Hennepin County Youth Activities Grants

Hennepin County has partnered with the USA Swimming Foundation to offer grant funding to local swim lessons providers to remove barriers to swim lessons and water safety classes for metro-area children. The goal of the program is to promote water safety and reducing drowning disparities. Youth Learn to Swim Grants may be used by the swim lesson program to offer free or low-cost swimming lessons and/or support transportation to the swim lesson locations.

Application

• The next round of learn to swim grants will be available mid-October to mid-December
• Awards will be announced in the spring of next year
• Questions: Youth Learn to Swim Grants Q&A

Who can apply

Interested applicants must be an approved provider within the Swim Lesson Provider Network prior to December 1.

Funding available

The minimum grant award is $1000.

Additional Info

Additional grant opportunities are available through State of Minnesota Water Safety Grants

The intent of the lifeguard services grant is to expand and improve lifeguard services in Hennepin County and increase the number of lifeguards available for employment in Hennepin County. This grant seeks applications that provide creative, innovative, and sustainable solutions to the lifeguarding shortage.

Application

• Applications are due by April 7, 2023 at 4 p.m.
• Awards are anticipated in June 2023.
• Formal questions must be submitted by March 30. Please contact anna.carpenter@hennepin.us
• Apply here
  • You will need to create an account with the Hennepin County Supplier Portal. For assistance with the Supplier Portal please visit the Help page.

Who can apply

Applicants must be Local Government Units (LGUs).  LGUs are defined as governmental entities. For the purposes of this grant, eligible LGUs are park systems, cities, public school districts and watershed districts located or operating in Hennepin County. Charter schools and youth sports associations must enlist a local government unit to submit an application.

Funding available

Grants up to $165,000 are available for the three-year period from summer 2023 through winter 2025.

The Hennepin Youth Sports Program awards facility grants to municipalities, park districts or school districts to create, expand or improve athletic or recreational facilities to enhance opportunities for youth participation in Hennepin County.

There are two rounds of grants annually:

• Spring: Equipment and playground grants – application period in the spring with awards announced in the summer
• Fall: Equipment and facilities grants– application period in the fall with awards announced in the winter/spring of the following year.

Application

• The next round of facilities and equipment grants will open in the fall.
• Awards anticipated in winter/spring of next year.
• Apply here

Who can apply

Applicants must be Local Government Units (LGUs).  LGUs are defined as governmental entities. For the purposes of this grant, eligible LGUs are park systems, cities, public school districts and watershed districts located or operating in Hennepin County. Charter schools and youth sports associations must enlist a local government unit to submit an application.

Funding available

Grants up to $10,000 are available for equipment.  Grants up to $50,000 are available for playground projects. Grants up to $300,000 are available for sport facility projects.

Grant Administrator

Sports grants are administered by the Minnesota Amateur Sports Commission. If you have questions or issues regarding the application, you can contact MASC at Grants@Mnsports.org or by phone at 763-717-3238.

Additional Info

Additional grant opportunities are available through the Twins Community Fund. 

This grant program aims to support youth art and music programming and education in communities across Hennepin County.

Application

• Application dates: May 3 – June 7, 2023
• Awards anticipated: Fall 2023
• Questions: youth.grants@hennepin.us or 612-348-8263
• Apply here
  • You will need to create an account with the Hennepin County Supplier Portal. For assistance with the Supplier Portal please visit the Help page.

Who can apply

Applicants must be Local Government Units (LGUs).  LGUs are defined as governmental entities. For the purposes of this grant, eligible LGUs are park systems, cities, public school districts and watershed districts located or operating in Hennepin County. Charter schools and youth sports associations must enlist a local government unit to submit an application.

Funding available

Grants up to $25,000 are available. A total of $250,000 has been allocated for 2023.

Pre-Proposal Conference

For those who are interested in learning more about the grant and the application process, a pre-proposal conference will be held via Microsoft Teams on Thursday May 11, 2023 at 1:00 p.m.

Click here to join the meeting.

Grant awards will not be announced on this page. If you recently applied for one of the Hennepin County Youth Activities Grants, you will be contacted directly by the grant administrator with you award decision. 

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

View the Youth Activities Grant map 

Guidelines for facility or playground awards

The following information pertains to Youth Sports facility and playground awards. It does not pertain to equipment awards. 

Signage requirement

You must include recognition of the Hennepin County Youth Sports program on your facility signage.

• Option 1: If you are developing a sign, include the Hennepin County Youth Sports logo. Contact Nicole Leon at nicole.leon@hennepin.us for the art file.
• Option 2: Have a Hennepin County Youth Sports pennant sign mailed to you. Contact Nicole Leon at nicole.leon@hennepin.us for shipment. 

Notify Hennepin County of grant opening event 

Contact Nicole Leon at nicole.hovatter@hennepin.us.

If you are hosting a grand opening event, Hennepin County may attend and take photos.

Hennepin County is available to consult with you on event planning and communications. Below are options to consider if you are planning a grand opening event:

• Involve appropriate county commissioners to participate or speak
• Send a news release
• Share the information on your website
• Share via social media
• Include the award in email, newsletters or mailers
• Announce the award at a public meeting
• Reach out to local cable channels or newspapers