Best Public Infrastructure Grants in Minnesota

Community-based nonprofits, tribal governments, local governments, and educational institutions in Minnesota can seek funding for environmental and public health assessment and engagement projects in disadvantaged communities, with awards up to US $150,000. The Minneapolis Foundation supports public infrastructure-related efforts such as air, soil, and water quality monitoring, healthy homes, stormwater and green infrastructure, and disaster resilience across EPA Region 5.

Nonprofit organizations and government entities in Minnesota working on climate and energy systems change can apply for McKnight Foundation’s Midwest Climate and Energy grants to support operating or project work. Funding may benefit public infrastructure efforts such as clean energy grids, transit and mobility, building decarbonization, and other equitable, low-carbon community initiatives.

Minnesota workforce development intermediaries and accredited educational institutions can access funding for customized job training projects in Minnesota. Minnesota Job Skills Partnership supports collaborations between schools and businesses, offering up to US $50,000 for curriculum development, instruction, training materials, equipment, and related costs that create career pathways for low-income or public-assistance-transitioning workers.

Accredited educational institutions in Minnesota partnering with in-state businesses can apply for Minnesota Job Skills Partnership grants of up to US $500,000 to design and deliver customized worker training. Funding covers training-related costs and educational infrastructure that support high-quality jobs, which may benefit organizations improving public-serving facilities and workforce capacity.

Minnesota nonprofit organizations and government entities can receive support for economic mobility, community wealth-building, fair and just housing, and democratic participation initiatives that strengthen public systems and community infrastructure. Grants from McKnight Foundation help Minnesota public infrastructure and community development efforts that expand quality jobs, increase access to capital, and improve affordable housing and wealth-building opportunities for low-income and BIPOC residents.

Minnesota public infrastructure and environmental policy organizations can access funding through the Joyce Foundation to advance climate solutions and Great Lakes and drinking water initiatives. Eligible national and environmental justice groups working in Minnesota on carbon-free power, clean drinking water, or Great Lakes protection may be supported, with an invite-based process and emphasis on impacted communities’ leadership.

Minnesota higher education institutions and eligible nonprofits can seek US $5,000 - US $6,000 to strengthen science, engineering, and business programs that close the opportunity gap for students. Minnesota public infrastructure groups focused on education access and workforce pathways may be eligible through the Boreal Waters Community Foundation’s Sandbulte Family Higher Education Endowment Fund.

Public and charter schools in Minnesota counties served by this program can apply for Project Lead The Way’s PLTW Computer Science New Program grants; awards US $20,000 for launching and expanding PLTW computer science courses. Funding covers participation fees, required technology, equipment, supplies, and PLTW Core Training costs for two years.

Public and charter schools in eligible Minnesota counties can access funding to launch new PLTW Engineering programs, including courses in the 2027–2028 and 2028–2029 school years. Minnesota schools serving at least 40% free and reduced-price lunch students may receive US $40,000 for PLTW fees, required technology, equipment, supplies, and core training costs.

Public schools and public charter schools implementing new PLTW Engineering programs can apply for Project Lead The Way’s Lam Foundation funding, with awards of US $30,000 for curriculum, equipment, devices, and teacher training. Eligible schools must be in specified AZ, CA, ID, MA, NY, OH, OR, TX, or UT counties and may support infrastructure-related STEM pathways.

Public and charter middle schools expanding PLTW Gateway STEM and engineering programs in Minnesota counties can receive US $10,000 to add units, sections, equipment, or teacher training. Project Lead The Way partners with Burns & McDonnell to fund participation fees, required technology, program supplies, and PLTW Core Training for schools serving at least 40% free and reduced-price lunch students.

Traditional public and public charter schools expanding PLTW Engineering programs can use this US $10,000 grant for participation fees, required technology, equipment, supplies, and PLTW Core Training. Although focused on specific U.S. counties, Minnesota public infrastructure and education stakeholders may still find this K–12 STEM funding model informative.

Public and charter middle schools in eligible Minnesota counties can receive US $20,000 to launch new PLTW Gateway STEM programs, covering fees, required technology, equipment, supplies, and core training costs. Project Lead The Way and Burns & McDonnell support schools serving at least 40% free/reduced-price lunch students, which may strengthen future public infrastructure talent pipelines.

