01/16/2026
Applications are now open at the Department of Public Transformation for the Activate Rural Learning Lab! This is a $50,000 unrestricted grant. Applicants must be located in a rural community of 20,000 or less within Minnesota, South Dakota, North Dakota, Montana, or the Native nations that share this geography. More details below.
📣 Applications Now Open | 2026 – 2028 Activate Rural Learning Lab
Do you have a building, and a bold idea, for creating a creative gathering place in your rural community?
The Activate Rural Learning Lab (ARLL) is now accepting applications for its 2026 – 2028 cohort in Minnesota, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Native nations that share this geography.
ARLL is a 2-year, cohort-based learning experience for teams of artists, creative entrepreneurs, community activators, elected leaders, and small business owners working to activate buildings as welcoming, creative third places in rural communities (pop. ~20,000 or less).
✨ Selected projects receive:
– A $50,000 unrestricted grant to move their building activation project forward
– Monthly 1:1 technical assistance & curated support
– A supportive peer cohort network
– Storytelling + video documentation support
– Access to ARLL workshops & resource guides
– Travel + lodging for 2 team members to attend in-person gatherings & the Activate Rural Summit
We’re selecting 10 building activation projects that are community-centered, creatively driven, and ready to try something new.
🗓 Key dates:
– Applications open: January 5, 2026
– Info Session: January 21, 2026 (12 – 1 PM CST, recorded)
– Applications due: February 20, 2026 at 11:59pm CST
👉 Review the Call for Building Activation Projects, register for the virtual info session, and apply here: publictransformation.org/activate-rural-learning-lab
