Grants and funding opportunities
The Hennepin County Youth Activities Grants (HCYAG) program provides funding for youth activities to local government units (LGUs) within Hennepin County. The HCYAG program started in 2009 and is supported by proceeds from the Twins ballpark sales tax. The program has three initiatives:
The Swim Lesson grants support opportunities to promote youth water safety, remove barriers to youth swim lessons, and reduce youth drowning disparities. Hennepin County partners with USA Swimming Foundation to offer grant funding to local swim lesson providers. Swim Lesson grant funds may be used by the swim lesson program to offer free or low-cost youth swim lessons and/or support transportation to swim lesson locations.
Information on available funding will be communicated by USA Swimming Foundation.
Interested applicants must be an approved provider within the Swim Lesson Provider Network. Programming must be provided to communities located within Hennepin County.
Applications for Youth Learn to Swim Grants are accepted by USA Swimming Foundation.
Lifeguard Services grants support youth lifeguard services by funding creative, innovative, and sustainable solutions to the youth lifeguard shortage.
Grants up to $50,000 are available for lifeguard services grants. Approximately 1.3 million dollars have been allocated for the spring 2026 grant cycle. Availability of funding for lifeguard services grants will be based on requests received.
Applicants must be Local Government Units (LGUs) within Hennepin County. For the purposes of this grant, eligible LGUs are governmental entities including municipal districts, park districts, public school districts, and watershed districts located or operating in Hennepin County.
LGUs are strongly encouraged to partner with local businesses, nonprofits, and other community organizations for grant-funded projects. Partner organizations, such as non-profits and charter schools, are not eligible to apply on their own and must enlist an LGU to apply. School departments, community education programs, and other subsidiaries of school districts need to apply through the school district and not as a separate entity.
Play Area grants support opportunities for youth participation in sports and play by creating, expanding, and improving youth athletic facilities, recreational facilities, playgrounds, and other play spaces.
Grants up to $300,000 are available for play area grants. Approximately 1.3 million dollars have been allocated for the spring 2026 grant cycle. Availability of funding for play area grants will be based on requests received.
Applicants must be Local Government Units (LGUs) within Hennepin County. For the purposes of this grant, eligible LGUs are governmental entities including municipal districts, park districts, public school districts, and watershed districts located or operating in Hennepin County.
LGUs are strongly encouraged to partner with local businesses, nonprofits, and other community organizations for grant-funded projects. Partner organizations, such as non-profits and charter schools, are not eligible to apply on their own and must enlist an LGU to apply. School departments, community education programs, and other subsidiaries of school districts need to apply through the school district and not as a separate entity.
Equipment grants support opportunities for youth to participate in sports and other recreational activities by providing funding to purchase sports equipment.
Grants up to $10,000 are available for equipment grants. Approximately 1.3 million dollars have been allocated for the spring 2026 grant cycle. Availability of funding for equipment grants will be based on requests received.
Applicants must be Local Government Units (LGUs) within Hennepin County. For the purposes of this grant, eligible LGUs are governmental entities including municipal districts, park districts, public school districts, and watershed districts located or operating in Hennepin County.
LGUs are strongly encouraged to partner with local businesses, nonprofits, and other community organizations for grant-funded projects. Partner organizations, such as non-profits and charter schools, are not eligible to apply on their own and must enlist an LGU to apply. School departments, community education programs, and other subsidiaries of school districts need to apply through the school district and not as a separate entity.
Arts & Music grants support opportunities for youth to participate in arts and music programming and education.
Grants up to $25,000 are available for equipment grants. Approximately 1.3 million dollars have been allocated for the spring 2026 grant cycle. Availability of funding for arts & music grants will be based on requests received.
Applicants must be Local Government Units (LGUs) within Hennepin County. For the purposes of this grant, eligible LGUs are governmental entities including municipal districts, park districts, public school districts, and watershed districts located or operating in Hennepin County.
LGUs are strongly encouraged to partner with local businesses, nonprofits, and other community organizations for grant-funded projects. Partner organizations, such as non-profits and charter schools, are not eligible to apply on their own and must enlist an LGU to apply. School departments, community education programs, and other subsidiaries of school districts need to apply through the school district and not as a separate entity
Grant awards will not be announced on this page. If you applied for an open grant opportunity, you will be contacted directly by program staff with your award decision.
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