2022 Voter Engagement Grants are now closed. Congratulations to the 31 organizations across Minnesota who received a grant!
See the full 2022 Voter Engagement Grantee list.
MCN is excited to offer grants to Minnesota nonprofits to promote voter engagement in the mid-term 2022 elections. We have two grant funding opportunities available to nonprofits.
Category 1 grants are designed for nonprofits that are able to do critical elections engagement work in their communities, whether that organization has done voter engagement work in the past or whether this will be their first foray into the work. These grants are for $5,000. We expect most applicants to request the full $5,000, but are allowing for smaller grants if an organization wouldn’t be able to use the full $5,000. MCN expects to award 22 of these grants.
Category 2 grants are designed for nonprofits that have a history of organizing their communities around voter engagement or other important community issues (such as Census, issue-based advocacy, etc). Organizations who apply for this grant will need to illustrate past community organizing efforts. Organizations can apply for an amount between $10,000-$25,000. We anticipate granting 4-8 Category 2 awards, depending on proposal amounts.
What Role do Nonprofits Play in Voter Engagement?
Voting is a critical part of our democracy and nonprofits play an important nonpartisan role in elections. As nonprofits, we can encourage our communities to register to vote, inform constituents about voting process such as dates and deadlines, share what is on the ballot, and remind people to vote on Election Day. We are all stronger when communities are using their voice and power to help shape and change systems that impact them every day – especially communities that have been historically disenfranchised from our country’s democratic processes. Be part of the movement and consider applying for these grants!
This fall will be a busy time in Minnesota election races – all eight U.S. House of Representatives seats, the entire Minnesota House and Senate (201 seats), governor, secretary of state, attorney general, state auditor, and more are up for election this November. Check out our webpage on Nonprofits & Elections for more information.