Special Grants

Canadian Border Counties Economic Relief Program

In collaboration with the State of Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development, grants of up to $50,000 each are being offered to businesses located in Minnesota counties and Tribal nations bordering Canada that lost 10% or more in revenues as a result of the closure of the Canadian border since 2020 and/or the 2021 closure of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. Funding and eligibility were established in law by the legislature.

Applications can be submitted until 5:00 p.m. on January 12, 2024, using the link below. Applicants will be notified by e-mail of their status in early March 2024. If there are funds left over, another grant round may open in the spring. However, interested businesses are encouraged to apply as soon as possible. All funding must be awarded by June 30, 2024.

PURPOSE: The Canadian Border Counties Economic Relief Program provides grants to eligible for-profit businesses adversely affected by the closures of the Canadian border since 2020 and/or the 2021 closure of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.

FUNDING AMOUNT: Up to $50,000 per grant. Grants will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis.
A portion of funds are specifically set aside for businesses that are majority owned (at least 51%) by enrolled member(s) of a Minnesota-based Tribe or are Tribal government-owned businesses located within a county that borders Canada.

ELIGIBILITY: Grant dollars must be used for business purposes, for example, to support payroll expenses, rent or mortgage payments, utility bills, equipment, and other similar expenses that occur in the regular course of business, or for special projects to enhance business operations. To be eligible to apply, businesses must be

• located in Cook, Kittson, Koochiching, Lake, Lake of the Woods, Roseau, or St. Louis County or the Tribal nations of Bois Forte, Grand Portage, Fond du Lac, or Red Lake (businesses located on Tribal lands within the geographic boundaries of counties bordering Canada).
• able to demonstrate at least a 10% drop in gross receipts between 2019 and 2021 by providing tax returns from those two years.
• currently operating and a for-profit (nonprofit, public, and governmental agencies are NOT eligible).
• in good standing with the Minnesota Secretary of State or the Tribal equivalent.

TO APPLY: As your first step, carefully read the Information Sheet, below, and the FAQs to find out all the details about the program. A Word document with the application questions and word count limits may help you prepare your responses. The application link closes at 5 p.m. on January 12, 2024.

• Information sheet (pdf)
• Application questions (Word doc)
• Frequently Asked Questions (pdf)

QUESTIONS? Email Michelle Ufford, Director of Grantmaking.

BORDER COUNTIES APPLICATION

Greater St. Louis County Child Care Grants

In partnership with St. Louis County, two grant opportunities are available to support the start-up, expansion, and stabilization of child care. To be eligible, programs must be located in Greater St. Louis County ~ that is anywhere in St. Louis County except within the city limits of Duluth, Hermantown, and Proctor.

Funding for these opportunities is available on an ongoing basis, subject to available funds. All funds must be expended by June 15, 2024.

If your child care program is located outside of the targeted area for these grant opportunities but is still within our service area, please email Taylor Holm, Program Officer, to explore other resources or grant opportunities that might fit your needs.

1. Start-up & Expansion Grants

PURPOSE: To help support the start-up or expansion of center-based or family-based child care programs located in Greater St. Louis County (anywhere in St. Louis County except within the city limits of Duluth, Hermantown, or Proctor).

FUNDING AMOUNT: Family-based programs may apply for up to $5,000. Center-based programs may apply for up to $25,000.

TO APPLY: To apply for a Start-up & Expansion Grant, you will first need to complete a short online questionnaire. If you have questions about Start-up & Expansion Grants or the Inquiry Survey, please email Taylor Holm, Program Officer.

• Inquiry Survey

We will be reviewing inquiries on a regular basis and will get back to you with next steps if your program qualifies for funding.

2. Sustainability Grants

PURPOSE: To help licensed family-based child care providers and child care centers that are experiencing a challenge which jeopardizes their program’s ability to maintain services. This may be due to a required repair outlined by a State or County/Tribal Child Care Licensor and/or Fire Marshal or other emergency that impacts their ability to provide child care.

FUNDING AMOUNT: Licensed family-based programs can apply for up to $5,000. Licensed center-based programs can apply for up to $10,000.

EXAMPLES OF ELIGIBLE PROJECTS: Programs may apply for funds to replace or repair materials damaged or lost due to an emergency, or to correct infractions flagged by licensing. The items you apply for must directly affect the quality and safety of your program and meet licensing requirements. All materials must be new and purchased from a retail store, not a private party.

Eligible items that are 100% for business use will be funded at 100%. Items that are shared with a household (licensed family-based program) or organization (such as a congregation) may be funded at 50% (e.g. furnace, water heater, dishwasher, etc.).

TO APPLY: (1) As a first step before applying, please carefully read the Grant Information.

(2) The Application may be completed as a Word doc that you can download and work in using Word, or as a fillable pdf which you can open and type directly into online, then download and save.