1,000+ Opportunities
Find the right grant
Search federal, foundation, and corporate grants with AI — or browse by agency, topic, and state.
This listing may be outdated. Verify details at the official source before applying.
Find similar grantsPROMISE Act Grants is sponsored by Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation. Provides grants to small businesses in south central and southeastern Minnesota for operational investments or planned growth.
Get alerted about grants like this
Save a search for “Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation” or related topics and get emailed when new opportunities appear.
Search similar grants →Extracted from the official opportunity page/RFP to help you evaluate fit faster.
Promise Act Grant Program / Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development Safeguarding tax dollars is our priority: Report suspicious activity . Promise Act Grant Program Interested applicants should apply directly through our partner organizations listed below. Application periods vary depending on the partner organization.
Please see their website for up-to-date application information. The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) will oversee the Providing Resources & Opportunity & Maximizing Investments in Striving Entrepreneurs (PROMISE) Act approved by the Minnesota State Legislature and signed into law by Gov. Tim Walz.
This program, through a series of statewide partner organizations, will award grants to eligible businesses in communities that have been adversely affected by structural racial discrimination, civil unrest, lack of access to capital, loss of population or an aging population, or lack of regional economic diversification. A total of $94. 3 million will be awarded as grants in multiple rounds.
Grant funds can be used for working capital to support payroll expenses, rent or mortgage payments, utility bills, equipment, and other similar expenses that occur in the regular course of business. Technical assistance will be available to assist with submitting an application. Eligible businesses will: Have primary business operations located in the State of Minnesota Be located in an eligible service area.
See more info under the Service Area tab.
Be registered with the Minnesota Secretary of State, if required by Minnesota State Law Sole proprietors operating their business under their own name do not need to be registered with the Secretary of State Have gross annual revenue of $750,000 or less based on the prior taxable year Maintain ongoing operations as of the date of application If the business location is the taxpayer's residence, the business must have claimed and been allowed the deduction for home office expenses in the prior taxable year.
Businesses will be awarded grant funds based on gross annual revenue in the prior taxable year.
Businesses with gross annual revenue in the prior year of $100,000 or less can receive up to $10,000 Businesses with gross annual revenue in the prior year of more than $100,000 but no more than $350,000 can receive up to $25,000 Businesses with gross annual revenue in the prior year of more than $350,000 but no more than $750,000 can receive up to $50,000 For the purposes of this grant program, business means both for-profit businesses and nonprofit organizations that earn revenue in ways similar to businesses.
To be eligible, non-profits must meet at least one of the two definitions of an eligible non-profit: Definition A: A nonprofit organization that earns 30% or more of their revenue on an ongoing basis through a non-tax-deductible sales or dues in a fee-for-service model similar to for-profit businesses.
Definition B: A nonprofit organization that earns 10% or more of their revenue on an ongoing basis through a non-tax-deductible sales or dues in a fee-for-service model similar to for-profit businesses AND demonstrate they maintain ongoing customer-facing operations at a permanent physical location at which some of those sales take place. Neighborhood Development Center Areas of North Minneapolis, South Minneapolis, St.
Paul, and communities throughout the 7-county metro area. Specific geographic boundaries can be found on the MN Promise Act website . Service area covers the 7-county region of Aitkin, Carlton, Cook, Itasca, Koochiching, Lake, and St.
Louis, and all or parts of the five Native Nations of Bois Forte Band of Chippewa, Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, Grand Portage Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe (District I), and Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe (District II).
Northwest Minnesota Foundation Service area covers 12 Counties: Beltrami, Hubbard, Norman, Polk, Marshall, Kittson, Clearwater, Lake of the Woods, Roseau, Pennington, Red Lake and Mahnomen Counties Service area covers Central Minnesota, and includes businesses with physical locations in Benton, Cass, Chisago, Crow Wing, Isanti, Kanabec, Mille Lacs, Morrison, Pine, Sherburne, Stearns, Todd, Wadena and Wright counties and the sovereign Native nations of the Leech Lake and Mille Lacs Bands of Ojibwe.
Visit the Initiative Foundation website and click on "Grants" at the top of the page. For questions, reach out to relief_funds@ifound. org .
West Central Initiative Foundation Service area covers Becker, Clay, Douglas, Grant, Otter Tail, Pope, Stevens, Traverse, and Wilkin County.
Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation Service area covers the 20-county region of Blue Earth, Brown, Dodge, Faribault, Fillmore, Freeborn, Houston, Goodhue, Martin, Le Sueur, Nicollet, Mower, Rice, Olmsted, Steele, Sibley, Waseca, Wabasha, Winona and Watonwan counties, as well as one Native nation (Prairie Island Indian Community). Melissa Langer, melissal@smifoundation. org Brian Conzemius, brianc@smifoundation.
org Southwest Minnesota Initiative Foundation Service area covers Big Stone, Chippewa, Cottonwood, Jackson, Kandiyohi, Lac qui Parle, Lincoln, Lyon, McLeod, Meeker, Murray, Nobles, Pipestone, Redwood, Renville, Rock, Swift, and Yellow Medicine counties; Upper Sioux Community, Lower Sioux Indian Community. programs@swifoundation. org View the grant recipient list .
