Local Grants for Native Plantings

November 11, 2024

If you are thinking about installing a native planting, rain garden, or other project for pollinators and clean water, late fall is a great time to plan. As part of planning, consider searching for grant opportunities for your project. All Minnesotans are eligible to apply for Lawns to Legumes, a $400 reimbursement-based grant for pollinator habitat. (Applications for Spring 2025 grants close on November 30, 2024.) But there may also be local funding available to you. 

For many local grants, information and applications for 2025 funding opportunities are open now or will be available soon. Below, we compiled a list of local grant opportunities from Blue Thumb partners and others — for example, soil and water conservation and watershed districts are a great source of individual grant opportunities.

Working on a native planting project through your local SWCD or watershed district offers many benefits. Grant amounts from local agencies are typically higher than the Lawns to Legumes program. SWCD and watershed district staff are also knowledgeable about project challenges and strategies specific to your area, and may offer free site visits and personalized support for your project.

Additionally, some Minnesota SWCDs host native tree and shrub sales each spring, along with helpful resources for getting your trees in the ground. Some have native garden kits available to order. So while you are looking through seed catalogs and dreaming of spring, don’t forget to check out your local SWCD website!

Keep in mind that the list of funding opportunities below is not exhaustive. Refer to organization websites for full grant information. If you don’t see your county here, find out your SWCD and visit their website. To see grant opportunities from Blue Thumb partners, visit our Partner Grants page.

Minnesota Grants for Native Plantings (in alphabetical order)

Blue Earth Soil and Water Conservation District

Geographical Region: Blue Earth County (Mankato area)

    • Landowners can request financial and technical assistance for the implementation of approved conservation practices that protect and improve water quality by controlling soil erosion and reducing sedimentation.
    • This program provides up to 75 percent or a flat rate of the total eligible costs of a practice.

 

Carver County Water Management Organization

Geographical Region: Carver County

  • Improving Water Quality Program 
      • This program provides financial assistance for projects that protect and restore the lakes and streams. Common projects include rain gardens, shoreline restorations, native plantings, water retention and water reuse systems and more.
      • The program will cover 75% of eligible costs up to a maximum reimbursement of $5000.
      • Applications are accepted year round for review and will be prioritized by the date the application was received.
  • Pollinator Conservation Program 
      • This program offers funding to convert landscapes into pollinator habitat.
      • Private landowners can receive a maximum of $2,000 (or $1 per square foot) for projects at least 250 square feet in size.
      • Applications are accepted on a seasonal basis.
  • Shoreline Habitat Program 
    • This program offers cost share funding to help you convert your monoculture turf shoreline to a beautiful native habitat.
    • Private landowners can receive a maximum of $2,500 (or $2 per square foot of new habitat) for projects at least 250 square feet in size and minimum 10’ buffer width.

 

Cass County Soil & Water Conservation District

Geographical region: Cass County

    • Cost-sharing dollars are available to Cass County landowners for a variety of conservation projects, including Private Forest Management Plans, Shoreland/Pollinator habitat improvement, and Stormwater/Erosion control. 
    • There is also funding available on a watershed basis through the Leech Lake River and Pine River watersheds.
    • Eligible practices must meet technical specifications and be maintained by the landowner for a minimum effective life of 10 years. 

 

Chippewa County Soil & Water Conservation District

Geographical region: Chippewa County (Montevideo, MN area)

    • A variety of cost-share programs are available to help landowners pay for installing best management conservation practices. SWCD staff work with landowners to access funding through federal, state and local programs. See website for a list of commonly approved cost share practices.

 

Dakota County Soil & Water Conservation District

Geographical region: Dakota County

    • Dakota County residents who complete the Introduction to Clean Water class and the Design Course can apply for a $250 grant towards the installation of their garden project (paid upon completion). The grant award includes on-site visits and technical assistance. This program can be used to fund smaller school and church gardens, as well as single and multi-residential properties.
    • Dakota County residency is not required to participate in the classes and workshops; however, grants are only available for Dakota County residents and Ramsey County residents within the Lower Mississippi River Watershed which includes the west side of the City of Saint Paul. Sign up to be notified when classes open here.

 

Hennepin County

Geographical region: Hennepin County

    • Good Steward Grants are primarily for smaller projects that improve water quality, enhance natural areas and promote environmental stewardship to the community. A typical grant amount is $10,000 to $20,000, with a maximum amount of $25,000.
    • All landowners are eligible to apply, including individuals, nonprofit and non-governmental organizations, local government agencies, and businesses.
    • Typical projects include constructing rain gardens, stabilizing stream banks, restoring native vegetation, installing vegetated filter strips or implementing other best management projects.
    • Applications for Good Steward Grants will be accepted starting November 5, 2024.
    • Hennepin County also offers Opportunity Grants for larger projects seeking to leverage multiple funding sources with grant amounts ranging from $25,000-$50,000.
  • Visit Hennepin County’s website for more information on funding for rural and agricultural landowners.

