Frequently Asked Questions

  • Here are some links to videos that can help you:

    Create a new account for Individuals

    Create a new account for Organizations

  • We want to make sure everyone has access to our grants!

    • Maybe you do not have access to a computer or have a slow internet connection – we can help! We have computers that applicants can use to apply for grants at our Bemdji office. Contact us to set-up an appointment.

    • We offer oral application (and final reports) for those with trouble typing. If you have vision issues, arthritis, an injury or mobility issues, cognitive issues, or any other reason typing is difficult, you can call, text, or email staff to call you or interview you in person. We ask you the application questions, type your response, and read it back to you for corrections to make sure we get it right and in your voice.

    • We offer flexible grant award payments. If you receive Social Security or disability payments or other services that are based on your monthly income, we do not want a sudden grant award payment of $1,000-$6,000 to interrupt your services! We can pay your grant award in smaller installments to help. Contact us to find out about this service.

  • No. To apply for our grants you must be a resident of the state of Minnesota for voting and tax purposes and must have lived in Beltrami, Clearwater, Hubbard, Lake of the Woods or Mahnomen counties for at least six months.

    However, if you are an indigenous artist or culture bearer, we open our service area wider to provide access to members of the three sovereign nations that surround us - Leech Lake, Red Lake and White Earth. Tribal members and descendants living in the above 5-county service area or additionally in Becker, Cass, Itasca or Roseau counties, are eligible to apply.

  • Yes! If you are a group formed for nonprofit purposes seeking to fund an arts-focused activity, you can apply for our Arts Access Grant using a fiscal sponsor. If you are a group who’s primary focus is the arts and you are interested in obtaining 501(c)3 status, you can also apply for our Community Arts Support Grant to help you afford that process.

  • We provide links to other arts funders here, but we also can help you research funding streams if you contact us to set up an appointment.

  • Yes! We are always looking for community members to read grant applications, score them against our criteria for each program, and help us decide who and what to fund. You can find more information here, or just fill out the online form.