The Community Grant Program uses a two-stage competitive application process.
Stage 1: Concept note
Applicants submit a shorter Concept Note about their organization, project idea, community benefit and basic project readiness. You do not need to prepare a Full Application at Stage 1.
Stage 2: Full application
Applicants invited to continue will submit a more detailed application with additional project, budget, work plan and technical information.
Both stages are competitive. An invitation to Stage 2 does not guarantee funding.
Applications are not currently being accepted.
Use this page to understand the application process and learn what you can do before the next funding opportunity opens.
Before you apply
Before a funding opportunity opens, you can learn about the Community Grant Program and begin developing your project idea.
You can:
- Learn what the Community Grant Program supports
- Consider whether the Community Grant Program may fit your organization and project idea
- Review the five eligible activity areas and consider which one best describes your project's main purpose
- Talk with community members, partners and others who may have knowledge about the need or project idea
- Learn how the two-stage application process works
- Identify questions you may want to discuss with the Community Grant Program staff
- Subscribe for the Community Grant Program updates
Is the Community Grant Program Right for us? Explore the five eligible activity areas
Your Community Grant pathway
The Applicant Pathway shows the larger Community Grant process, from exploring the funding opportunity and submitting a Concept Note through review, grant agreement, project implementation, reporting and closeout.
- Explore the opportunity
- Check your fit and choose a project pathway
- Submit a Stage 1 Concept Note
- Stage 1 comptetitive review
- If invited, develop a State 2 application
- Stage 2 compatible technical review
- If contingently selected, compelte preaward and grant agreement steps
- Begin the grant, implement the project, report and close out
1 Explore the opportunity
Learn what the Community Grant Program supports and whether the current opportunity may be right for your organization and project idea.
View funding opportunities Is the Community Grant Program right for us?
2 Check your fit and choose a project pathway
In the Applicant Pathway, "choose a project pathway" includes identifying which of the five eligible activity areas best describes your project's main purpose. Review the applicable funding opportunity for current eligibility requirements.
Explore the five eligible activity areas Is the Community Grant Program right for us?
3 Submit a stage 1 concept note
Stage 1 is the first competitive application stage. Applicants submit a short Concept Note describing their organization and project idea.
The funding opportunity will explain the information required for the Concept Note and how to submit it.
4 Stage 1 competitive review
The DNR reviews eligible concept notes using the published stage 1 criteria within the published funding opportunity. Applicants whose projects advance will be invited to develop a Stage 2 Full Application. An invitation to Stage 2 is not a grant award and does not guarantee funding.
5 If invited, develop a stage 2 full application
Only applicants invited to continue after stage 1 will submit a full application.
Stage 2 asks for additional project information, budget, work plan and technical information. The funding opportunity will explain the requirements for applicants invited to this stage.
6 Stage 2 competitive technical review
The DNR evaluates complete stage 2 applications using the published criteria and technical review process. stage 2 is competitive. A full application does not guarantee funding.
7 If contingently selected, complete preaward and grant agreement steps
The DNR completes required preaward review and works with the potential grantee to finalize the grant. Contingent selection is not the same as an executed grant agreement.
8 Begin the grant, implement the project, report and close out
After the grant is fully executed and the DNR authorizes work to begin, the grantee carries out the project and completes required reporting, monitoring and closeout.
Important to know
- Stage 1 and stage 2 are both competitive.
- An invitation to stage 2 does not guarantee funding.
- If contingently selected, applicants must complete required pre-award and grant agreement steps before a grant is finalized.
- Do not begin grant-funded work until the grant is fully executed and the DNR authorizes work to begin.
Applicant Pathway one-page guide
Prefer something you can print or share? Download the Applicant Pathway one-page guide for a summary of the Community Grant Program process.
Download the Applicant Pathway one-page guide
Applicant Pathway in other languages
Translated versions of the Applicant Pathway will be available here as they are completed.
- Stage 1: Concept note
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The Applicant Pathway gives the overall process. When a funding opportunity opens, additional Stage 1 guidance will help applicants understand what to prepare and what can wait until later.
The applicable RFP will contain the controlling Stage 1 requirements, application questions, submission instructions, review criteria and deadlines.
Do not prepare answers to application questions until the applicable funding opportunity and its instructions are published.
- Stage 2: Full application
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Only applicants invited to continue from Stage 1 will develop a stage 2 full application.
Stage 2 asks for additional information needed to evaluate the project. The applicable funding opportunity will explain the requirements, applicant support and technical assistance available for that round.
Stage 2 is competitive. A full application does not guarantee funding.
- Current funding opportunity
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The Community Grant Program funding opportunities are coming soon.
Applications are not currently being accepted.
When a Community Grant Program funding opportunity is published, review the Funding Opportunities page for the current RFP, applications, requirements, important dates and application.
- Have a question?
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If you cannot find the information you need, you can send a question to the Community Grant Program team.