 

City of Minneapolis

    • You can reduce your stormwater utility fee by up to 45% if you live in a Minneapolis Green Zone, up to 35% if you live outside a Green Zone.
    • You are eligible for quality stormwater credits if you install a rain garden, pervious pavement, green roof, or stormwater reuse (rain barrels are not eligible) according to Best Management Practices (BMPs). Practices must be implemented on your property, not in the right-of-way, and treat stormwater runoff from impervious areas on your own property.

 

Mississippi Watershed Management Organization

Geographical region: Twin Cities metro area including Columbia Heights, Fridley, Hilltop, Lauderdale, Minneapolis, St. Anthony Village and St. Paul. See range map here.

    • Community Grants are available for short-term or small-scale water quality projects. The grant amount may not exceed $5,000. No matching funds are required.
    • Eligible applicants include nonprofits, officially recognized neighborhood groups, business and professional associations, schools, and local units of government.
    • Deadline: Friday, December 13, 2024, by 4:30 p.m. Applicants are strongly encouraged to contact the MWMO to discuss ideas and ask questions in advance of applying.
  • Planning Grants are also available to assist organizations to plan and prepare documentation for a project that will be implemented in the near future. Planning Grants help fund the planning process for detailed projects that help improve water quality through construction, education, outreach, or other creative ways.

 

Nine Mile Creek Watershed District

Geographical region: District cities include Bloomington, Eden Prairie, Edina, Hopkins, Minnetonka, and Richfield. See range map here.

    • Cost share grants for projects that prevent stormwater pollution or to projects that restore native plant and wildlife habitat. Examples of projects include rain gardens, shoreline buffers, permeable pavers, chloride reduction projects, native plantings, and habitat restoration projects.
    • Maximum grant award for residential habitat restoration projects or native plantings is $3,000, maximum grant award for other residential eligible projects is $5,000.

 

Pelican River Watershed District

Geographical Region: Becker and Otter Tail Counties, MN

    • Pelican River Watershed District provides cost share financial assistance for low-cost projects to promote efforts that protect and improve water and natural resources. Cost share funds can be used by public or private landowners within the District for implementing projects that assist in one or all of the following: 
      • Protect or restore quality of lakes and rivers
      • Protect or restore native plant communities and wildlife habitats with emphasis on lakes
      • Priority will be given to shore land and streambank restoration projects
      • Innovative approaches to treat stormwater at the source
    • Funding is a 75% match of eligible expenses with a maximum level of $1,000 for single family homes, $2,000 for condo and apartment complexes, and $3,000 for organizations.
    • Applications are accepted year round from organizations/individuals for one cost-share grant per year.

 

Ramsey-Washington Metro Watershed District

Geographical region: Eastern Ramsey County and western Washington County, including some or all of White Bear Lake, Vadnais Heights, Gem Lake, Little Canada, Maplewood, Landfall, North St. Paul, St. Paul, Oakdale, Woodbury, Roseville, and Shoreview. See range map here.

    • Stewardship Grants are provided to install and maintain a variety of best management practices. These are designed to filter and reduce runoff, protect groundwater, restore native ecosystems, prevent flooding and lessen the effects of drought. Common types of projects include rain gardens, native landscaping, shoreland restoration, and pervious pavement.
    • Grants offered up to $15,000 for homeowners or $100,000 for commercial, church, school, association, or government entities. Funding covers 50-100 percent of the project, depending on type and location. Requests over $5,000 must be approved by the District Board of Managers.
    • RWMWD staff will review and approve applications under $5,000. Completed applications can be submitted anytime for review. 

 

Rice Creek Watershed District

Geographical region: The RCWD is approximately 185 square miles of urban and rural land in Anoka, Hennepin, Ramsey and Washington Counties. See range map here.

      • Aimed at land/home owners in the district (includes residents, churches, schools, communities, and business). For smaller projects and outreach activities like native plants, smaller rain gardens, pollinator gardens, water outreach events, rain barrels, and more.
      • All land or home owners in the district are eligible. This includes residents, churches, schools, communities, and businesses.
    • Aimed at land/home owners (includes residents, churches, schools, communities, and business). For larger projects that will result in improved water quality such as rain gardens, shoreline restorations, wetland restorations, and more.
    • All land or home owners in the district are eligible. This includes residents, churches, schools, communities, and businesses. RCWD may fund 25-50% of total project costs up to a maximum of $7,500 depending on benefits to water resources. If a project is highly beneficial to water resources RCWD may fund 75% of eligible materials and contracted labor up to a maximum of $7,500.

 

City of Rochester

    • The City of Rochester offers grants to establish pollinator habitat and water stewardship gardens. A limited number of grants for $1,000 or less will be available each year. Eligible expenses include the cost for design, plants, mulch, soil amendments, and related materials. Residents, community organizations, and schools may apply.
    • Applications consist of completed application documents and a signed agreement form. A signed agreement does not guarantee a grant award. Applications are accepted from October 1, 2024 – December 30, 2024 for gardens to be installed in the 2025 growing season.

