2025 GNF Grant Cycle Timeline
October 13 - Good Neighbor Fund Board Logistical and Finance Update Meeting (Zoom)
December 10 - Community Kick Off Meeting- Van Cleve Park (6pm-7:30pm)
January 14, 2026 - Office Hours 9am-10am
Zoom meeting
January 28 - Office Hours 9am-10am
Zoom meeting
February 13 - Applications Due
February 20 - Projects Distributed to the GNF Board
March 6 - Project Rating Sheets Returned
Week of March 16- 1st GNF Board Meeting for Project Discussion
Week of March 23 - 2nd GNF meeting ( if needed)
March 23- April 24 - Contracts signed and checks distributed
*Second Disbursement upon completion if project is over $5,000
2026 Good Neighbor Fund grants
The Stadium Area Advisory Group board approved $120,000 available in total grant funds for the year 2026 from the Good Neighbor Fund endowment. We encourage applications for projects that reflect the long-term purpose of the U of M Good Neighbor Fund, which is to promote the beauty, stability, vitality, and security of the communities adjacent to the University of Minnesota’s Twin Cities campus.
Eligibility
Eligible applicants must be member organizations of the University of Minnesota Stadium Area Advisory Group, and must be duly organized and incorporated and have systems in place to ensure financial accountability. Member organizations of the Stadium Area Advisory Group are:
- Communities
- Cedar-Riverside
- Falcon Heights
- Marcy-Holmes/East Bank
- Prospect Park
- Saint Anthony Park
- SE Como/Mid-Industrial
- University/Dinkytown
- Commercial Associations
- Towerside Innovation District
- West Bank Business Assn
- City/County Government
- City of Minneapolis
- City of Saint Paul
- Hennepin County
- Ramsey County
- Other Organizations
- Minnesota State Fair
- University of Minnesota Student Neighborhood Liaison Program
*Each Member organization can serve as fiscal agents for other organizations if approved.
Grant Application Process
Representatives from organizations in the campus area communities will review grant applications and make recommendations for funding. Grant applications are invited once each year. Funding recommendations are presented in May. Grant agreements are finalized and notifications will go out in May. Unless by special arrangement, grant activities are expected to be completed within one year. Staffing for the Good Neighbor Fund is provided by the University of Minnesota Office of Government and Community Relations.
Read full application process here: Good Neighbor Fund Request for Applications 2026
Good Neighbor Fund History
The Good Neighbor Fund (GNF) was founded in 2007 and is held and managed in an endowment by the University of Minnesota. The Stadium Area Advisory Group serves as the fund's board with representatives from local governments and neighborhood and business associations adjacent to the Twin Cities campus.
Formed with the purpose of enhancing and protecting the beauty, serenity, and security of the community we are part of, the University of Minnesota has awarded more than seven hundred thousand dollars of Good Neighbor Fund grants to community and local government partners for 128 projects.
Grant recipients have used the Good Neighbor Fund to implement projects that range from crime prevention and neighborhood building, to beautification of public spaces and the arts. Recent projects include the preservation of murals in Dinkytown, the cultivation of hanging gardens in the Towerside neighborhood, and the painting of picnic tables and benches with support from local artist Ifrah Mansour in the Cedar-Riverside neighborhood.
Questions?
Please direct questions to [email protected].