The People for Parks Fund exists to advance under-supported projects and programs in Minneapolis parks and to serve as the catalyst for connecting community-driven ideas and funding that nurture stewardship, community, and enjoyment of Minneapolis parks.
2023 People for Parks Fund Grants
Are you a community member or group with a great idea for improving parks for your neighborhood? Then you’re invited to apply for a People for Parks Fund grant! This year, the People for Parks Fund Advisory Committee authorized $55,000 in funds for equity-aligned projects and programs.
Now through March 24, 2023, we’re accepting applications for activities taking place in Minneapolis parks from June 1, 2023, to May 31, 2024. Most grants will be between $1,000 and $10,000 and recipients will be notified in May 2023.
How to Apply
Review our grantmaking policies and criteria and submit your application – links to the forms are below, by March 24, 2023.
2023 Grantmaking Policies & Criteria (pdf)
| English | Español | Soomaali |
| Grant Application | Solicitud de subvención | Codsiga Deeqda |
| FAQs | Preguntas frecuentes | Su’aalaha inta badan la weydiyo |
Questions & Application Support
Email Christine at Give@MplsParksFoundation.org
Grants in 2021 and 2022
Since introducing the program in 2021, we’ve granted over $80,000 for 15 projects and activities, including youth swimming and snowboarding lessons, bird watching for BIPOC adults, Slow Roll community bike rides, and Afro Cardio/Yoga classes, and much more.
Grantees have included:
- Armatage Neighborhood Association
- Cultural Wellness Center
- Heritage Youth Sports Foundation/Twin Cities Sol Futsol Academy
- Friends of the Boundary Waters Wilderness
- Friends of Lake Nokomis
- Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board
- Minneapolis Sailing Center
- The Loppet Foundation
- Urban Bird Collective.
To read stories and see more photos from these grantees, please visit our blog Common Ground.
About the People for Parks Fund
Created in 2020 with the consolidation of the Minneapolis Parks Foundation and People for Parks, the People for Parks Fund carries forward a 42-year legacy of grassroots support for Minneapolis parks through a grants program and fundraising events.
Advisory Committee
The People for Parks Fund Advisory Committee recommends and guides the annual process for setting grant priorities, a timeline for seeking proposals, distributing grants, methods for tracking results, and capturing stories about the impact of each grant. The Advisory Committee also works with volunteers to produce Fund-supporting events.
Current Advisory Committee Members
Jasmine Russell – Committee Chair
Matt Bourque
Jay Halvorson
Jennifer Herman Spiller
Judy Hohmann
Miluska Novota
Dan Peterson
Jean Sazevich
Marsha Yang
Fundraising Activities
Proceeds from the Fund’s signature fundraising event and bench and paver sales help support the grants program.
Posters for Parks Show
The show is a free and family-friendly event that features limited-edition posters created by local artists and designers, inspired by Minneapolis’ award-winning park system. Posters for Parks is a joint venture with LoveMplsParks.org, and in 2021 it raised a record $36,000 for the PFP Fund and local artists.
Bench and Paver Sales
Proceeds from the sale of benches at Lake Harriet and pavers at Lake Harriet and Bde Maka Ska support the People for Parks Fund.
History of People for Parks
Founded in 1977, People for Parks identified and directed $2.5 million to Minneapolis parks through grant making, fundraising events, and fiscal agency during its 42-year history. Its work originated with Dutch elm disease and grew to include support for the Lake Harriet Band Shell rehabilitation, Wabun universal access play area (the first of its kind in Minneapolis), and the nature playscape at North Mississippi Regional Park. In 2020, People for Parks consolidated with the Minneapolis Parks Foundation.
People for Parks History (pdf)
