Minnesota Humanities Center

2025-2027 Youth Literary Grants

Through the State of Minnesota’s 2025-2027 biennial legislation and the Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund (Legacy), the Minnesota Humanities Center (MHC) will award $500,000 in Youth Literary grants (less allowable administrative fee) to individual authors and organizations for design, award, and monitoring of the grant program.

Questions?

Have questions about this RFP, applying in English is a barrier, or you need a reasonable accommodation to submit your application? Contact Lizzie Neary, MHC Grants Administrator.

lizzie@mnhum.org

Youth Literary Grant Snapshot

RFP Posted:Thursday, July 30, 2026
Open To: Individual Authors and Organizations
Deadline to Request MHC Feedback:
(MHC will complete one proposal review per application)		Friday, September 4, 2026
Application Deadline:
6:00 p.m. CDT Friday, September 11, 2026
Applications Under Review:Monday, September 14, 2026
Grant Term:
May 31, 2027
Grant Reporting:
June 30, 2027
View Complete RFP

Grant Goals

Funding will support individual authors and organizations to create, produce, and distribute books for youth in Minnesota.

An applicant that receives funding under this grant opportunity must do at least one of the following:

  • Amplify arts, culture, and heritage in Minnesota,
  • Increase the depth and breadth of Minnesota who will connect with arts, culture, and heritage, and
  • Provide opportunities for individuals in Minnesota to enjoy arts and culture for free or at reduced cost to allow access for economically disadvantaged individuals and families in Minnesota to attend Legacy programs.

Grant Information Sessions

MHC will host two virtual information sessions for applicants to ask additional questions about this grant opportunity and/or technical questions related to the application process.

Information sessions will be conducted via Zoom.

Session #1
August 11, 3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Register Now

Session #2
August 12, 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Register Now

Funding Availability

MHC will award $500,000 in Youth Literary grants (less allowable administrative fee) to MHC for design, award, and monitoring of the grant program, to individual authors and organizations, in Minnesota. 

Youth Literary grants to individual authors and organizations are to be used to create and produce books for youth in Minnesota.

The Legislation further identifies that grant funding must be used for the creation and distribution of books for youth that celebrate cultural expression with a focus on excellent creative work and an educational value.

You may request up to $50,000 maximum. If you request $50,000 or more, you will need to submit financial documentation with your application.

Legacy funding may only be used for new work or new additions to existing work. Funding must supplement and not substitute existing funding sources or be used as reimbursement of expenses for existing projects.

Applicants must provide books for free or at a reduced cost for youth and families.

Eligibility

An applicant is eligible to apply for funding:

  • If the applicant is in good standing with the IRS,
  • If the applicant is in good standing with MHC, and
  • If the applicant is working to to create and distribute books for youth in Minnesota, that celebrate cultural expression with a focus on creative work and education value

MHC uses the IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search to confirm compliance. If you are unsure whether you are in good standing with MHC, please contact Grants Administrator Lizzie Neary at lizzie@mnhum.org. MHC may grant an exemption to an organization that is not in good standing if the applicant uses a fiscal agent.

Additional financial information may be requested based on review an assessment of applications submitted. An applicant is eligible to receive grant funding if they are in good standing with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and MHC. An organization is in good standing with the IRS when they have completed all IRS reporting requirements and can receive tax-deductible charitable contributions.

An applicant is in good standing with MHC unless they have a history of untimely or inaccurate financial or program reports or an open grant beyond its closure date. If you are unsure whether you are in good standing with MHC, please contact us at grants@mnhum.org. MHC may grant an eligibility exemption to an organization if the applicant uses a fiscal agent.

Additional financial information may be requested based on review and assessment of applications submitted.

Selection Criteria & Weight
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All eligible applications will be evaluated using a 100-point scale using the following scoring factors and weight criteria:

Project Details (30)

  • How well does the project (select as many as applicable but at least one of the following):
    • Amplify arts, culture, and heritage in Minnesota,
    • Increase the depth and breadth of Minnesota who will connect with arts, culture, and heritage, and
    • Provided opportunities for individuals in Minnesota to enjoy arts and culture for free or at reduced cost to allow access for economically disadvantaged individuals and families in Minnesota to attend Legacy programs.
  • Is the primary purpose of the project to create, produce, and/or distribute books for youth that celebrate cultural expression?
  • Why would you consider your project to be an example of excellent creative work?
  • How does the proposed book amplify Minnesota cultural history or the experiences of Minnesota cultural communities?
  • What educational value is the project bringing to Minnesota youth?
  • What youth audience are you attempting to serve? Be specific with grade or age level, subject matter, number of youth, educators, and/or number of schools.
  • How engaging, well-developed, and appropriate is the proposed book concept for the intended youth audience?

Applicant Experience & Community Connection (25)

  • What relevant experience does the applicant have in writing, developing, or producing books and/or youth-focused content?
  • How does the applicant demonstrate the ability to successfully complete the proposed project?
  • How is the project informed by or connected to the community or cultural context it represents?
  • If applicable, how will community members, educators, or cultural experts inform or support the project?
  • If applicable, does the applicant demonstrate experience engaging with relevant communities or audiences?

Project Management (25)

  • Is the project plan clear and feasible within the proposed timeline?
  • How well does the applicant demonstrate the ability to correctly and consistently track and report expenses and hours?
  • Are the project goals clear, and is there a realistic plan to achieve them?
  • Does the budget submitted align with the proposed project?
  • Are the itemized expenses detailed, clear and consistent with Legacy?
  • If applicable, how will compliance with Minnesota competitive bid laws be ensured?

Evaluation & Impact (20)

  • Is the intended impact of the project clear?
  • How will the applicant measure project outcomes and success?
  • Are the evaluation methods appropriate and feasible?
  • How will the project meaningfully impact its audience?
  • What steps is the applicant taking to maximize your desired impact?
Application Content
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Applicants must submit a complete application to be considered. Applications contain the following sections:

  • Application Contact Information
  • Project Overview
  • Project Alignment
  • Project Narrative
  • Project Budget

Please don’t submit any additional materials other than what is requested, such as binders or photos, in the application. Unrequested materials will not be reviewed.
Funding Requirements
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Please make sure that your proposal only seeks funding for events and activities that are allowable. Minnesota law does not allow Legacy funding to be used for:

  • Reimburse costs incurred before the grant agreement is fully signed,
  • Start, match, add, support or complete any type of fundraiser,
  • Support a benefit(s),
  • Support investments (such as improvements, construction, property, or equipment),
  • Purchase promotional giveaway items such as t-shirts, keychains,
  • Fund out-of-state expenses, such as out-of-state travel and lodging and contractor expenses,
  • Pay for expenses or other institutional overhead costs that are not directly related to the activities outlined in the project proposal.
  • Food expenses when expenses are either (i) incurred during the planning phase of the project, or (ii) are not essential to the final program.
  • Wages, salary, and benefits of staff for the time that such individuals are not working on the project.
Additional Information
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How to Apply

Applicants are encouraged to apply online through MHC’s grants management system.

We recommend reviewing the full application (PDF – Individual Application | Organization Application) prior to logging on and setting up an account. You may save your initial application entries and subsequently return to the document to finish your application.

The application will require a budget submission using MHC’s budget template.

Individual Grant Application

Organization Grant Application

Technical Support

If you have any questions about this RFP, applying in English is a barrier, or you need a reasonable accommodation to submit your application, please contact:

Lizzie Neary
MHC Grants Administrator
987 Ivy Avenue East
St. Paul, MN 55016
lizzie@mnhum.org
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