Urban agriculture and food waste prevention advocates take note: Homegrown Minneapolis is on the lookout for innovative projects to back with cold, hard cash. The city agency, nestled within the bureaucratic embrace of the Minneapolis Health Department, has just cast a line inviting community collaborators to reel in a share of the funding available under the city's Climate Legacy Initiative. Proposals with a focus on sustainable, local food growing practices or on cutting down the city's food waste are the catch of the day.
Despite the chill of February looming, there's no time to hibernate with the application deadline for grants breezing in by 2 p.m. sharp on February 3, 2026—no stragglers allowed. Revealed in a bulletin on the Minneapolis government's mailing list, Homegrown Minneapolis is casting a wide net, offering a purse ranging from $20,000 to $50,000 for each of the two to five projects that make the cut. Aim high, Minneapolis, but you'll need at least two partners in your boat; one to steer as the lead applicant and the other to row along as subcontractor.
The climate-conscious of Minneapolis have a chance to dive deeper into the details during a webinar hosted by the agency. Pack your digital gear for an online dive into the funding initiative on January 13 from 2 - 3 p.m. Those interested can join the virtual session held via Teams, with a click here on the day of the webinar – an opportunity not to be missed, as the city staff will be on hand to unravel the specifics and answer probing queries.
As for the paperwork to cast your line, the application and all related documentation are swimming in the City's e-Supplier portal. Don't be a fish out of water; make sure you're registered as a 'Supplier' with the City to hook into this opportunity. Once in, navigate to 'Contracting Opportunities' and select the 'RFP for 2026 Homegrown Collaborative Projects' to view and submit your bid. Bait is not provided, but you can learn more about how to navigate and use e-Supplier—because even the best fishermen need a good map.
Homegrown Minneapolis urges those with knowledge of the local seas, from enthusiasts to established organizations, to share this newsletter far and wide. Anchored in the belief that everybody deserves a fair portion of the pie (or should we say fish?), they're searching for collaborations that prioritize urban resilience and equity at the table. If you're just casting your net into the realm of Homegrown Minneapolis, touch base at their website or drop a line to [email protected] for a friendly crew to guide you through the waters.
