The Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund (ENRTF) Community Grant Program is a new grant funding opportunity currently in development. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources will manage the Community Grant Program and created this webpage to keep the public informed about progress toward full implementation.
Program update
Now available: DNR report to the legislature on program implementation plan
The DNR has submitted the “Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund Community Grant Program Report” to the Minnesota State Legislature, as directed by statute (Minn. Laws 2025 First Special Session, chapter 1, article 3, section 3).
A link to the report and its appendices can be found at Legislative reports | Minnesota DNR. Please note that the draft Requests for Proposal attached to the report are subject to change before official publication.
Resources
To stay updated on the ENRTF Community Grant Program, please subscribe to our email notification list.
- For information about other DNR grant funding opportunities, please visit Grants | Minnesota DNR
- For information about other DNR advisory groups and task forces, please visit Advisory groups | Minnesota DNR
Program summary
Funded by the Environment and Natural Resources Fund, the Community Grant Program will support projects for the public purpose of protection, conservation, preservation and enhancement of the state's air, water, land, fish, wildlife and other natural resources.
The program will increase the number and diversity of grant recipients who receive ENRTF funding, especially in communities that have been adversely affected by pollution and environmental degradation. Grant awards will benefit communities and residents in all regions of our state.
An ENRTF Community Grant Program advisory council will review program elements and recommend any program changes to the DNR commissioner and the legislature Minn. Statutes, chapter 116X.05. Advisory council members will be chosen through an open application process. The advisory council will review program elements and recommend changes to the Minnesota Legislature and DNR commissioner.
Background on the ENRTF Community Grant Program
Since 1988, a voter-approved amendment to the Minnesota State Constitution has dedicated state lottery proceeds to the ENRTF (Minn. Const. art. XI, sec. 14).
The purpose of the ENRTF is to provide a long-term, consistent, and stable source of funding for activities that protect, conserve, preserve, and enhance Minnesota's "air, water, land, fish, wildlife, and other natural resources" for the benefit of current citizens and future generations.
The ENRTF Community Grant Program was established in statute during the 2023 Minnesota Legislative Session (Minn. Statutes, chapter 116X).
During the 2025 session, lawmakers appropriated just over $28 million from the ENRTF to the DNR for the Community Grants Program. That funding is available until June 30, 2029.
- Minn. Laws 2025 First Special Session, chapter 1, article 3, section 3 directed the DNR to submit a report to the legislature by December 15, 2025, focused on DNR plans to implement the program. That report was submitted on December 12, 2025.