Small Sparks Grant program | Golden Valley Community Foundation

small sparks microgrants

GVCF's Donors are the heart of the Small Sparks Micro-Grants program, and a cornerstone of our mission. So many community favorites used a GVCF Small Spark to launch and grow. Thank You Donors! #DoMoreGood

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Small Sparks projects are activities and events that enhance the physical, cultural, and intellectual vitality of Golden Valley. Small Sparks Grants strengthen the community, encourage individuals to take action in creative and constructive ways, and draw upon the personal interests of the organizers. These grants are awarded for new and existing projects.

Based on demand these grants are currently limited to $1,000 or less per grant cycle.

Applications are accepted at any time, with grants awarded year round.

The Golden Valley Community Foundation serves as a steward for community building. Our grants are intended to be a catalyst for positive change in Golden Valley that:

foster community engagement and
provide recreation and/or
support the arts and/or
care for the environment and/or
bring visitors to the community to work, shop and play

As you complete your application, be certain that:

Your project is carefully thought out, with a scope of work, a plan of action, a budget for the project, and you have the individuals needed to implement it.
You have a realistic timetable for implementing the project.
Your application is completed and submitted within the prescribed time frame.
You will be able to provide information to the GVCF Board within 12 months of receiving the funds. You will need to verify the completion of your project, account for expenses, and share the outcomes of your work.
If you are a non-profit 501(c)(3), or public agency, you provide documentation of your IRS status.
Your project serves Golden Valley according to the Foundation’s purpose and community focus.
As part of the selection process, you, or a representative, may be asked to personally visit with members of the Golden Valley Community Foundation to discuss your project and answer any questions.
Based on demand these grants are currently limited to $1,000 or less per grant cycle. Applications are accepted at any time, with grants awarded year round as long as grant funds are available.

Briefly describe the purpose of the project or program, the need it addresses, the goal and how it benefits the community of Golden Valley.
How will you measure the success of your project?
Give the names, experience, and describe briefly the role of the individuals who will supervise or implement the project:
Geographic area to be served
Summarize your budget request:
Total project budget: $
1. Small Sparks Grant amount requested
2. Anticipated implementation dates (Show itemized project budget)
Are you planning to approach other funding sources? If so, please list:
If you do not get the full amount of your request, is your project still viable?
Have you submitted a prior grant request for funds from the Golden Valley Community Foundation?
Please describe any relationship, or interest, with members of the Golden Valley Community Foundation which might be considered a conflict of interest if not declared.

If, prior to completing your application, you would like to contact the Golden Valley Community Foundation (GVCF), to gauge the merit of your application, please contact us via email or leave a detailed message outlining your project, at 612-567-0086.
We value your dedication and appreciate your community building efforts. Please note, these funds are not meant to support general operating budgets, but to serve as sparks of creativity to enhance experiences of the end recipients in Golden Valley.

Based on demand these grants are currently limited to $1,000 or less per grant cycle. Applications are accepted at any time, with grants awarded regularly as grant funds are available.

COMMUNITY SUCCESS STORIES

The cornerstone of our work is our Small Sparks Microgrant Program. Small Sparks projects are activities and events that enhance the physical, cultural, and intellectual vitality of Golden Valley. Since 2012, our grant programs have strengthened the community, encouraged individuals to take action in creative and constructive ways, and drawn upon the personal interests of the organizers. These grants are awarded for new and existing projects.

pRISM

In addition to a $2,500 donation made to PRISM on behalf of GVCF, the Foundation matched any donations to prism up to $2,500 throughout November 2025.

PRISM, a non-profit serving the northwest suburbs is on a mission to provide dignity-centered resources for food, housing, and other basic needs. Based right here in Golden Valley, we're proud to support the work they do.

As a community foundation, we're able to quickly distribute funds during emergencies while consolidating donor collections and providing grants for our shared community.

program & grant recipients

1000 Families visual cultural exploration Families of Planet Earth
BeKind2People
City of Golden Valley Electronic Message Board on Campus
City of Golden Valley Recreation - Ghoulish Golf!
Covenent Village of Golden Valley - Artful Aging
Damascus Way
Evolve - Adult Encore Career exploration from VAN
Evolve - Re-igniting Self & Community - Adult Leadership
Global Golden Valley the Multi-Culture Celebration
Golden Valley Arts & Music Festival
Golden Valley Arts Council - Music and Movies in the Park
Golden Valley Arts Program of GVCF
Golden Valley Goes Global
Golden Valley Hall of Fame
Golden Valley Human Services "Run The Valley 5K/10K Walk/Run"
Golden Valley Human Services Fund
Golden Valley Lilac Project - Beautifying Highway 55
Golden Valley Orchestra - Young Person Concert December
Golden Valley Pride Festival
Golden Valley Schaper Park Accessible Playground October
Golden Valley's 125th Anniversary Celebration
Help at your door (HAYD)
Leadership programs
LIVE "Living in the Valley Events - Program Development
Margaret Beegle's Mini Orchards for Golden Valley
Market in the Valley - Golden Valley Farmer's Market
Market in the Valley farmer's market
Market in the Valley Partnership with Zenith Services
Martin Luther King JR. Day Celebration
Meadowbrook Calming Corner
Meadowbrook Elementary School - Community Service Night
Music in the Park Ice Cream Social
PRISM
Schaper Community Playground
Sweet Potato Comfort Pie Initiative
Traveling Fun Show - Interactive Musical Performances
Tree House
Twin Town Troubadours’ Travelling Fun Show
Valley Volunteer Day
YMCA New Hope
YSE (Youth Social Enterprise) - Connecting youth with business