Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund - Community Grant Program
The FY2027 Community Impact Funding Round is now open for applicants to review the funding opportunity and prepare their Stage 1 Concept Notes. The application portal opens December 1, 2026.
The Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund (ENRTF) Community Grant Program supports projects that protect, conserve, preserve, or enhance Minnesota’s environment and natural resources. The program aims to broaden participation in ENRTF funding, including among communities adversely affected by pollution and environmental degradation.
FY2027 RFP 01 uses a two-stage competitive process. Stage 1 asks applicants for a shorter Concept Note. Only applicants invited to Stage 2 submit a Full Application. The Stage 1 application portal opens December 1, 2026, and Concept Notes are due January 7, 2027, at 11:59 p.m. Central Time. Review FY2027 RFP 01 for all requirements.
You do not need previous state grant experience to explore this opportunity. The DNR wants to hear from communities about their natural resource priorities and learn from applicants’ experiences during this first funding round. Published requirements and review criteria in FY2027 RFP 01 apply equally to all applicants.
What can the Community Grant Program support?
The Community Grant Program can support projects in the eligible activity areas. Start by considering which area best reflects the main purpose of your project idea.
Adversely impacted communities
Projects that address environmental degradation and related health concerns in communities adversely affected by pollution or other environmental harm.
Aquatic invasive species management
Projects that manage aquatic invasive species.
Preserve or enhance natural resources
Preserving or enhancing Minnesota's air, land, water, and other natural resources that otherwise may be substantially impaired or destroyed.
Education and awareness
Projects that increase environmental and natural resource education and awareness.
Existing trail maintenance and improvement
Projects that maintain or improve existing state, regional or local trails. New trails and new trail segments are not eligible under this activity area.
Start the conversation
You do not need a complete project plan to get started.
Use this time to learn about the Community Grant Program, talk with your community about environmental and natural resource needs and opportunities, and begin identifying the people and organizations that should be part of the conversation.
Consider:
- What environmental or natural resource need or opportunity are you trying to address?
- What does your community already know about this need or opportunity?
- Who is affected?
- What change would your community like to see?
- Which eligible activity area might best fit your project idea?
- Who should be part of the conversation?
- Are there organizations or potential partners you may want to work with?
Applicant pathway
See how the Community Grant Program process will work
The Applicant Pathway shows the Community Grant Program process from exploring a funding opportunity through project implementation and closeout.
- Explore the opportunity
- Check your fit and choose a primary eligible activity area
- Submit a Stage 1 Concept Note
- Stage 1 competitive review
- If invited, develop a Stage 2 full application
- Stage 2 competitive technical review
- If contingently selected, complete preaward and grant agreement steps
- Begin the grant, implement the project, report and close out
Choosing your primary eligible activity area
A project idea may relate to more than one eligible activity area. Applicants must select one primary eligible activity area that best represents the project's main purpose. Review the RFP and the applicable activity-area appendix for the official requirements.
Choosing a project pathway helps the Community Grant Program understand the main focus of a project and review it with other projects addressing similar purposes. A project can still include activities that relate to other eligible areas.
Start with the primary purpose of your project. Consider the environmental or natural resource result the project is primarily intended to achieve and use that purpose to identify the pathway that best fits your idea.
Learn and prepare
FY2027 RFP 01 is available now. Review the funding opportunity and applicant resources before the Stage 1 portal opens December 1, 2026.
Is the Community Grant Program right for us?
Understanding the eligible activity areas
Understanding the application process
View the FY2027 funding opportunity
Stay informed
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