Please review the list of Frequently Asked Questions section before contacting us. Please note that, due to a high volume of inquiries, we may not be able to respond to individual questions promptly. We will read all questions and will post answers on the FAQ as soon as possible.
Check the FAQ regularly for updates. If you still have a question, email PromiseGrants. DEED@state.
mn. us. Q: When will the application open?
A: Application periods will vary depending on the partner organization. All of the partners have closed their initial application round but will have their second round opening in the coming months. Q: How will eligible businesses apply?
A: Each partner organization will host an online portal to submit an application. Q: I don't have 2021 taxes, am I still eligible? A: Yes, you may still be eligible even if you don’t have 2021 taxes.
Please review the rest of the eligibility criteria to confirm. Q: I started my business in 2022. Am I eligible?
A: Yes. A business established in 2022 or later is may still be eligible. Please review the rest of the eligibility criteria to confirm.
Q: Can a business owner with multiple LLC's apply for more than one grant? A: Only one grant per business or individual. Ownership stake needs to be below 20% to qualify if that owner has received a grant from another business.
Q: How is the revenue limit verified? A: Meeting the requirements the sub-$750k threshold is based on a review of your prior taxable year return. Q: Can I reapply in the next round if I don't get selected in the first application window?
A: Yes, applicants who are not selected for a grant can apply in future rounds. Q: Why is gross revenue used for this program instead of net income? A: Gross revenue is mandated by the State legislation.
Q: Which tax year will be used to decide the amount of the grant? A: The legislation requires that the "prior year" be used to determine grant amount. The prior year is defined as the most recent completed tax year at the time of application.
For example: If your business is required to submit tax returns by October 15, 2025 and you apply for a promise grant in January 2025 the prior year will be 2023. Q: Which tax year will be used to decide the amount of the grant? A: The legislation requires that the "prior year" be used to determine grant amount.
We are considering 2022 taxes to be the prior year for the first application window. Q: Can someone help me submit an application for this grant? A: Yes!
Our partner organizations are all providing help with submitting an application free of charge. Other individuals, such as your accountant, can help you fill out an application but you as the business owner must submit it. Q: What types of businesses are eligible?
A: Almost all business types that meet the program requirements are eligible. Q: What if my business is located very close to the geographic boundary but not technically within it? A: Unfortunately, your business does not qualify.
We may adjust neighborhoods in the future application window. Q: Are new businesses eligible? A: Yes, businesses must have at least one year of completed tax returns to apply.
Q: How long does a business need to be located in an eligible neighborhood to qualify? A: A business must be located in the neighborhood currently and throughout the application process. No other specific length is required.
Q: Do nonprofits qualify for this grant? A: Yes, if they operate like a business. To be eligible, non-profits must meet at least one of the two definitions of an eligible non-profit: Definition A: A nonprofit organization that earns 30% or more of their revenue on an ongoing basis through a non-tax-deductible sales or dues in a fee-for-service model similar to for-profit businesses.
Definition B: A nonprofit organization that earns 10% or more of their revenue on an ongoing basis through a non-tax-deductible sales or dues in a fee-for-service model similar to for-profit businesses AND demonstrate they maintain ongoing customer-facing operations at a permanent physical location at which some of those sales take place. Q: Are Uber/Lyft drivers eligible? Independent contractors?
Food trucks? A: Independent contractors such as Uber/Lyft drivers would be considered sole proprietors and be eligible for the grant. Location will be based on their physical business location used for tax purposes.
If the business location is the taxpayer's residence the applicant must have claimed and been allowed the deduction for the home office expense tax deduction under section 280A(c)(1) of the Internal Revenue Code, in the prior taxable year. Q: Are HOA's (Homeowners Associations) eligible for this grant? A.
No. HOA's are not eligible since they do not operate like a business. Q: Can I purchase a property with this grant? Or use it for a down payment?
A: No, this grant is only for working capital and equipment as outlined in the legislation. Q: Can I use the grant funds to pay someone who helped me apply for this grant opportunity? A: No, fundraising does not qualify as an eligible use.
If you receive a grant from this program, it can only be used for working capital to support payroll expenses, rent or mortgage payments, utility bills, equipment, and other similar expenses that occur in the regular course of business. Please note that our partner organizations can provide help submitting an application free of charge.
Please reach out to our partners under the "Partner" tab if you need assistance completing your application. Required Documents to Submit Q: Can we submit older tax returns to help show financial hardship over time? A: No, you are limited to a two-year window to show financial hardship.
We will not accept older tax returns (pre-2021) to show financial hardship. Q: What documents should non-profits submit to show revenue/income? A: Tax returns or Form 990.