Traditional public and public charter schools implementing PLTW Gateway or PLTW Engineering can apply for Project Lead The Way’s Lam Foundation grants to support new or expanding STEM programs. Funding up to US $20,000 covers PLTW participation fees, required technology, equipment, supplies, and core training costs for eligible U.S. counties; schools serving more low-income students receive priority.

Public and charter middle schools in eligible Minnesota counties with at least 40% of students on free or reduced-price lunch can apply for Project Lead The Way’s PLTW Gateway expansion grants, offering US $10,000 to grow STEM programs. Funds may cover PLTW fees, required technology, equipment, supplies, and teacher core training.

Traditional public and public charter schools expanding PLTW Gateway STEM programs can use this US $10,000 grant for participation fees, required technology, equipment, supplies, and PLTW Core Training. Focused on education enrichment, Project Lead The Way invites eligible U.S. schools, especially those serving students with economic need, to apply for program expansion support.

Public and charter elementary schools launching new PLTW STEM programs in select Minnesota counties can receive up to US $20,000 for participation fees, required devices, equipment, supplies, and core training costs. With a mission to expand STEM access, Project Lead The Way and Burns & McDonnell back PLTW Launch modules over two academic years for eligible high-need schools.

Traditional public and public charter schools starting or expanding PLTW Launch STEM programs can apply for Project Lead The Way’s Lam Foundation support; awards US $15,000 for curriculum launch costs. Funding covers PLTW participation fees, required devices, equipment and supplies, and PLTW Core Training with related travel, room, and board in eligible U.S. counties, not Minnesota.

Minnesota public schools and charter schools offering PLTW Launch can access funding through Project Lead The Way to expand elementary STEM programs. Grants of US $5,000 may cover PLTW participation fees, required devices, equipment, supplies, and teacher training for the 2027–2028 year in eligible high-need districts, which include multiple Minnesota counties on this list.

Traditional public and public charter schools expanding PLTW Launch, Gateway, or Engineering programs can apply for Project Lead The Way grants, including schools in Minnesota. Awards of US $5,000 support PLTW participation fees, required devices, program equipment and supplies, and PLTW Core Training, helping K–12 STEM programs grow capacity and reach more students.

Focused on climate resilience and water infrastructure, small Minnesota communities under 10,000 residents can seek planning grants to address stormwater, wastewater, and community health impacts. Administered by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, this US $1,100,000 program supports vulnerability assessments and adaptation planning that may strengthen local public infrastructure and services statewide.

Minnesota local governments seeking support for public infrastructure, housing, or commercial rehabilitation projects can access funding through the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development’s Small Cities Development Program. Eligible non-entitlement cities, counties, and townships may receive US $600,000 - US $1,400,000 for housing rehabilitation, water and wastewater systems, and broader community development benefiting low- and moderate-income residents.

Nonprofits, public entities, Tribal governments, churches, and fiscally sponsored groups in Minnesota’s Boreal Waters Community Foundation service area can apply for Boreal Waters Community Foundation’s Wirtanen Family Fund, with awards up to US $4,000 for social justice and community awareness projects. Funding may support anti-discrimination efforts, civic participation, cross-cultural understanding, and related public infrastructure for community engagement.

Nonprofit and community-based organizing groups in Minnesota can seek funding to build democratic participation, narrative infrastructure, and long-term movement capacity across issues such as economic justice, climate, racial justice, immigration, Indigenous sovereignty, and LGBTQIA+ rights. Grants from the Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation provide up to US $500,000, which may support civic and community infrastructure efforts connected to public infrastructure priorities.

Grocery stores and small food retailers in Minnesota seeking to improve infrastructure and equipment for affordable, nutritious, and culturally appropriate food access can apply for competitive grants ranging from US $5,000 - US $75,000. Minnesota Department of Agriculture supports equipment purchases and physical improvements that boost healthy food sales in underserved low- and moderate-income communities.

Eligible 501(c)(3) organizations and Minnesota Section PGA members in Minnesota running established golf instruction or player development programs can apply for the George Waters Grant, which supports teaching, infrastructure, and special assistance needs. Programs serving junior golfers, disabled golfers, or Special Olympics athletes may benefit, including those offering accessible, community-oriented golf opportunities.

Minnesota organizations developing rural community telehealth access points can apply for US $50,000 - US $75,000 to create dedicated spaces for virtual health appointments. Focused on telehealth infrastructure, the Minnesota Department of Health supports TAPs in sites like schools, libraries, clinics, and Tribal facilities to expand health care access in rural communities.