and civic connections.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Minnesota, St. Cloud: The grant supports Mentoring for Belonging, fostering one-to-one mentoring relationships and inclusive activities to build youth confidence, connection, healing and a sense of community belonging.

Cass Lake-Bena Public Schools: Funding supports Saturday Night Live, a bi-monthly program featuring meals, activities and safe spaces at Cass Lake-Bena High School to encourage social connection, belonging and healing for children and families.

Chisago Age Well Coalition, Lindstrom: The grant expands outreach to older adults and caregivers through events, learning sessions and resource guides, promoting social connection, belonging and engagement for seniors and their families.

City of Delano: Funding supports senior-focused music, creative, mindfulness and planning activities at the Senior Center to boost social connections, well-being and belonging in Delano and the surrounding areas. City of Monticello: The grant supports Monticello Heritage Days 2026, a community festival featuring cultural celebrations and intergenerational activities that encourage social connection and shared purpose.

East Central Minnesota Pride, Pine City: The grant supports Silver Social 2026, a series of gatherings for LGBTQ+ seniors across five counties, aimed at reducing isolation while promoting joy, belonging and generational connections. Fahan Organization, St.

Cloud: The grant supports a one-day wellness retreat for Somali girls with a focus on outdoor activities, cultural expression, mental health and sisterhood in a safe and supportive setting. Great River Arts, Little Falls: The grant supports a six-month program with monthly art workshops and a public exhibit, fostering belonging, creativity and social connection while showcasing local talent and community expression.

Hackensack Game Changers: Funding supports a celebratory event marking Highway 371 reconstruction, featuring live music, youth activities, tree planting and a ribbon cutting that strengthens local pride, connection and community spirit.

Kanabec County Community Health, Mora: The grant supports Mora Rocks the Park, a free event series with music and activities that encourage belonging and social connection for residents across Kanabec County.

Lakes Area Presbyterian Church, Baxter: The grant supports Connection & Compassion Are for Everyone, bi-monthly gatherings with meals and acts of kindness that foster belonging, connection and community purpose across Crow Wing and Morrison counties.

Mille Lacs County Agricultural Society, Princeton: The grant supports the creation of a sensory-free tranquility garden at the fairgrounds with accessible paths, seating and native plants to be enjoyed by visitors of all abilities. Morrison County Jail, Little Falls: The grant funds Write On!

Workshops, a creative writing program that builds communication skills, fosters healing and strengthens community belonging among incarcerated individuals. Open Doors for Youth, Elk River: The grant supports First Fridays, a monthly youth program with meals, games and volunteer projects that create safe and supportive spaces for belonging, purpose and community connection.

Paws and Claws Rescue & Resort, Hackensack: The grant supports school-based animal safety education, teaching responsible care while elevating compassion and belonging. Students write adoption profiles that help pets find homes and strengthen community awareness.

Pine Center for the Arts, Pine City: The grant supports free community craft events for children and seniors, aiming to build social connections and enhance well-being through intergenerational creativity.

Presbyterian Clearwater Forest, Deerwood: Funding supports Branching Out Together, offering parent-child playgroups and WILDerness Women outdoor activities that build relationships, promote well-being and nurture belonging across generations.

Smiles for Jake, Brainerd: The grant launches peer-to-peer SMILE Clubs, a student-led initiative in local schools that builds positive school culture and resilience through club meetings, mentorship and speakers to encourage belonging and support emotional well-being. Staples Historical Society: The grant supports the Polar Xpress Children’s Holiday Festival, a free two-day celebration featuring trains, music and crafts.

The event draws 1,500 attendees and is a source of joy and community pride in Staples. The Center, Brainerd: The grant supports Moments That Matter, offering storytelling, music and volunteer activities that promote connection, healing and belonging for older adults, veterans and rural residents.

Tusen Tack, Braham: The grant supports Music for Many at the Braham Event Center, bringing all ages together through live music, food and leadership opportunities to foster belonging and connection.

Wadena County DAC, Sebeka: The grant supports monthly themed activities for adults with developmental disabilities, promoting inclusion, joy and belonging through cultural learning, cooking and shared meals that encourage participation in community life. Whitney Senior Center, St.

Cloud: The grant supports art therapy and storytelling workshops, featuring public showcases and newsletters that build connections and encourage creativity and emotional well-being among seniors. Youth Chorale of Central Minnesota, St.

Cloud: The grant supports Voices Together Memory Choir, which unites people with memory loss, their care partners and youth volunteers through rehearsals and performances that create a sense of belonging and connection.

Other Grant Opportunities The Initiative Foundation makes grants throughout the year for projects and programs that advance our mission to empower people across Central Minnesota to build a thriving economy, vibrant communities and a lasting culture of generosity. We seek to make grants across the 14 counties and two Native nations of Central Minnesota.

Ways You Can Stay Informed Stay in the know on upcoming opportunities and trainings by subscribing to an Initiative Foundation newsletter and twice-a-year editions of IQ Magazine. Contact a member of our team with your questions about grant opportunities. Nonprofit Development Program Officer Grantmaking Administrator Vice President for Community