I perused the list of grants from the recent Minnesota Rural Partners Roundup. I didn’t dig in too deep but the following looked like they might be potential resources…

Bush Foundation offers two opportunities to help your organization move toward innovation:

• 2015 Community Innovation Grants — support for community problem-solving processes that lead to more effective, equitable and sustainable solutions — applications accepted through October 9.
• Community Creativity Cohort — a one-time program designed to both recognize and learn from exemplary organizations that meaningfully engage people in the arts and integrate the arts into public life. The Community Creativity Cohort will inform the Foundation’s future work in the arts. Applications accepted through October 16.– Verizon Foundation Grants
 
Awards grants to nonprofit organizations that use innovate technologies to reduce health disparities for women, children, and seniors. Also funds STEM education and energy projects. Application deadline: Oct 10, 2014.Rural Entrepreneurship Challenge -Win $15,000.00 – enter today!
• Are you a school, city, township, or county that has been innovating to improve services or reduce the cost of local government? Share your innovation for a chance to win $5,000 and a professional video highlighting your effort!
The Local Government Innovation Awards recognizes the creative ways counties, cities, townships, and schools are making Minnesota better and doing things differently.
• USDA is offering grants to nonprofits through the Rural Community Development Initiative (RCDI) which provides financial and technical assistance to recipients in developing their capacity and ability to undertake projects related to housing, community facilities, or community and economic development. DEADLINE: 11/12/2014. Click here for application guidelines.  http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/had-rcdi_grants.html
• The first national business competition focused exclusively on rural entrepreneurs, the Farm Bureau Rural Entrepreneurship Challenge is the marquee event of the Rural Entrepreneurship Initiative. Booming interest in entrepreneurship has led many people to think that entrepreneurship is synonymous with Silicon Valley. This Challenge instead highlights entrepreneurship and innovation from the heartland of Rural America. What is the Challenge? Link to Website for more information If you live in a nonmetro county this message is for you! Your business does not have to be ag related! http://www.strongruralamerica.com/challenge/eligibility/