 

Sherburne County Soil and Water Conservation District

Geographical region: Sherburne County

    • Sherburne County’s native prairie incentive program helps landowners in establishing diverse native prairie. The program reimburses 75% of seed cost, on a maximum of 10 acres (minimum of 1/2 acre). SWCD technical staff can assist with site prep and seed mix recommendations.
    • Program participants are asked to maintain prairie for a minimum of 10 years and allow SWCD on‐site inspections as requested (up to 1x per year).

 

Shingle Creek and West Mississippi Watershed Management Commissions

Geographical region: East-central Hennepin County, Minnesota. Shingle Creek member cities are Brooklyn Center, Brooklyn Park, Crystal, Maple Grove, Minneapolis, New Hope, Osseo, Plymouth, and Robbinsdale. West Mississippi member cities include Brooklyn Center, Brooklyn Park, Champlin, Maple Grove, and Osseo.

    • The Watersheds’ Partnership Cost Share program provides financial and technical assistance to private property owners who are looking to protect and improve water quality and native habitat. Funding requests may range from $10,000 to $50,000.
    • Types of projects funded include rain gardens, bioinfiltration/filtration features that filter surface runoff, conversion of impervious surface to turf grass or native plants, and more.
    • Eligibility: You must apply through your City Engineer and the project will be reviewed for funding assistance by the Watershed Commission at their monthly meeting. If awarded, awardees must obtain all necessary permits for the work and enter into an operations and maintenance agreement with the city (if applicable).  Projects are reimbursable after completion.

 

Stearns County Soil and Water Conservation District

Geographical region: Stearns County

      • By choosing to plant a pollinator habitat with the Stearns County SWCD, landowners are provided with free seed and technical assistance to ensure proper site preparation and seeding as well as successful establishment.
      • 10 year contract length, $300 (flat rate) will be paid per acre. The seeding must be completed between May 15-June 30 or after November 1.
      • Eligibility: Landowners in Stearns County, Private, public, and corporate lands, Minimum project size is 2 acres
    • Assistance with technical information, design, cost share, and implementation of your project. See webpage for contact information.

 

City of St. Louis Park

    • St. Louis Park’s Rainwater Rewards program offers financial assistance to residents that complete stormwater management projects on their property. The projects must effectively manage stormwater in the city by doing one or more of the following: 
      • Protect and restore stormwater by capturing pollutants in rainwater runoff
      • Increase the watershed’s ability to store water
      • Preserve and restore native plant and wildlife communities
      • Protect and preserve groundwater quality and quantity
    • The city may offer to fund all of or a portion of the project. Funding percentages are based on specific criteria, including location in the watershed and type of project proposed.
    • Residential landowners may submit applications year-round until funds are gone. An application must be approved by the city prior to starting any work. Projects started or completed when submitted are not eligible for funding.

 

Vadnais Lake Area Water Management Organization

Geographical Region: Northeast metro area (northern Ramsey County and a small portion of Anoka County). See range map here.

  • Landscape Grant 
      • VLAWMO Landscape Grants support installing a water quality improvement project, or Best Management Practice (BMP), that will benefit our lakes, streams, and wetlands. Grants include Landscape Level 1 Grant (Maximum $5,000, $7,500 for curb cut raingardens), Soil Health Grant (Maximum $1,000, $1,250 if within priority zone), Landscape Level 2 Grant (large-scale projects).
      • Site visits must be scheduled prior to submitting an application for any of the grant programs. Applications will not be considered prior to the completion of a site visit with VLAWMO staff.
      • Applications will be accepted until grant funding is depleted on a first come, first served basis. Consult with staff for application assistance.
  • Rain Barrel Grant 
    • The Rain Barrel Grant Program funds up to two rain barrels per property. VLAWMO will reimburse 50% of the cost, up to $100 for each rain barrel. The total reimbursement cannot be more than $200.

 

Watonwan River Watershed Network

Geographical Region: includes Blue Earth, Brown, Cottonwood, Jackson, Martin, and Watonwan counties (South Central MN)

    • As part of Watonwan River Watershed’s 2023-2026 Implementation Grant, cost-share funds are available for eligible practices including agricultural practices, shoreland protection, urban practices (rain gardens, vegetated swales), and urban forestry (tree planting). 
    • Call your local SWCD office to find out more. 

 

Washington Conservation District

Geographical Region: Washington County

    • Washington Conservation District (WCD) can connect you with cost share, grant, and loan programs that protect land and water in Washington County. They can also help you navigate the Rural Preserve Property Tax Program (RPPTP).
    • All eight watershed management organizations within Washington County offer grants for water quality improvement projects such as rain gardens, shoreline restoration, habitat improvement, and stormwater management. Contact the WCD staff or your local watershed management organization to learn what funds are available.