Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund Coalition
Region
MinnesotaTimeline
2022 - presentMore than 77% of Minnesota voters across the state voted “yes” to renew state lottery dollars dedicated to the environment in November. Now, 40% of the state lottery proceeds will be directed to the Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund (ENRFT) to support environmental projects through 2050.
This critical funding source invests in projects that protect air, land, water, and wildlife across the state. More than 1,700 projects have been supported since lottery funds were first dedicated to the environment more than 30 years ago.
Thanks to work done by legislative champions Senator Foung Hawj and Representative Athena Hollins, BIPOC leaders, mainstream environmental groups, and Environmental Initiative during the 2023 legislative session, the yes vote also triggers the creation of a new ENRTF community grants program.
The new grant program will be funded by an additional 1.5% of lottery funds dedicated to the environment; an estimated $20 million in new funding. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will house and administer the new grant program.
Latest news
State lottery dollars were renewed by voters. What comes next?
Minnesota voters extended lottery funding for the environment in November. Explore what this significant investment means for air, land, water, wildlife, and communities statewide.
Ballot breakdown: How voting yes supports Minnesota’s environment
Minnesotans have a unique opportunity this election to renew critical lottery funding that protects our air, water, and natural spaces. Learn more about what's on the ballot and how you can help.
Collaborative policy victory: Lottery reauthorization for Minnesota
The Minnesota Legislature recently passed the Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund renewal bill. This important legislation will put a question before voters to reauthorize Minnesota State Lottery funds for conservation. It also creates a new $20 million per year community grants program.
Why a new grant program?
Securing ENRTF funding is a lengthy, complex, time-consuming, and resource-intensive process, meaning grant awardees are mainly large, well-established organizations. This creates barriers for Tribes, small nonprofits, and BIPOC-led organizations, preventing them from accessing state conservation dollars. Over the past five funding cycles, nearly 70% of available funds were distributed to state agencies and universities.
That is why we are focused on building a more equitable funding source so all Minnesotans can access stable funds to build capacity and address environmental challenges.
Our work
Environmental Initiative and Rainbow Research are convening regular conversations with the coalition of BIPOC environmental leaders and environmental groups who advocated creating the new community grants program. We are also working to raise awareness of this new funding source.
Project Contacts
Mike Harley, Rachel Geissinger, and Sam Grant, Rainbow Research, co-convene the ENRTF Community Engagement Working Group which is focused on developing an accessible Community Grants Program.
Contact them to learn more or to get involved.
Rachel Geissinger
Administrative Manager she/her Email Rachel Office: 612-334-3388 ext. 8122 Cell: 612-425-4928