West Central Initiative Grants (Social Change focus)

West Central Initiative Grants (Social Change focus) is sponsored by West Central Initiative. West Central Initiative offers grants in three priority areas, one of which is Social Change. These grants support organizations working with historically marginalized communities to advance equity and systems change.

West Central Initiative Grants - West Central Initiative West Central Initiative Grants Sustainability, social change that advances equity, and civic engagement are vital for a healthy, resilient region. We created these grant opportunities with those priorities in mind.

We’ll award grants in three priority areas: Environmental Sustainability Grants will support community-led projects and nonprofits with a focus on sustainability and climate initiatives. Social Change Grants will support organizations working with historically marginalized communities to advance equity and systems change.

Civic Engagement Grants will support nonpartisan organizations that promote social change, cultivate local leadership, educate communities about government and civic systems, and encourage participation in public meetings. We understand the intersectionality of this work. To simplify that application process, organizations can complete one application that covers multiple focus areas.

Only one application will be considered per organization. Grants will range from $3,000 to $25,000. However, most grants will range from $3,000 to $10,000.

Grant dollars can’t be used to cover expenses incurred prior to grant approval or for religious activities, lobbying, or political activities. Requests can be for either general operating expenses or for a specific project or program. Events with long-term impact may be considered.

General operating support is most likely to be awarded to an organization that has an established presence and several years of activity in its community. Application Period: Tuesday, January 20, to Thursday, February 26, at 5 p. m.

Award Notifications: We will notify all applicants of their application status in April Grant Period: May 2026–April 2027 Grant Reporting Period: Grant reports are due by the end of the grant period in April 2027 Join us on Zoom to learn more about the eligibility details and application process and ask questions.

If you need access to a computer or help with the application process, schedule a time to meet with our Grants Officer during our in-person office hours at our office in Fergus Falls. By appointment, Wednesday, February 4, 10 a. m.

-12 p. m. & 3-5 p.

m. By appointment, Wednesday, February 18, 10 a. m.

-12 p. m. & 3-5 p.

m. Environmental Sustainability The organization or project is working to sustainable development and to meeting the environmental, social, and economic needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs. Projects focusing on climate action will be prioritized.

Sustainability Grants Allowable Uses and Expenses Listed below are some examples of things that grant dollars might be used for: Training and development needed by a local sustainability-focused organization to operate more effectively or maintain services. Technical assistance that builds the capacity of local partners who are working together to figure out a complex sustainability focused issue, such as transportation of local foods.

Expenses associated with work that mobilizes community members to take sustainability focused action. Research to better understand the scope and relevance of a sustainability issue in the community. Community convenings to identify sustainable development priorities and prompt dialogue.

Community learning opportunities that educate and guide the general public on tangible ways of making sustainable choices. Educational campaigns targeted to getting important information into the hands of community stakeholders and decision-makers. Equipment or supplies needed to implement a local food system project, sustainable agricultural project, or a project designed to combat climate change.

The organization or project is working towards making our region more equitable by supporting historically marginalized populations with the goal of making social and systemic changes. Historically marginalized communities are groups who have been overlooked, misunderstood, misrepresented, and/or excluded from places where decisions are being made.

Many groups were (and some continue to be) denied full participation in mainstream cultural, social, political, and economic activities. Marginalized communities can include people of color, women, LGBTQ+, individuals who have been incarcerated and families that have been disrupted by crime, people with disabilities, older adults, people experiencing poverty, and many more.

Social Change Grants Allowable Uses and Expenses Listed below are some examples of things that grant dollars might be used for: Equipment, supplies, training, communication, and/or staffing needed to take action that encourages civic engagement or to deliver services that promote inclusion and justice. Expenses associated with work that mobilizes and empowers community members to take action that will lead to a more equitable community.

The nonpartisan organization or project is working to bring about social change, cultivate local leadership in the public or nonprofit sector, provide community education on government and other civic systems, and encourage participation in public meetings.

Civic Engagement Grants Allowable Uses and Expenses Listed below are some examples of things that grant dollars might be used for: Removing barriers to voters and voter registration or encouraging engagement in other civic activities. Education (e.g., educating about nonprofit leadership, civics and the constitution, voter registration, or curriculum development for schools on civic education and engagement.)

