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City staff brief council on Minnesota CanRenew grant; $970,000 available statewide, local departments weighing applications
Summary
Caroline Swinford of the city’s grants division gave an overview of the Office of Cannabis Management’s inaugural CanRenew Community Restoration Grant: $970,000 available statewide for projects of $50,000–$200,000; applications due March 24. The library and Parks & Rec expressed interest in submitting proposals.
City grant staff briefed the Saint Paul City Council on the CanRenew Community Restoration Grant administered by the Minnesota Office of Cannabis Management (OCM), which aims to support communities impacted by cannabis prohibition.
Caroline Swinford, grant specialist in the city’s new grants division, told the council the 2023 Minnesota Legislature authorized $1,000,000 for the OCM grants program and that $970,000 is being distributed in the inaugural round. Swinford said the grant awards range from about $50,000 to $200,000, have a one-year performance period, and require no local match; applications were due Monday, March 24.
Eligible applicants include nonprofits, federally recognized tribes, educational institutions, units of local government, private businesses and partnerships. The program prioritizes projects demonstrating community support, youth civic engagement, and a history of community investment. Swinford noted that revenue-generating projects are ineligible. She said the city’s grants division was aware of two city departments considering proposals: the Rondo Community Library (using a community-safety framework) and Parks and Recreation (seeking funds for its Right Track program).
Councilmembers asked clarifying questions on funding scope and longevity. When asked whether the $970,000 was statewide funding, Swinford replied it was state funding (not federal) and that the funding stream is expected to expand in future years, meaning the opportunity could recur beyond the inaugural round.
Why it matters: The CanRenew grant explicitly targets communities affected by past cannabis prohibition and prioritizes projects around community development, safety and economic stability. City departments and local nonprofits can apply for flexible funding for programs related to health, violence prevention, youth development and reentry services.
Next steps: Departments that intend to apply must submit proposals per the RFP and coordinate with the city’s grants division; staff said the grants division will continue to publicize the opportunity across departments and community partners.
