Overview – Community impact grant
Transition to “Community Impact Grant”
In our ongoing mission to effectively address the needs of our community, we have recognized an opportunity to better reflect the essence and outcomes of our grant program. Hence, we have renamed our grant program to “Community Impact Grant.” This name change is driven by the following considerations:
- Clarifying Purpose: The term “Community Impact” explicitly communicates our focus on generating positive, measurable changes within the community. It aligns with our goal of funding initiatives that deliver tangible benefits to residents and foster overall community development.
- Transparency and Accountability: By emphasizing “impact,” we underscore our commitment to accountability and results. It sets a clear expectation for applicants regarding the outcomes we aim to achieve and the metrics we will use to evaluate success.
- Strategic Alignment: This renaming aligns with our broader strategic objectives, reinforcing our identity as an organization dedicated to community improvement. It complements our other initiatives and programs that share a common goal of creating a lasting, positive impact.
Grant Focus
At Open Your Heart, our guiding principle is to give where the need is greatest. The Community Impact Grant, formerly the Hunger and Homeless Grant, is targeted toward organizations serving adults, families and youth experiencing housing and food insecurity throughout Minnesota. The primary goal is to ensure that these providers of crisis services have the tools, equipment and infrastructure necessary to best serve those in need. Preference is given to agencies that provide services for people who are currently unhoused – on the street or in shelters.
Who is Eligible: Agencies must serve food and housing insecure Minnesotans as the agency’s primary function. Agencies must have 501(c)3 status OR be recognized as tax exempt by the IRS (i.e. schools, units of government or tribal governments) OR use a fiscal agent with 501(c)3 status.
Agencies are eligible to apply for one Community Impact Grant per year. Grant closures from previous awards must be submitted before reapplying.
2025 Due Dates:
Friday, February 28, at 4:00 PM – Application open Monday, February 03
Friday, May 30, at 4:00 PM – Application open Monday, May 05
Friday, August 29, at 4:00 PM – Application open Monday, August 04
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Average Grant Size: $7,000
*To view your organization’s applications submitted in 2024, please click HERE.
*To view your organization’s applications submitted prior to year 2024, please click HERE.
PLEASE NOTE – Beginning in 2024, Open Your Heart is using a new grant portal. Even if you have submitted an application in the past, you will need to create a new profile, including username and password, when submitting an application.
Closing Your Grant
Your agency agrees to follow OYH requirements for closing out its grant by submitting your application. By completing the closure form, your agency is assuring OYH that your organization has spent the grant funds in accordance with your original request. The form must be completed and unused funds must be sent to OYH within 45 days of the grant’s use to be in compliance with OYH grant requirements. Directions on how to complete this form will be emailed to you. Your agency must complete this form to be eligible for future funding from OYH.
You can access your grant closure form by logging into the same grant portal that you used to apply for the grant and clicking on the grant that you want to complete the closure form for. Here you will see your closure form with options to view or edit it.
Need technical Assistance?
For technical assistance, email [email protected]. For questions regarding priorities, the grant process, etc., please email [email protected] or call 612-338-5577.