Equity Grant Program

Two people fishing off a bridge.The Equity Grant Program provides funding to regional parks agencies for capital and noncapital projects that will strengthen equitable usage of regional parks and trails by all our region's residents, across age, race, ethnicity, income, national origin, and ability. The program is also designed to enhance institutional capacity around equity work across the regional parks system and with individual agencies.


2024 Equity Grant Program

The Metropolitan Council dedicated $2,068,000 to the 2024 Competitive Equity Grant Program through the 2024 Notice of Funding Availability (PDF). Regional Park Implementing Agencies submitted 22 applications requesting just over $2 million for a mix of capital and programming equity projects. A formal review committee recommended they all receive funding and the Metropolitan Council approved these recommendations on April 24, 2024. See the approved list of recommended projects (PDF).  

2021 Equity Grant Program

The Metropolitan Council dedicated $2,064,000 for the 2021 Competitive Equity Grant Program. Regional park implementing agencies submitted 37 applications, requesting more than $3.8 million for a mix of capital and programming equity projects. A formal review committee recommended funding 23 of these projects for a total of $2,054,000, and the Metropolitan Council approved these recommendations on July 14, 2021. See the approved list of recommended projects (PDF).

Equity grants funded in 2019

  • Dakota County Dakota Homeland Interpretation Along the Minnesota River Greenway Regional Trail: $90,000 to design, fabricate, and install interpretation frames

  • Saint Paul Wakan Tipi Center at Bruce Vento Nature Sanctuary Equitable Enhancements (Bruce Vento Regional Trail): $154,255 for environmental costs, exhibits, interior art, public art, and architect fees

  • Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board Bde Maka Ska Cloud Man Memorial Interpretive Signage (Mpls Chain of Lakes Regional Park): $55,745 for design and construction of five panels and concrete pads at four locations around the lake