MINNEAPOLIMEDIA NEWS | Minnesota Housing Offers Up to $2 Million for Organizations Developing Community Housing Solutions

SAINT PAUL, MN (October 20, 2026). Minnesota Housing has opened a competitive funding opportunity intended to strengthen organizations working on housing challenges, with grants of up to $100,000 and an initial application deadline of December 10.

The 2026 Capacity Building Program has up to $2 million available. Awards would cover a two-year grant period, although the agency says it is not obligated to distribute the full amount.

An online information session is scheduled for Monday, October 26, from 11 a.m. to noon Central time. The agency plans to post the recording and materials afterward.

The opportunity is aimed at organizations and partnerships developing the knowledge, relationships and systems needed to address housing gaps.

Eligible applicants include qualifying 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations, Tribal governments and Tribal business entities. Applicants generally must have operated for at least one calendar year by the deadline. Nonprofits must maintain active registration and good standing with the Minnesota Secretary of State.

The program has two approaches. Organizational capacity grants help an applicant strengthen its own housing work. Intermediary grants support organizations that help others through technical assistance, training or subgrants.

Examples include testing housing strategies, developing partnerships, strengthening community participation and helping organizations gain the skills needed to engage in housing planning.

The eligibility rules are specific. The program excludes housing construction and predevelopment costs, direct rental assistance, direct client services, building operations, and shelter planning or services. A proposal addressing a housing need must still fit the program’s permitted activities.

Minnesota Housing released the request for proposals October 16 and scheduled its State Register posting for October 19. Applications proceed through two phases. Initial submissions are due at noon Central time December 10, with finalists expected to receive invitations for the second phase around January 6, 2027.

The application instructions identify June 2027 as the anticipated selection period, with contracting and due diligence steps following. The agency cautions that its schedule is subject to change.

For Minneapolis, Saint Paul and North Metro organizations considering an application, the immediate work is to identify an eligible project, define its intended results and determine whether the organization can meet the application and reporting requirements.

Registration and application materials are available on the Minnesota Housing Capacity Building page.

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