Minnesota Energy Resources – Charitable Giving Grants (October 2026 Cycle)

Community Grants Supporting Minnesota Nonprofits in Education, Human Services, the Environment, Arts, and Community Development

Minnesota Energy Resources provides charitable grants and sponsorships to nonprofit organizations serving communities within its Minnesota natural gas service area. Funding supports community and neighborhood development, health and human services, arts and culture, education, and environmental initiatives.

Applications are reviewed quarterly, with the next deadline on October 31, 2026.

Organization: Minnesota Energy Resources
Funding Partner: Wisconsin Public Service Foundation
Support Type: Program, project and capital grants; sponsorships
Geographic Focus: Minnesota Energy Resources service area
Deadline: October 31, 2026

New to corporate grant fundraising?
Read our Corporate Grants for Nonprofits: Ultimate Guide to learn how corporate funding works.

About the Funder

Minnesota Energy Resources is a regulated natural gas utility serving approximately 240,000 customers in 179 communities across 52 Minnesota counties.

Charitable contributions are provided by Minnesota Energy Resources in partnership with the Wisconsin Public Service Foundation, a private charitable foundation funded by WEC Energy Group shareholders.

In 2025, Minnesota Energy Resources and the foundation provided more than $153,000 to nonprofit organizations and community causes across the company’s service area.

What This Program Supports

Minnesota Energy Resources considers requests within five primary funding areas:

Community and Neighborhood Development

Support for nonprofit organizations and community-based projects working to improve neighborhoods, strengthen local communities, and encourage residents to work together.

Health and Human Services

Programs that support the physical and emotional wellbeing of community members. Priority areas may include services for:

• Individuals and families with limited incomes
• Older adults
• Individuals with disabilities
• Community health and wellness initiatives

Arts and Culture

Projects that enrich community life, expand access to the arts, and promote diversity. Examples may include:

• Theater
• Dance
• Music
• Museums
• Community arts programming

Education

Programs that support lifelong learning and complement the company’s educational priorities, including:

• Partnerships between businesses and educational institutions
• Career planning and workforce preparation
• Youth mentoring
• Educational opportunities for women and historically underrepresented groups

Environment

Programs that promote responsible natural resource use and environmental improvement, including:

• Fish and wildlife conservation
• Water and air quality
• Forest protection
• Energy efficiency
• Renewable energy
• Recycling and waste reduction

Eligible Support Types

Applicants may request support through two primary application tracks:

• Program, project or capital grants
• Sponsorship grants

Minnesota Energy Resources prefers to support specific programs and projects. Some capital campaigns may be considered, but most funding is directed toward programmatic or project-based requests.

General operating support is rarely provided.

Eligibility and Preferences

Eligible applicants must generally be:

• Qualified nonprofit organizations
• Recognized by the IRS as tax-exempt under Section 501(c)(3)
• Located within the Minnesota Energy Resources service area
• Applying for a project that aligns with one or more of the company’s funding priorities

Organizations outside the company’s service area may only be considered when the proposed project will be delivered directly within communities served by Minnesota Energy Resources.

Organizations receiving support through United Way are generally not eligible for additional general operating funding. However, they may still apply for:

• Specific programs or projects
• Capital campaigns
• Event sponsorships

Organizations may receive funding only once per calendar year.

Ineligible Requests

Minnesota Energy Resources does not fund:

• Individuals
• Fraternal organizations
• Religious organizations
• Political organizations
• Trips or tours
• Pageants
• Athletic activities
• Sports teams
• Extracurricular school events
• Student exchange programs
• Organizations that do not have eligible 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status
• Organizations located outside the service area unless the project directly serves Minnesota Energy Resources customer communities
• Organizations that discriminate based on race, color, religion, creed, age, gender, national origin, sexual orientation, or another protected characteristic

Funding Amounts

Minnesota Energy Resources does not publish a fixed grant range.

Many grants are $1,000 or less, while awards of $25,000 or more are rare.

Applicants should base their request on:

• The project or program budget
• Existing organizational resources
• Anticipated funding from other sources
• The scale and expected impact of the project
• The organization’s financial health and reputation

Applicants should submit a realistic request. Minnesota Energy Resources notes that an amount considered unreasonable or financially infeasible may remove a proposal from consideration.

Timeline and Review

📅 Next Application Deadline: October 31, 2026
📅 Review Schedule: Quarterly
📅 Annual Deadlines: January 31, April 30, July 31 and October 31
📅 Notification Timeline: Not publicly specified

Organizations are eligible to receive funding only once during each calendar year.

Application Process

Applications must be submitted through the online Blackbaud YourCause grant portal.

The application system was updated on July 1, 2026. Applicants must create an account using an email address and password and provide the requested organizational information.

Returning applicants may also need to create a new account unless they already have a Blackbaud ID.

Applicants should select the application that corresponds with their request:

Program, Project or Capital Grant:
➡️ https://bbgm-apply.yourcausegrants.com/apply/programs/7194d4f3-dfcb-42f6-a605-19e911c1d4f0

Sponsorship Grant:
➡️ https://bbgm-apply.yourcausegrants.com/apply/programs/be1a61fd-bd43-42ed-b9a6-70ff0df8560f

Applicants should clearly explain:

• The community need being addressed
• The specific Minnesota community or communities served
• How the request aligns with a funding priority
• The project budget and requested amount
• Other committed or anticipated funding
• Expected activities, outcomes, and community benefits

Apply or Learn More

➡️ https://www.wecenergygroup.com/community/minnesota-energy-resources-charitable-giving.htm

Organizations should confirm that their proposed project is located within the Minnesota Energy Resources service area before applying.

Why This Opportunity Is a Good Fit

This opportunity may be a strong fit for organizations that:

• Operate in communities served by Minnesota Energy Resources
• Have current 501(c)(3) nonprofit status
• Are seeking support for a specific program or project
• Focus on education, community development, environmental improvement, arts and culture, or health and human services
• Can demonstrate clear and visible benefits for a Minnesota community
• Are seeking a small or moderate grant rather than a major institutional award

The program is particularly well suited for locally based nonprofits with defined projects that respond to tangible community needs.

Corporate Grants Guide Notes

Review Type: Quarterly
Next Deadline: October 31, 2026
Typical Award Size: Many grants are $1,000 or less
Large Awards: Grants of $25,000 or more are rare
Best Suited For: Minnesota community-based nonprofits with specific programs, projects, capital needs, or sponsorship requests
Geographic Requirement: Minnesota Energy Resources service area
Application System: Blackbaud YourCause
Annual Limit: Organizations may receive funding once per calendar year