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.
Building Improvement Grant Program
If you have questions, please get in touch with:
Oscar Corral
Business Outreach Specialist
612-601-6980
oscar@lakestreetcouncil.org
Overview
Type of Funding: Exterior Reimbursement Assistance and Exterior Improvement Grants
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: $2,500 – $15,000. 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 $15,000 in a calendar year.
Program Details
Eligibility
Who can apply?
Property owners
Commercial tenants (business owners/managers)
Non-profit organizations
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:
Eligible projects must have been completed on or after January 1, 2025.
Applicants can apply for more than one type of funding, provided the cumulative total does not exceed $15,000 in a calendar year.
Approved applications will have 9 months to complete the project.
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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Max Amount: $2,500
Exterior Reimbursement Assistance only
This includes items like security alarms, cameras, key fob entry system, and protective film.
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Max Amount: $15,000
Exterior Reimbursement Assistance or Exterior Improvement Grant
Only one bid/estimate is required.
The following will be provided by Lake Street Council directly: anti-graffiti coating, lighting, and an information mural plaque.
Projects can not be temporary and must last a minimum of three years.
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Max Amount: $15,000
Exterior Reimbursement Assistance or Exterior Improvement Grant
Two estimates from licensed, bonded, or insured contractors are required.
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Max Amount: $7,500
Exterior Reimbursement Assistance or Exterior Improvement Grant
Two estimates from licensed, bonded, or insured contractors are required.
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Max Amount: $10,000
Exterior Reimbursement Assistance or Exterior Improvement Grant
Two estimates from licensed, bonded, or insured contractors are required.
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Max Amount: $5,000
Exterior Reimbursement Assistance or Exterior Improvement Grant
Two estimates from licensed, bonded, or insured contractors are required.
Non-eligible projects include:
Security shutters, recurring costs of 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
Reimbursement Assistance
This is for smaller projects up to $2,500, after work is completed.
PLEASE READ:
All eligible projects can request Reimbursement Assistance of up to $2500 per project.
Eligible projects must have been completed after January 1, 2025, and within six months of today’s date.
Applicants can apply for more than one type of funding, provided the cumulative total does not exceed $10,000 in a calendar year.
The application requests the following information:
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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 Exterior Reimbursement Assistance are reviewed within 10-20 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
This is for larger projects up to $15,000, 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.
Applicants can apply for more than one type of funding, provided the cumulative total does not exceed $15,000 in a calendar year.
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.