The first step in our application process is the submission of a brief project description, called a pre-proposal. They are accepted at any time. Those received by the last Friday of each month will be reviewed for eligibility at the next meeting of the NMF board. If a project is determined to be eligible, a full application is invited.

Grants are only made to organizations located and/or conducting activities in the 12-county NMF service area. Applicants must be public agencies or private nonprofits with 501(c)(3) federal tax-exempt status. NMF does not make grants directly to individuals or businesses.

Grant requests will not be considered for capital campaigns, major equipment purchases, annual fund drives, endowments, building construction, religious activities, past operating deficits, general operating expenses, lobbying, publicity or advertising.

Projects should show evidence of grassroots support, the need for NMF funding, and plans for future sustainability. All grants are awarded for a two-year period or less and usually do not exceed $25,000. NMF will typically fund no more than half of the total cost of a proposed project.

To be considered for grant funding, a pre-proposal must be submitted on the NMF pre-proposal application form. Applicants are encouraged to contact NMF staff to discuss projects prior to submission. Pre-proposals may be submitted at any time; those received by the last Friday of each month are reviewed for eligibility at the next meeting of the NMF board of directors.

Please contact Jim Steenerson, Grants Specialist or Peggy Crandall, Grants Services Associate for inquiries at (218)759-2057 or in Minnesota (800)659-7859.

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Download the Grant Pre-Proposal Form

Download, print, and complete the pre-proposal form, then print and mail with original signatures to the NMF office in Bemidji.

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