Minnesota Wild Foundation Hockey Grant Application

The Minnesota Wild Foundation is proud to announce the opening of 2025–2026 Minnesota Wild Foundation Hockey Grant applications supporting programs that Skate It Forward by growing the game and expanding access and opportunities across the State of Hockey.

The Minnesota Wild Foundation believes that Hockey Is For Everyone - no matter what your background, zip code, or financial circumstances. In support of the Minnesota Wild's new Skate It Forward endeavor, these grants are designed to break down barriers and create opportunities to discover, play, and fall in love with hockey.

More Than a Grant

The Minnesota Wild Foundation is committed to building meaningful partnerships that go beyond funding. Programs that embody the Skate It Forward initiative may have select opportunities for Wild Foundation visibility and storytelling, community engagement and co-branding that celebrates the power of hockey to bring communities together.

If your organization is helping people take their first stride onto the ice, or ensuring hockey remains a game for everyone, you are already Skating It Forward, and we want to support your efforts.

Apply today and help us continue building a stronger, more inclusive future for community hockey in Minnesota. Accepting grant applications via online application only January 14, 2026 – February 27, 2026.

Let’s Skate It Forward. Together we create a greater State of Hockey.

Apply

About Minnesota Wild Foundation Hockey Grants

  • Wild Foundation Hockey Grants will be one-time grants distributed during the 2025-2026 Wild Hockey season
  • Grant amounts will range from $5,000 to $50,000 each
  • One application per organization will be considered in this cycle
  • Applications will be accepted online only January 14, 2026 – February 27, 2026.
  • The Minnesota Wild Foundation Board of Directors and staff will review applications, and successful applicants will be notified by May 2026.
  • Grants will be distributed no later than June 30, 2026. Please consider program/project timing when applying for a grant.

To be considered for a Minnesota Wild Foundation Hockey Grant, your organization must meet the following criteria:

General Eligibility Criteria for Applicants:

  • Your organization must be a registered 501c3 charity located in and serving communities in the state of Minnesota that has demonstrated stable and continuous management
  • The organization must have an active Board of Directors and be guided by clear internal, administrative, and governance standards and policies. Applicants must be able to provide a current list of Board of Directors and organizational bylaws upon request.
  • Your organization will be asked to provide an outline for how you would publicize receipt, purpose and impact of your Wild Foundation Hockey grant
  • Each grant recipient must provide a summary report to the Minnesota Wild Foundation demonstrating how the organization distributed the grant and the benefit to those served within six months of receiving funds

Hockey Grant Proposal Criteria for Applicants:

  • Hockey grant proposals must support programs that grow the game of hockey or introduce the sport to individuals who may not otherwise have access.
  • Priority will be given to programs that:
    • Introduce new players to the game of hockey
    • Remove financial, geographic, or physical barriers to participation
    • Provide access to equipment, ice time, or instructional programming
    • Expand opportunities for youth in underserved or underrepresented communities
    • Strengthen grassroots and community-based hockey initiatives across Minnesota

Proposals for the following are ineligible for consideration for a Minnesota Wild Foundation Hockey Grant:

  • Projects or programs that benefit an individual
  • Capital budget campaigns
  • Hockey rink or arena building/refurbishing projects
  • To pay operational expenses
  • Private foundations or endowment programs, international agencies or nonprofits that benefit individuals or organizations outside the state of Minnesota
  • Churches and religious organizations, political parties or political activities