How to Apply: The first step in our application process is the submission of a brief project description, called a pre-proposal. Pre-proposal forms can be downloaded from our web site at nwmf.org and are also available from NMF. Pre-proposals will be accepted at any time and are reviewed by our grant review team on a regular basis. If your project is determined to be eligible, a full application is invited.

Who’s Eligible to Apply? NMF only awards grants to organizations that are located and/or conducting activities in our 12-county service area. Applicants must be public agencies, units of government, or private nonprofits with a 501(c)(3) federal tax-exempt status. NMF does not award grants to individuals or businesses.

Eligible Expenses: NMF awards grants for typical project-related expenses such as salary and fringe benefits, consultant contracts, local travel, technology, supplies, and equipment essential to complete a project. Please ask if you have a question about the eligibility of a particular project cost.

Expenses That Aren’t Eligible: Grant requests for capital campaigns, annual fund drives, endowments, building construction, religious activities, past operating deficits, general operating expenses, lobbying, publicity or advertising will not be considered.

More Useful Information: Applicants 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.

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

Applicants are encouraged to contact NMF staff to discuss potential projects before submitting a pre-proposal.

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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.

MS Word | Adobe PDF