The Minnesota Wild and Xcel Energy are teaming up to make a big impact on hockey in Minnesota through the Community Power Play Grant Program.

We’re awarding three one-time grants of $10,000 each during the 2025–26 NHL season to support organizations that grow the game and strengthen our hockey communities.

How It Works

Each grant focuses on a different area of need:

  • Period 1 Grant

    • Financial assistance to cover fees and equipment expenses related to participation in youth and amateur hockey.

  • Period 2 Grant

    • Financial assistance to cover ice time expenses with the expressed purpose of making hockey more accessible for associations to support new or existing programming.

  • Period 3 Grant

    • Investments and upgrades for local municipally owned rinks and facilities, including but not limited to ice-resurfacing machines, locker room improvements, and capital campaign initiatives.

Important Dates

  • Period 1 Applications:

    • September 1 – October 15, 2025 | Winner Announced October 20

  • Period 2 Applications:

    • November 1 – December 15, 2025 | Winner Announced December 30

  • Period 3 Applications:

    • January 1 – February 15, 2026 | Winner Announced February 27, 2026

Funds will be distributed within 60 days of winner announcements, and all grants will be awarded by April 30, 2026.

Why Apply?

This is your chance to bring real change to your community — whether it’s helping kids lace up skates for the first time, giving teams more time on the ice, or upgrading rinks that bring people together.

Who Can Apply?

Eligible applicants include Minnesota-based:

  • Youth and amateur hockey associations
  • High school hockey programs
  • Municipally owned rinks and facilities

Note: Applicants must be nonprofit organizations.

What We’re Looking For

Our review team will consider:

  • How well the proposal aligns with grant goals
  • The impact on the growth of hockey
  • The number of people who will benefit
  • Whether the project will happen without this funding

What’s Not Eligible

Funding cannot be used for:

  • Individual benefits (such as salaries)
  • Fundraisers or sponsorships (golf tournaments, galas, walks/runs, etc.)
  • Programs outside Minnesota
  • Religious or political organizations
  • Requests made on behalf of another organization