SMIF “Paint the Town Grant” Now Accepting Applications

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

OWATONNA, Minn., February 3, 2026 – Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation (SMIF) is currently accepting applications for free paint and coating products for community mural, community welcome sign, historic structure or public art projects or to refresh public spaces in preparation for significant community milestone celebrations through its Paint the Town Grant program. This year, projects that lift up marginalized community members will be prioritized and the grant is open to all communities within SMIF’s 20-county region.

SMIF’s Paint the Town Grant Program is designed to build community collaboration with a unique and hands-on approach. SMIF donates up to 100 gallons of paint per project, with the goal of fostering inclusion through volunteer engagement, promotion of creativity, celebration of local pride and to enhance the beauty and interest of a space through community collaboration.

Public art projects include creative placemaking initiatives which incorporate the arts to create a place-based asset in a community. Examples may include painting a piano on a public, outdoor staircase, painting board games on public picnic tables, painting a pop-up park in an alleyway downtown or using paint on temporary or permanent art installations that enhance the vibrancy of a community.

“More than just beautifying, our Paint the Town Grant encourages communities to collaborate toward a shared vision of what they want their community to represent, remember and celebrate about themselves,” said Benya Kraus, SMIF president and CEO. “This kind of collaboration helps people take pride in where they live and unlocks creativity for what’s possible when we come together.”

To be eligible, organizations must be tax exempt 501(c)(3) organizations, units/agencies of local, state, or federal government and public schools/higher education institutions within SMIF’s region. All projects must demonstrate visual impact and be accessible to the public.

Since 1997, SMIF has distributed more than 11,314 gallons of paint to 337 projects in southern Minnesota through various programs. The Paint the Town Grant program was officially launched in 2015.

Applications are due to SMIF by March 3, 2026. For more information about the grant, and to see examples of public art and creative placemaking projects, visit smifoundation.org/paint. For questions regarding the application, contact Sarah Scheffert, communications and community vitality specialist, at sarahs@smifoundation.org or 507-214-7015.

CLICK HERE – To Learn about this Program

CLICK HERE – See if this is a good fit for your project