Grants Available to Help Cities Pursue DEI Initiatives

Post by Arianna Bloom, LMC Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Coordinator

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) work can help make your community a more welcoming place where all residents feel included, valued, and respected. Grants are one resource you can utilize to help push your city’s DEI work forward. Just like grant funding can help with infrastructure and development projects, it can also help your city build successful DEI initiatives and projects that help serve your community in an equitable way.

Cities are eligible to apply for the following DEI-related grants that are currently seeking applications :

Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation Inclusive and Equitable Communities Grant

This grant supports communities in southern Minnesota that are focusing on initiatives to grow racial diversity, equity, and inclusion opportunities in the area of entrepreneurship. The deadline for this grant is Nov. 20, 2023.

Cultural Diversity Network of Owatonna used this grant to support a racial equity education series for the community and a mentorship program for students of color. Additionally, Diversity Council in Rochester used this grant to provide cultural aptitude training opportunities to government agencies throughout 11 counties in southeast Minnesota. The Village Community Garden and Learning Center in Rochester also used this grant to increase capacity and support for immigrant farmers in Rochester who grow culturally relevant food.

Apply for the Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation Inclusive and Equitable Communities Grant.

American Public Works Association Diversity & Inclusion Grant

The Minnesota Chapter of APWA, in partnership with the Minnesota Surveyors and Engineers Society (MSES), created this grant to foster a diverse workforce within the field of public works through education, training, and awareness initiatives focused on underrepresented populations. The application deadline for this grant is Jan. 12, 2024.

Apply for the American Public Works Association Diversity & Inclusion Grant.

McKnight Foundation Vibrant and Equitable Communities Grant

The Vibrant & Equitable Communities program aims to accelerate economic mobility, build community wealth, cultivate a fair and just housing system, and strengthen democratic participation. The program seeks to meet community-defined needs, and shift policies and practices in lasting ways.

Organizations have used this grant to fund housing assistance programs, support climate crisis solutions, and for operating support to continue working toward DEI-related goals. The McKnight Foundation accepts applications on a rolling basis and aims to make a decision to distribute funding within 3 months of receiving an application. However, if funding in the current calendar year is critical, they recommend submitting your application by Sept. 1.

Apply for the McKnight Foundation Vibrant and Equitable Communities Grant.

Interested in exploring other grants?

For more information about other current grant opportunities, visit the grant opportunities page on the LMC website.