Hennepin County Youth Activities Grants

Swim Lesson grants support opportunities to promote youth water safety, remove barriers to youth swim lessons, and reduce youth drowning disparities. Hennepin County partners with USA Swimming Foundation to offer grant funding to local swim lesson providers. Swim Lesson grant funds may be used by the swim lesson program to offer free or low-cost youth swim lessons and/or support transportation to swim lesson locations.

Funding available

Information on available funding will be communicated by USA Swimming Foundation.

Who can apply

Interested applicants must be an approved provider within the Swim Lesson Provider Network. Programming must be provided to communities located within Hennepin County.

Application

Applications for Youth Learn to Swim Grants are accepted by USA Swimming Foundation. Visit USA Swimming Foundation website for additional information.

Lifeguard Services grants support youth lifeguard services by funding creative, innovative, and sustainable solutions to the youth lifeguard shortage.

Funding available

Information on available funding for the next round of Lifeguard Services grants will be announced in late Summer 2025 or early 2026.

Who can apply

Applicants must be Local Government Units (LGUs) within Hennepin County LGUs are defined as governmental entities. For the purposes of this grant, eligible LGUs are municipal districts, park districts, public school districts, and watershed districts located or operating in Hennepin County. Community organizations, charter schools, and youth sports organizations must enlist a local government unit to submit an application on their behalf. School departments, community education programs, and other subsidiaries of school districts need to apply through the school district and not as a separate entity.

Play Area grants support opportunities for youth participation in sports and play by creating, expanding, and improving youth athletic facilities, recreational facilities, playgrounds, and other play spaces.

Funding available

Grants up to $100,000 are typically available for playground, place space, and other non-traditional play area projects. Grants up to $300,000 are typically available for athletic and recreational facility projects. Information on available funding for the next round of Play Area grants will be announced in late Summer 2025.

Who can apply

Applicants must be Local Government Units (LGUs) within Hennepin County LGUs are defined as governmental entities. For the purposes of this grant, eligible LGUs are defined as municipal districts, park districts, public school districts, and watershed districts located or operating in Hennepin County. Community organizations, charter schools, and youth sports organizations must enlist a local government unit to submit an application on their behalf. School departments, community education programs, and other subsidiaries of school districts need to apply through the school district and not as a separate entity.

Equipment grants support opportunities for youth to participate in sports and other recreational activities by providing funding to purchase sports equipment.

Funding available

Grants awards up to $10,000 are available. 

Who can apply

Applicants must be Local Government Units (LGUs) within Hennepin County LGUs are defined as governmental entities. For the purposes of this grant, eligible LGUs are municipal districts, park districts, public school districts, and watershed districts located or operating in Hennepin County. Community organizations, charter schools, and youth sports organizations must enlist a local government unit to submit an application on their behalf. School departments, community education programs, and other subsidiaries of school districts need to apply through the school district and not as a separate entity.

Application

Applications for the Spring 2025 grant cycle are available February 3 – March 31, 2025 at 4:00 PM

RFAs are posted on the Hennepin County Supplier Portal.

Pre-application conference

The pre-application conference was held on February 19, 2025. Presentation slides can be viewed at the link below. 

Spring 2025 Pre-application conference (PDF, 1MB)

Arts and Music grants support opportunities for youth to participate in arts and music programming and education.

Funding available

Grants awards up to $25,000 are available.

Who can apply

Applicants must be Local Government Units (LGUs) within Hennepin County LGUs are defined as governmental entities. For the purposes of this grant, eligible LGUs are municipal districts, park districts, public school districts, and watershed districts located or operating in Hennepin County. Community organizations, charter schools, and youth sports organizations must enlist a local government unit to submit an application on their behalf. School departments, community education programs, and other subsidiaries of school districts need to apply through the school district and not as a separate entity.

Application

Applications for the Spring 2025 grant cycle are available February 3 – March 31, 2025 at 4:00 PM

RFAs are posted on the Hennepin County Supplier Portal.

Pre-application conference

The pre-application conference was held on February 19, 2025. Presentation slides can be viewed at the link below. 

Spring 2025 Pre-application conference (PDF, 1MB)

Grant awards will not be announced on this page. If you recently applied for an open grant opportunity, you will be contacted directly by program staff with your award decision. 

Updated grant recipient list and map coming soon. Contact youth.grants@hennepin.us with questions or information requests.