Sudden Opportunity Grant
for Individuals and Organizations
Maximum Award: $500
Open Now!
Rolling Deadline*
Open until funds are exhausted
Application is open to artists and culture bearers living in the Minnesota counties of Becker, Beltrami, Cass, Clearwater, Hubbard, Itasca, Lake of the Woods, Mahnomen, or Roseau or small organizations that perform or do music, theater, and/or other arts programming and are located in the Minnesota counties of Beltrami, Hubbard, Clearwater, Lake of the Woods, or Mahnomen.
*This grant program has a rolling deadline so we can respond quickly to fund your short-term and/or time sensitive opportunities. Your application will be processed as soon as you submit it and forwarded on to our Grants Committee. Applications will be reviewed within two weeks of submission and you will receive notification of approval or denial after this period.
The Sudden Opportunity Grant is designed to support individuals and small organizations. The program offers grants of up to $500, based on a submitted cost estimate, to cover expenses related to essential travel, training, transportation, and project-related supplies. The goal is to provide support for creative people and projects that is available quickly, to respond to dynamic circumstances.
Applications will be evaluated based on the following:
• Urgency of the Request: The importance and timeliness of the funding request.
• First-Come, First-Served: Grants will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis until funds are exhausted.
• Eligibility
To be eligible for a Sudden Opportunity Grant, applicants must meet the following requirements:
Geographic Location: Applicants must be based in Mahnomen, Hubbard, Beltrami, Clearwater or Lake of the Woods Counties; or, artists and culture bearers who are enrolled tribal members or descendants living in the Minnesota counties of Becker, Beltrami, Cass, Clearwater, Hubbard, Itasca, Lake of the Woods, Mahnomen, and Roseau.
Project Type: Eligible projects may include:
Travel and transportation costs for individuals or small groups (within Minnesota)
Repair equipment used in artistic, culture-bearing activities. (Schools, Colleges, Universities, and Community Education programs are not eligible for this type of funding according to state regulations)
Supplies needed for a project, excluding equipment (Exhaustible supplies such as materials or consumables are allowed.)
educational opportunities in arts or culture-bearing activities (excluding academic/college credit) such as classes, demonstrations, or workshops.
marketing your creative work
Ineligible Applicants:
Individuals seeking funding for personal vehicle repairs.
Applicants who have received this grant within the last year.
Large organizations (Organizations averaging expenses over $174,000 per annum).
Other Requirements:
Applicants must demonstrate a clear, defined need for funding related to travel/transportation or essential project supplies.
Review and Approval Process:
• Application Review: Applications will be reviewed by the Grants Committee, which may include consultation with the Executive Director (ED) as needed.
• Decision Timeline: Applications will be reviewed within two weeks of submission. Applicants will receive notification of approval or denial after this period.
• Notification: Successful applicants will receive an official grant award letter, outlining the funding amount, any specific conditions, and reporting requirements.
Reporting Requirements:
Grantees must submit a final report upon completion of their project, which includes:
• Use of Funds: A breakdown of how grant funds were spent (including receipts)
• Venue Data: Address of where the activity took place.
Reports are due within 45 days of the project end date. Failure to submit a report may affect eligibility for future funding opportunities.
Sample Application Form for download
Sudden Opportunity Grant Application
(Sample only – cannot be submitted – only online submissions are accepted)
