Nonprofits that serve Eden Prairie and have an innovative project to make EP better are invited to apply for a 2021 Brewfest Choice Grant, according to a press release from the Eden Prairie Community Foundation which administers the grant.
Attendees of the EP Foundation’s Prairie Brewfest event on Sept. 11 will vote on the Brewfest Choice Grants and decide which community needs should get $400, $600, $1,000 or $2,000 in grant funding.
“People who support the Foundation fill important needs in Eden Prairie,” Executive Director Mark Weber in the EP Foundation’s press release, “and this is an extension of that. This ‘people’s choice’ type of granting allows our supporters to learn about Eden Prairie needs and vote for whatever resonates with them as compelling.”
As described in the EP Foundation’s press release, when the Brewfest Choice Grants debuted at the 2019 Prairie Brewfest about 400 attendees voted. The 2020 Brewfest was canceled due to COVID-19. The craft-beer sampling festival returns 3-6 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 11, 2021 to Purgatory Creek Park in Eden Prairie.
Nonprofits applying for a 2021 Brewfest Choice Grant must have a project that benefits Eden Prairie and must submit an application on or before Aug. 2. The project should be capable of being implemented for $2,000 or less. Four finalists will be chosen by the Foundation’s Grants Committee and those four will be presented to Brewfest attendees on Sept. 11. The finalist application with the most votes on that day will get $2,000, and runners-up will be awarded $1,000, $600, and $400 respectively, depending on votes.
According to the EP Foundation’s press release, a short application for Brewfest Choice Grants has been developed to help reduce the application workload for nonprofits. Organizations wishing to apply are directed to contact Foundation Executive Director Mark Weber at mweber@epcommunityfoundation.org or (952) 949-8499 before applying to make sure their organization is eligible.
(Editor’s Note: EP Foundation Executive Director Mark Weber is a member of the EPLN board of directors.)