Activities (e.g., speakers for New American audiences, sessions on how American democracy works, layers of government, intro to American democracy, registering to vote, workshops or seminars on civic responsibilities, or training programs for marginalized or underrepresented groups to increase participation in public decision-making and advocacy.)

To be eligible for West Central Initiative Grants, your organization must: Be a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, public or nonprofit school, or unit of government (including Tribal government or division) or must be fiscally sponsored by another organization with this status.

Serve people in West Central Initiative’s geography, which includes nine counties: Becker, Clay, Douglas, Grant, Otter Tail, Pope, Stevens, Traverse, and Wilkin and White Earth Nation. Funds managed by West Central Initiative are not eligible at this time. We’ll use the criteria listed below to review proposals.

Our desire to spread awards across the region may result in a proposal being considered for funding even if it does not fully meet all the criteria. Sound Planning: The goals of the project and the steps to be taken to achieve them are clearly stated. The budget is realistic in relation to the applicant’s goals and activities.

Organizational Capacity: The applicant’s proposal demonstrates that they have the capacity, leadership, and resources needed to complete the work to be funded. Inclusive Community Engagement : The proposed project engages diverse populations and advances new community collaborations. The funded work will strengthen community partnerships and mobilize community members, particularly historically excluded groups.

Impact: The results of the proposed work are clearly stated. The applicant has defined the quantitative (countable) and/or qualitative (describable) measures they will use to gauge the success of their efforts. Please specify all expenses that will be covered by this grant.

Itemize anticipated expenses for this proposal. We invite you to upload a spreadsheet including staff costs, materials and supplies, and travel expenses when relevant. If you apply for general operating expenses, please upload your annual operating budget.

General budget components: Direct Costs: Explicit expenses tied directly to project activities, including staff salaries, fringe benefits, and specialized equipment. Indirect Costs (Facilities & Administrative Costs): Overhead expenses such as facility utilities and administrative support that are not easily assigned to a single project.

Income/Revenue: Sources of funding, including the requested grant amount, organization contributions, and other confirmed external support. Budget Detail: A written explanation that justifies each line item and explains the mathematical calculations used to reach the total estimates. Propel Nonprofits General Operating Budget Tool Smartsheet Nonprofit Budget Templates All applicants must apply through our application portal.

You will need a SurveyMonkey Apply account to start an application. If you have applied for a grant through SurveyMonkey Apply in the past, we recommend using the same account information for this application. The application will open on January 20, 2026.

Frequently Asked Questions Can I apply for this grant round if I haven’t submitted my grant report from the last grant round? Yes! As long as your project will conclude before May 27, 2026, your organization is eligible to apply to this grant round.

What type of questions will be on the application? Organization information, such as contact information, address, EIN number, and mission statement. Project information, such as project name and project dates.

Information about the population served (number of people, geographic, and demographic information). Funding information, such as total project cost, amount requested, and other funds raised for the project, along with a project budget. Can I view the full application?

Yes, once you have started or submitted an application, you can download it as a PDF to view the full application. To do so, find the application you’d like to view under “My Applications,” at the top right of your screen. Then, click the three vertical dots on the application and select download.

You may wish to download a copy of your submitted application for your records. A fiscal agent is an organization that agrees to accept and be responsible for grant funds on an organization’s behalf. A fiscal agent must be a nonprofit organization, school, church, or unit of government.

Before listing a fiscal agent on your application, you must discuss entering this partnership with them. The fiscal agent should be a trusted partner, as they will receive the grant check if your organization is selected as a recipient. Component funds of West Central Initiative that don’t have their own 501(c)(3) status are not eligible to apply, unless partnering with a fiscal agent.

How do I add a fiscal agent as a collaborator on my application? If you are partnering with a fiscal agent, you must add a collaborator to your application. You can also add anyone else you would like to help with the application as a collaborator.

To do this, click “add a collaborator” on the left side of the screen before you start the application form, and enter the email addresses of those you would like to invite to collaborate. Please select “view & edit” permissions for the fiscal agent contact. You can also add a collaborator after you start your application by going “back to application” and adding a collaborator.