Community Grant Programs
About Our Community Grant Programs
The Five Wings Arts Council provides grants to arts organizations, schools, and government organizations located in Cass, Crow Wing, Todd, Morrison, and Wadena counties, and the Leech Lake Tribal community. Community Grant programs are designed to enrich communities within our region through meaningful arts and cultural activities.
Applicants must be a Minnesota non-profit, tax-exempt organization as described in Section 501(c)(3) of the United States Internal Revenue Code with Articles of Incorporation on file with the State of Minnesota, a public school, or a governmental unit or department or agency of the State of Minnesota.
Community Arts Access Project Grants
Grants up to $5,000 are available to organizations providing services in Todd, Morrison, Wadena, Cass, and Crow Wing Counties of Minnesota. The applicant must be a Minnesota non-profit, tax-exempt organization as described in Section 501(c)(3) of the United States Internal Revenue Code with Articles of Incorporation on file with the State of Minnesota or a governmental unit or department, or agency of the State of Minnesota.
Grants are awarded based upon artistic quality, the ability of the applicant to carry out the project, and the relevancy of the project to meet a community's needs. Please review the Guidelines for Community Arts Access Project grants before submitting an application.
Application Deadlines:
January 15, April 15, July 15, and October 15
Photo Credit Long Prairie Chamber of Commerce
Small Grants
The Small Grant Program is intended to sponsor an arts-related activity for a first-time arts producer or presenter, or a sudden opportunity for a previously funded applicant. Grants for up to $1000 are available to arts organizations, community groups, and schools providing services in Todd, Morrison, Wadena, Cass, and Crow Wing counties. Applicants must be a Minnesota non-profit, tax-exempt organization as described in Section 501(c)(3) of the United States Internal Revenue Code with Articles of Incorporation on file with the State of Minnesota, a public school, or a governmental unit or department or agency of the State of Minnesota. There is no cash match required for this grant program.
Application Deadline: Small Grants for Community Arts Projects applications are accepted on an ONGOING basis. Before applying, please read the Guidelines for Small Grants for Community Arts Projects.
Photo Credit St.Francis Music Center
School Arts Project Grants
The School Arts Project Grants are available to public schools in Todd, Morrison, Wadena, Cass, and Crow Wing Counties of Minnesota to supplement and enrich (not replace) the arts education already being provided to the region's students. Grants up to $5,000 are available. No match is required.
Project examples include, but are not limited to; artist residencies, arts education field trips, and other non-curriculum arts activities.
Application Deadline: ONGOING
School Arts Project Grant applications will be accepted on an ONGOING basis throughout the year. Note: Community Education departments should use the Community Arts Access Project Grant application rather than School Arts Project Grants. Download the Guidelines for School Arts Project Grants.
General Operating Support Grants
NOTE: Please contact FWAC staff to verify eligibility before beginning the application.
The General Operating and Capital Support Grant program offers unrestricted grant funds to arts organizations, as well as arts affiliates of large institutions in Cass, Crow Wing, Morrison, Todd, and Wadena counties that do not receive general operating support from the Minnesota State Arts Board and have a current 501(c)(3) with the IRS. The arts organization must have its 501c-3 status for at least three years before being eligible to apply for this program.
General Operating grant funds may be used for administrative, operating, and capital expenditures. Grants are awarded based on artistic quality, commitment to community access, financial health, and overall stability of the organization.
General Operating grant fund levels correlate to the average of the expenses for the last two completed fiscal years.
Group 1 General Operating Support Grant Applications should be completed by organizations with an average of less than $32,000 over the most recently completed two years. General Operating grants awards for Group 1 organizations will be $5,000 for successful FY 25 General Operating Grant applications.
Group 2 General Operating Support Grant Applications should be completed by organizations with an average of more than $32,000 most recently completed two years. Successful grant applications will result in grants ranging from $10,000 - $20,000 depending upon the amount of the organizations budget in the most recently completed past two years.
Application Deadline: September 15th
General Operating Support Grant applications are accepted once a year via the FWAC online grant site due on September 15th by 11:59 am.
Photo Credit Lakes Area Music Festival
What Do you Need to Know Before Submitting an Application?
Before submitting a grant application, we encourage applicants to contact staff at Five Wings Art Council to determine eligibility. FWAC staff is available to answer questions and help brainstorm project concepts and ideas. Additionally, staff can provide feedback and assistance with the grant application process.
Ready to Learn More?
Contact:
Vicki Chepulis, Grants & Program Coordinator
Email: vicki@fwac.org
218-895-5660 or Toll-Free at 877-654-2166