Grant Guidelines:
Economic Response Fund

We’ve received an overwhelming response—nearly 2,000 applications in two weeks—underscoring the great need for this funding. To distribute our limited funds quickly and efficiently, we will stop accepting new applications from small businesses on March 4 while our partners review submissions and make grant decisions.

For those who have already applied, thank you for your patience. You will be contacted directly once a funding decision has been made.

As funding allows, a second phase of grants from the Economic Response Fund may be offered in the future. Sign up to receive email updates.

—

This fund will provide short-term stabilization grants to help businesses address urgent needs caused by reduced revenue, workforce disruptions, temporary closures, or safety and security concerns. Grants are intended to support businesses over a 30- to 60-day period.

This fund is seeded by contributions from Minnesota companies and individuals and will distribute $4 million in the coming weeks.

Funding decisions will be made by seven nonprofit organizations with deep experience providing small business support in communities statewide. Grants will be made on a rolling basis until all available funds are distributed.

Funding will support small businesses in the Twin Cities and statewide, with an emphasis on communities experiencing the most significant disruptions. We recognize that the need far exceeds the resources available through this fund and will work to distribute funding equitably across business categories and affected communities.

Eligible businesses may receive grants ranging from $2,500 to $10,000, depending on demonstrated need and available funding. These funds are grants, not loans, and do not need to be repaid.

Grant funds may be used for business-related expenses, including:

• Payroll or contractor payments
• Rent or mortgage for business space
• Utilities
• Inventory replacement
• Security, repairs, or safety-related costs
• Covering short-term revenue loss
• Insurance deductibles
• Legal or translation help
• Temporary relocation

Funds may not be used for political activities or personal expenses.

These grants are designed to support small businesses that have experienced reduced customers or revenue, workforce disruptions, temporary closures, or concerns with safety and security.

Funding is available for businesses that are currently operating as well as those that are temporarily or permanently closed due to disruptions.

Small businesses with a maximum of 40 employees and a gross annual revenue of $3 million or less are eligible to apply. This funding opportunity is not open to nonprofit organizations, local governments, or individual employees applying on their own behalf.

If your business is selected for funding, you will need to provide a W-9. In addition, you will need to provide proof that your business has been operating. The organization reviewing your application may require you to submit additional documents. Click here to download a PDF with examples of documents you may be asked to provide.

You do not need to provide proof of immigration enforcement activity at your business. A clear description of how your business was affected is sufficient.

This program does NOT collect information on the immigration status of applicants and does not impact immigration status. We will not request your Social Security Number to apply. If needed, your ITIN or alternative identification will be requested.

Applications will be evaluated based on: 

• Evidence of business disruption 
• Whether the requested funds will stabilize your business 
• Reasonableness of the funding request 

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis in weekly cycles. Early submission does not guarantee funding. Decisions will typically be made within 2-3 weeks of application submission, with funds distributed as quickly as possible. 

Grant decisions will be made by the seven community organizations listed below. All seven have deep experience in small business support. These organizations, not the Minneapolis Foundation, will contact grant applicants directly to communicate funding decisions. 

• African Development Center 
• Lake Street Council 
• Latino Economic Development Center 
• LISC MN
• Neighborhood Development Center 
• PFund Foundation
• West Bank Business Association 

After the grant period, businesses will be required to submit a brief narrative report that answers the following:  

1. Is the business still open?  
2. How many jobs were retained?  
3. What are your biggest remaining challenges?   

Businesses should also retain basic records (such as receipts, invoices, or payroll logs) for up to a year that show how grant funds were used.  

Grant funds may be considered taxable income. Applicants are encouraged to consult a tax professional.

All applicants must complete an online application, which will take about 10 minutes. To get started, you will need to register in the Minneapolis Foundation’s online application portal. Once logged in, you will need to affiliate yourself with your business. To do this, select “Change Current Organization” and enter your business information.  

You can download a preview of the application to help you prepare. Community partners and navigators will be available to assist you with completing your application. 

This funding opportunity will remain open until all available funds have been distributed.

If you have questions about using the Minneapolis Foundation’s online application portal, you can review this guide or watch this video that walks you through creating an account and applying for a grant.

For additional assistance, contact a partner organization in your region: 

• African Development Center
  • Businesses owned by African immigrants and refugees statewide
  • manshur@adcminnesota.org or 612-877-8264
• Lake Street Council
  • Businesses on or near Lake Street corridor
  • Business@LakeStreetCouncil.org or 612-221-8545
• Latino Economic Development Center
  • Latino-owned businesses statewide
  • MplsEmergencyFund@ledcmn.org or 612-724-5332
• Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC MN)
  • Businesses statewide
  • MNEconomicResponseFund@lisc.org
• Neighborhood Development Center
  • Twin Cities metro area
  • ndcemergencyrelief@ndc-mn.org or 651-379-8103
• PFund Foundation
  • LGBTQ+-owned businesses statewide
  • Mercedes@pfundfoundation.org or 612-870-1806
• West Bank Business Association
  • Businesses in the West Bank neighborhood of Minneapolis
  • info@thewestbank.org or 612-293-8265