Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund Legacy Grant

The East Central Regional Arts Council (ECRAC) administers the Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund (ACHF) Legacy Grant for Organizations as part of Minnesota’s 25-year Clean Water, Land, and Legacy Amendment. This initiative allocates a portion of the state's sales tax to support arts and cultural projects. ECRAC’s mission is to support artistic growth and ensure the availability of diverse, high-quality arts experiences in Region 7E, which includes Chisago, Isanti, Kanabec, Mille Lacs, and Pine counties, as well as the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe lands. The Legacy Grant aims to fund projects that fall into three primary categories: Arts and Arts Access, Arts Education, and Arts and Cultural Heritage. Eligible projects must be public-facing, focus on artistic merit and community engagement, and demonstrate clear outcomes such as increased accessibility to the arts or preservation of cultural traditions. Grant funds may be used for artist fees, supplies, equipment rental, marketing, and other direct project costs. Equipment purchases require additional documentation, including a use plan and, if applicable, fiscal sponsor agreements. Eligible applicants include Minnesota-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations, public agencies, schools, tribal governments, and community groups working with a qualified fiscal sponsor. Applicants must serve Region 7E residents and demonstrate the ability to execute a successful arts project. All applications must include an organization budget, artist résumés, a budget breakdown, outcome evaluation plan, and proof of accessibility for the public. The grant provides awards between $5,000 and $20,000. A 10% cash match is required for all projects. In-kind contributions, while encouraged, cannot count toward this match. Projects must not begin before the earliest allowable start date and cannot include pre-award expenses. All promotional materials for funded projects must acknowledge ECRAC and the ACHF using approved logos and credit lines. Applications are submitted online at www.ecrac.org/grants and must be completed by 11:59 p.m. on the listed deadline. For FY 2025, the first round deadline is October 1, 2024, with technical assistance available until September 20. Grants are reviewed approximately two to three months post-deadline. Applicants may contact ECRAC at [email protected] or 320-336-0200 for help. Reviewing past funded projects and attending information sessions is highly encouraged. Grantees must complete a final report within 60 days of project completion, documenting use of funds and outcomes. ECRAC may require interim reports or mid-project reviews. Projects must meet compliance requirements, including adherence to accessibility standards and restrictions on religious and political content. Detailed program guidelines, eligibility standards, and tutorials are available on the ECRAC website.

Attend info sessions, contact staff early, follow guidelines exactly, use online portal only