Arts & Culture Grants

The Twin Cities Arts & Culture Grant, administered by the Best Buy Foundation, is a general operating support grant aimed at enhancing the cultural life and vitality of the Twin Cities' seven-county metropolitan area. The foundation seeks to fund arts and cultural organizations that are rooted in and serve this region. The grant supports organizations engaged in the creation, production, presentation, preservation, or exhibition of the arts and culture, particularly those that contribute meaningfully to disinvested communities. The overall intent is to support sustainable institutions with a demonstrated history of service, financial stewardship, and robust community outreach. Eligible applicants must be a qualified 501(c)(3) nonprofit or tax-exempt public charity with a valid IRS Tax ID and a National Taxonomy of Exempt Entities (NTEE) code within Arts, Culture, and Humanities. The organization must be physically based in the Twin Cities seven-county metro area and actively provide programming within that geographic scope. It should have a track record of at least two years of public programming and established outreach efforts aimed at reducing barriers to participation by disinvested communities. Site visits by the Best Buy Foundation staff and committee are also a part of the grant's evaluation process. Applicants deemed ineligible include regranting organizations, individuals, and organizations focused on religious, political, or athletic purposes, as well as those seeking funds exclusively for supplies or product donations. The grant also does not support endowments, award ceremonies, travel, or health and recreation programs. Required application materials include the organization’s annual budget and a non-discrimination policy. Optional materials include a strategic plan, documentation of recent programming, and audited financial statements. The application must be submitted online via the CyberGrants portal. New applicants must create an account, while returning applicants can log in with existing credentials. Registration through CyberGrants FrontDoor includes a verification period of 5–7 business days. Applications are evaluated based on community and audience impact, operational strength, financial health, and engagement strategies. Reviewers consider factors such as demographics served, community engagement, staff diversity, and strategic planning. The application portal opens on December 1, 2024, and closes at 5:00 PM CST on February 1, 2025. Notifications of awards will be issued no later than April 30, 2025. Grant awards range from a minimum of $5,000 to a typical median of $10,000 and are intended to support one year of operations. Recipients must submit an impact report after one year to remain eligible for future funding. All questions and support requests can be directed to [email protected].