Building Improvement Grant Program
The Lake Street Council’s Building Improvement Grant Program offers financial assistance to businesses, non-profits, and property owners to make exterior improvements to commercial buildings.
Please look at all the information below to understand the eligibility requirements before applying.
The funds for this program come from different sources. The eligibility and maximum grant amounts are based on location and the type of project.
Overview
Type of Funding:
Exterior Emergency Repair Grants
Exterior Improvement Grants - temporarily unavailable
Application Deadline & Review Process: Applications for both types of funding are accepted on a rolling basis. Applications for our Exterior Improvement Grants are reviewed monthly by a committee.
Max Grant Size: $1,000 – $10,000. Please see the matrix below for the maximum grant amounts per project type. Applicants can apply for more than one type of funding assistance, provided the cumulative total does not exceed $10,000 in a calendar year.
Building Improvement Grant Program
If you have questions, please get in touch with:
Oscar Corral
Business Outreach Specialist
612-601-6980
oscar@lakestreetcouncil.org
PLEASE BE AWARE
The Exterior Improvement Grant is temporarily closed, and we are unable to accept new applications. This program is funded through an allocation from the City of Minneapolis; all funding has currently been committed. When the program reopens for a future funding cycle, we will update this page and announce it on our business newsletter.
Program Details
Eligibility
Who can apply?
Property owners
Commercial tenants (business owners/managers)
Non-profit organizations
*Property management firms are not eligible
Geographic and visibility:
All projects must occur on a site that is located within the Lake Street corridor, which is defined as the area bounded by West River Parkway on the east, 26th Street on the north, the border of Minneapolis and St. Louis Park on the west, and 34th Street on the south.
Projects must be visible from a public street or alleyway. Projects on the back of a building are also eligible, but must be safety and security-related.
Timeframe:
Applicants can apply for more than one type of funding, provided the cumulative total does not exceed $10,000 in a calendar year.
Approved applications will have 9 months to complete the project once approved.
Use of Funding
The menu below shows the list of eligible projects with the maximum funding amounts per project. The maximum grant amount is per calendar year, per address, and per project.
If you do not see the type of project you need to complete or have questions about eligible projects, please contact the Lake Street Council.
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Exterior Emergency Repair Grant: $2,500
One estimate from licensed, bonded, or insured contractors is required. -
Exterior Emergency Repair Grant: $2,500
One estimate from licensed, bonded, or insured contractors is required.Exterior Improvement Grant: $10,000
Two estimates from licensed, bonded, or insured contractors are required. -
Exterior Reimbursement Assistance: $2,500
One estimate from licensed, bonded, or insured contractors is required.
Exterior Improvement Grant: $5,000
Two estimates from licensed, bonded, or insured contractors are required.
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Exterior Improvement Grant: $10,000
Two estimates from licensed, bonded, or insured contractors are required.
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Exterior Improvement Grant: $7,500
Two estimates from licensed, bonded, or insured contractors are required.
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Exterior Improvement Grant: $10,000
Only one bid/estimate is required.
The following will be provided by Lake Street Council directly: anti-graffiti coating and an information mural plaque.
Projects can not be temporary and must last a minimum of three years.
Non-eligible projects include:
Security shutters, security systems, fencing, parking lot improvements, bike parking, trash and mechanical enclosures, interior window displays, pylon signs, temporary signs, roof signs, new construction, billboards, roofing, mechanical and HVAC systems, interior work, improvements to non-commercial buildings, landscaping.
Exterior Emergency Repair Grant
This is for smaller emergency repair projects up to $2,500.
PLEASE READ:
All eligible projects can request an Exterior Emergency Repair Grant of up to $2500 per calendar year, per address. Up to $1,000 can be disbursed immediately, with up to $1,500 available once the project is finished.
Eligible projects must have been started or completed after December 1, 2025.
Eligible projects include:
Glass and door repair
Window security film
Graffiti removal
Boarding up due to broken windows
Exterior lighting
To receive up to $1,000 upfront, applicants are required to submit the following documentation:
A before photo showing the damage.
A bid from the contractor showing the total project cost.
A current W9 for your business.
To receive the additional funds, applicants are required to submit the following documentation:
An after photo showing the completed project
For work requiring a City permit from the City of Minneapolis Inspections Department, a copy of the signed permit
A final invoice from the contractor or artist showing the total project cost.
Proof of payment paid to the contractor or artist.
Applications for the Exterior Emergency Repair Grant are reviewed within 3-5 business days.
If approved, no additional documentation will be needed, and you will receive detailed instructions on the next steps required to receive your funding.
Exterior Improvement Grant - temporarily unavailable
This is for larger projects up to $10,000, before work is completed.
PLEASE READ:
All eligible projects can apply to receive an Exterior Improvement Grant. These grants can typically pay between 50-90% of the total project, not exceeding the maximum amount.
Applications for Exterior Improvement Grants must be approved before the project begins and require at least two estimates from contractors or one from a muralist.
Applications are reviewed monthly, and if approved the funds will be disbursed with 25% provided immediately and 75% provided after the project is complete and all the necessary documentation is provided.
Projects must be completed within 9 months of approval.
After you submit this interest form, a Lake Street Council staff member will respond within 2-5 business days to confirm your eligibility and give you further details.
If your project is eligible, you will be required to fill out a full application that requests the following information:
A brief description of the project
A before photo showing the location of the project
The approximate date the work will begin and end
Estimate/s from the contractors or muralist showing the total estimated cost.
If approved, you will receive detailed instructions on the next steps required to receive your funding.