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Grant Guide

It’s no surprise that park and trail projects require lots of funding. Grants issued by government and private entities can help friends groups and park and trail land management agencies accomplish a wide variety of projects.

All Fundraising Resources

Search for grants by:

Land Type

LAND TYPE

orange tree PARK  orange trail icon TRAIL

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GMRPTC-RegionalLegacy
Musser-Environmental
DNR-LocalTrailConnections
DNR-NaturalScenicAreas
DNR-OutdoorRecreation
DNR-RegionalTrails
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System Type

System Type

state icon orangeSTATE     region icon orange   REGIONAL local icon orange LOCAL

Musser-Environmental
DNR-LocalTrailConnections
DNR-NaturalScenicAreas
DNR-OutdoorRecreation
DNR-RegionalTrails
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Project Type

Project Type

Look for grants that support INFRASTRUCTURE, LAND/RESOURCE, ORGANIZATIONAL DEVELOPMENT, or PEOPLE/ENGAGEMENT projects.

Musser-Environmental
DNR-LocalTrailConnections
DNR-NaturalScenicAreas
DNR-OutdoorRecreation
DNR-RegionalTrails
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Applicant Type

Applicant Type

Look for grants that are for a 501(c)(3) NONPROFIT or GOVERNMENT ENTITY.

Clif-Small
GMRPTC-RegionalLegacy
Musser-Environmental
DNR-LocalTrailConnections
DNR-NaturalScenicAreas
DNR-OutdoorRecreation
DNR-RegionalTrails
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Application Deadline

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06-Herington-Stephanie-BorderRoute3
Aerial shot of the central lakes trail and a lake
FriendsGroup_chester-woods-trail-group
Blazing Star State Trail
teepee in the prairie at Upper Sioux Agency state park
hiker in winter on boardwalk
7 people with safety vests
Blue Mounds State Park by Debbie Kippen
Chester Woods Park sign
Clean Up Day at Father Hennepin State Park. Photo courtesy of East Central Energy
Friends-raking
boy scout troop at habitat restoration event
Two people kneeling to install playground structure
Lake Bemidji State Park by Nancy Jahnel
A snowy overlook of a marsh
Dramatic sunset over a marsh at Lake Maria State Park
Causeway connecting to the island within the lake
Lashbrook Park
Crafting station in the park
Minneopa State Park's Seppman Mill by Randy Wood
Group walking through prairie and looking at plants
CCC bridge
Oxbow 2018 tree cookie
Rice Lake Candlelight snowshoe hike. By Vickie Wendel
Swallowtail butterfly on a flower
Historic Sioux Quartzite bridge at Split Rock Creek State Park
Tettegouche Overlook (Paul Sundberg)
Members of the Friends of Casey Jones
An older couple ambles down the paved bike trail
bicyclists gathered at trailhead
Peggy Prowe, a strong advocate for the trail riding across the bridge in Northfield named in her honor.
Mississippi-Blufflands
Friends assist with a park event
Group of volunteers by St. Croix River and garbage they cleaned up
Two Friends Group members leave headquarters during a moonlight ski event.
four members of the Assoc. standing in grass at Frontenac
Bicyclists riding at underpass
Two men standing on the trail
Mount Tom structure
Steve Nelson and Lisa Malmstrom stand by poster for Glendalough Park Partners
Goodhue-pioneer
Azalea Rd Hike Big woods
Aerial shot of bikers on trail
bluegrass band in the park
Two men standing behind tabling booth
two happy bikers emerge from the covered bridge
Snowy Itasca State Park by Jelieta Walinski Ph.D
Crossing Leatherwood Creek on a rainy day.
NorthStarTrailTravelers
Norwegian style shelter along the Shooting Star Trail
Group of volunteers from Sibley State Park Imrprovement Association sitting around

Acknowledgements

This grant guide would not exist without the many dedicated professionals working on grant programs for parks and trails across Minnesota. A big thank you to the following individuals who provided information and guidance—their assistance in the project is greatly appreciated.

  • Explore Minnesota Tourism: Lori Peterson
  • Laura Jane Musser Fund: Sandra Voytovich
  • Minnesota Department of Natural Resources: Audrey Mularie & Dave Sobania
  • Minnesota Historical Society: Carolyn Veeser-Egbide
  • National Environmental Education Foundation: Isabel Spake
  • North Start Ski Touring Club: Mel Peterson
  • PeopleForBikes: Zoe Kirkos