Request for Proposal

Minnesota Channel Overview

The Minnesota Channel is a strategic initiative of Twin Cities Public Television (tpt) designed to share the power of television with Minnesota’s finest non-profit and public service organizations – to amplify their impact by helping them reach a broader audience.  Through these partnerships, we create programs that broadcast on tpt channel 17 on Saturday and Sunday nights, and are also available simultaneously on local cable stations and satellite services.  The MN Channel is also a 24/7 over-the-air digital service on tpt 17-2. As of February 2008, the 24/7 digital MN Channel airs statewide though the stations of the Minnesota Public Television Association (MPTA).

A powerful feature of MN Channel partnerships is that we work together to create the content and ultimately the non-profit or public service partner (not tpt) owns the final copyright to the programs.  Thus, our partners are able to use the program beyond the on-air broadcasts in any way they choose and for extended periods of time – be that DVD distribution, web streaming, fundraising, educational outreach and more.

Grant Opportunity

Twin Cities Public Television is pleased to announce that we have received funding from The McKnight Foundation with the purpose of making programming on the Minnesota Channel accessible to non-profits and other public service organizations that might otherwise not be able to raise the funds required.

Grants will be awarded in amounts up to $5,000.  Depending on the nature of the program envisioned, additional funding support may need to be provided by the applicant. Typical production costs range from $7,500 to $20,000. 

Grant Application Criteria

If you are interested in receiving a grant for your organization, please provide the following information:

• Name of your organization
• Contact information
• Mission of your organization

And please provide a short narrative that addresses the following questions:

• Describe your organization and the community it serves.
• Describe any particular key initiatives you want to expand in the community.
• What are the key contributions your organization provides to the community?
• How does your organization measure the impact of your contributions to the community?
• What would your organization create if it had an opportunity to produce a television program based on your work?
• How would your organization leverage this program beyond the broadcast and into your day-to-day work (DVD’s, web, educational materials etc.)?
• What is the approximate time frame for when you would want to produce a program?

Online Grant Application

Use our online grant application form to complete the application process.

Have questions? Send them to us at: theMNchannel@tpt.org

Grant Timeline