Next Step Fund

The Next Step Fund is made possible with support from the McKnight Foundation and provides project grants up to $6,000 to artists in any arts discipline. Applicants may be at any stage in their career, but must be able to provide samples of their own artwork. Individual artists must have a primary residential address in Anoka, Carver, Dakota, Hennepin, Ramsey, Scott, or Washington county.

MRAC values artists at every stage in their development and in any artistic discipline. The Next Step Fund grant is designed for artists to propose a project that has the potential to help them overcome a barrier to success, sustain the continued success of their artistic career, and/or leverage an opportunity that could benefit their career in the future.

Proposed projects may range from plans that propel an artist’s career forward to projects designed to maintain an artist’s ability to create. We value both ends of this spectrum and everything in between. Most importantly, projects should reflect the career stage of the applicant and be in alignment with their stated goals.

Important Dates

Deadline: January 27, 2025 at 11:59 pm (All times CST)

• August 2024: Guidelines are published in English and Spanish
• October 10, 2024: Recorded Grant Information Webinar published; meeting request form opens for assistance from program directors; application opens in Submittable.
• November 13, 2024, 5:30–6:30 pm: Program Director will host an in-person Q&A Session at Hosmer Library, 347 E 36th Street, Minneapolis 55408. Space is limited; register at https://bit.ly/3M2I5pT
• December 13, 2024, 12–1 pm: Program Director will host an online Q&A Session. Register at https://bit.ly/466B7cA
• December 25, 2024 – January 2, 2025: MRAC is closed.
• January 22, 2025, 5–6 pm: Program Director will host an online Q&A Session. Register at https://bit.ly/3W8ar6J
• January 27, 2025 at 5 pm: Staff assistance ends. Inquiries received after this time will not be answered before the deadline.
• January 27, 2025 at 11:59 pm is the deadline. Applications must be received by this time. MRAC does not accept late applications. Applicants may not change or edit their applications after the deadline.
• Starting January 28, 2025: MRAC staff reviews all applications for eligibility. Applicants should check their email and/or Submittable account regularly, as Program Directors may reach out with questions or request additional information. All communications will be sent via Submittable.
• April–June 2025: Panel Review process.
• June 24, 2025: MRAC Board of Directors reviews funding recommendations and makes funding decisions.
• June 25, 2025: Applicants receive grant notifications via Submittable. It is also the earliest eligible Proposal Start Date.
• After June 25, 2025: Grantees submit grant agreements, which includes uploading a W-9 form with a personal social security number or ITIN. Grantees will receive a lump sum payment made to their individual name that appears on their W-9 form along with a 1099 dated in 2025. This grant award may affect your individual taxes.
• July 7, 2025, 5:30–6:30 pm: Program Director will host an online optional “You got a Next Step Fund grant, now what?” session, which will also be recorded. Registration is required; the registration link will be sent to grantees.