Every fall and spring, the Linden Hills Neighborhood Council awards grants of up to $1000 to people, projects and programs that make Linden Hills a better place to live and work. The grants are funded through the annual Taste of Linden Hills.

HOW IT WORKS

WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO APPLY

The Council prefers to make grants to tax exempt, nonprofit organizations. However, we recognize that some projects may not be associated with a formal nonprofit organization and thus will consider proposals from neighborhood groups that can show appropriate administration and public accountability for the grant, and those that otherwise meet the guidelines. Units of government may apply for funding for specific projects, but not for activities that are traditional responsibilities of the government.

WHAT WE FUND

Grants from the council under these guidelines will be for specific projects only. The council will not make grants for planning, operating, or capital expenses. Please also note that grants from the council cannot be used to promote religious or partisan political purposes. Grants are typically less than $1,000, but there are no firm rules about grant allocations.

WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR

The level of the council’s support will depend partly on an applicant’s commitment to and practice of the following principles:

How does the organization relate to or affect Linden Hills? The council makes grants to organizations in Linden Hills, or to those that predominantly serve Linden Hills.
How will this project/organization improve the neighborhood? What community need(s) does it fulfill?
What type of lasting impact would this project have on the community?
How will this project engage and involve the community?
How will this project impact and/or engage diverse (racial, economic, age, housing status, etc) members of the community? Does it promote equity?
Would a LHiNC grant make a significant difference in the success of the project? What are the opportunities for additional funding from other sources?

TIMELINES & REVIEW PROCESS

Proposals will be reviewed initially by members of the LHiNC finance committee, who will make a recommendation to the full council for final decision. The council reserves the right to reject proposals even if the finance committee recommended the proposal for approval.

The finance committee (and council) will review proposals in the spring.

Applications must be postmarked by March 15.
Finance committee will review proposals by March 30.
Full council review by first Tuesday in April.
Notice provided or sent by first Wednesday in April.

HOW TO APPLY

Create a grant proposal (there is no application form). Proposals should be typed and not exceed five pages in length (excluding financial information). Proposals should include the following information:

Organization mission, history, and connection to Linden Hills
Description of project goals, history
Explanation of how the project relates to council’s principles (“What we are looking for”)
Answers to LHiNC’s Equity Audit Questions: 1) How will this project improve the racial and socioeconomic equity in the neighborhood and/or city?; 2) Who benefits from this project?; and 3) Who will be burdened by this project?
Organizational (annual budget), including income and expenses
Project budget, including income and expenses
Other sources of support for the project (either received or pending)
Evaluation plans, if applicable
Copy of 501(c)(3) letter if the application is from a tax exempt, nonprofit organization.

Submit one copy via email to info@lindenhills.org and one copy by U.S. mail to:

Linden Hills Neighborhood Council
Attention: Treasurer
P.O. Box 24049
Minneapolis, MN 55424

PAST GRANT WINNERS

See the list of past grant winners.

Fall colors on walking path at Lake Harriet

Photo courtesy of Steve Mosborg

Photo courtesy of Steve Mosborg

NEED HELP?

Please contact us if you have any questions.