Q: What year should be submitted for the “prior taxable year”? A: This should be the most recently completed tax year which depends on when you apply. It may be either your 2023 or 2024 tax return.
Check with the appropriate partner organization to determine this based on their application window. Q: Is this grant taxable? A: Yes, this grant is classified as taxable income (misc.
income, form 1099) Q: I received PPP funds but not state funds, will this play a factor in this program? A: No, whether or not you received PPP funds will not be considered in this program. Only participation in one of the four state programs listed in the legislation will be considered.
Q: Is my business eligible if I have been convicted of a criminal offense related to a state grant agreement? A: No, you are not eligible for a grant if you have ever been convicted of a criminal offense relating to a state grant agreement. Q: Can the grant funds be used for loan payments?
A: Yes, as long as the loan payments go towards an asset owned and utilized by the business receiving the grant. Q: Can I use an international bank account to receive my grant funds? A: In order to ensure compliance with United States federal banking and tax laws, international bank accounts are not eligible to receive Promise Act Grant funds.
To receive funds from this program, the bank account must be with a bank based in the United States.
Based on current listing details, eligibility includes: Small businesses in south central and southeastern Minnesota. Applicants should confirm final requirements in the official notice before submission.
Current published award information indicates $10,000 to $50,000 Always verify allowable costs, matching requirements, and funding caps directly in the sponsor documentation.
The current target date is rolling deadlines or periodic funding windows. Build your timeline backwards from this date to cover registrations, approvals, attachments, and final submission checks.
Federal grant success rates typically range from 10-30%, varying by agency and program. Build a strong proposal with clear objectives, measurable outcomes, and a well-justified budget to improve your chances.
Requirements vary by sponsor, but typically include a project narrative, budget justification, organizational capability statement, and key personnel CVs. Check the official notice for the complete list of required attachments.
Yes — AI tools like Granted can help research funders, draft proposal sections, and check compliance. However, always review and customize AI-generated content to reflect your organization's unique strengths and the specific requirements of the solicitation.
Review timelines vary by funder. Federal agencies typically take 3-6 months from submission to award notification. Foundation grants may be faster, often 1-3 months. Check the program's timeline in the official solicitation for specific dates.
Many federal programs offer multi-year funding or allow competitive renewals. Check the official solicitation for continuation and renewal policies. Non-competing continuation applications are common for multi-year awards.
Early Literacy Grant is a grant from the Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation (SMIF) that provides books to organizations serving children from birth to age eight in southern Minnesota. The program partners with Mankato-based publishers Capstone and ABDO to supply free books that families can keep, supporting school readiness and early reading skills. Organizations—including schools, libraries, and nonprofits—working directly with young children in SMIF's 20-county region are eligible to apply. There is no stated cash award; recipients receive book distributions. The 2026 application window runs February 17 through March 17, with award decisions by May 1 and book pickup scheduled in Owatonna in late June 2026.
Early Care and Education Grant program is a grant from the Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation (SMIF) that funds early care and education services for children from birth to age five in SMIF's 20-county region of southern Minnesota. Grant funds may support social, emotional, physical, and mental health services; training and professional development for early childhood educators; and other activities necessary to sustain early care and education programming. The fall 2026 cycle opens October 8, 2025 with a November 5, 2025 deadline. SMIF recently awarded $279,800 to 22 projects. Eligible applicants are organizations working directly with children from birth to age five in the region.
The purpose of this FOA is to provide funding for up to four (4) Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUs) that will provide entrepreneurial development services to Native American communities, focusing on supplying services to socially and economically disadvantaged entrepreneurs in locations that are outside of the geographical areas of existing SBA resources. Eligible applicants must be Tribal Colleges and Universities as defined in the Higher Education Act HEA 316 (U.S.C. 1059c). Funding Opportunity Number: SB-GC7J-23-002. Assistance Listing: 59.007. Funding Instrument: G. Category: BC,ED. Award Amount: Up to $250K per award.
The purpose of this FOA is to provide funding for up to two (2) private, non-profit organizations that will provide entrepreneurial development services to women, with an emphasis on socially and economically disadvantaged entrepreneurs in locations that are outside of the geographical areas of existing WBCs for the District of Columbia (DC) and the State of Oregon. There will be one award for each location. Eligible applicants must be private, non-profit organizations with 501(c) tax exempt status from the U.S. Treasury’s Internal Revenue Service and must provide services to the District of Columbia (DC) and State of Oregon. Funding Opportunity Number: SB-OEDWB-23-002. Assistance Listing: 59.043. Funding Instrument: G. Category: BC,CD,RD. Award Amount: $75K – $150K per award.
Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer Programs Phase I is sponsored by U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA). The USDA SBIR/STTR programs support small businesses in creating innovative, disruptive technologies with commercial potential or societal benefit, including projects dealing with agriculturally-related manufacturing and alternative and renewable energy technologies. Specialty tubing could be relevant for agricultural equipment or renewable energy systems.