Applications are now open for the Stillwater Area Community Foundation’s Great Idea Competition.

The foundation will award up to $10,000 to a person, organization or business from the Stillwater area that is prepared to undertake a civic-minded project and needs funding to make it happen.

The competition is open to individuals, businesses, groups, city/county government, schools and nonprofit organizations, but competition guidelines are “intentionally vague to encourage creativity,” said Angie Pilgrim, the foundation’s vice president of community impact.

Past grant recipients have included projects that enhance public spaces, spark creativity and strengthen connections. Among them: a free summer youth farm program, public art murals, pollinator gardens, historic storytelling, and community-driven conservation work.

Last year’s winner was Union Art Alley in downtown Stillwater, “a creative placemaking project that transformed a neglected downtown alley into a joyful celebration of public art,” Pilgrim said.

The selection committee considers whether the idea is “innovative, enhances quality of life in the area, strengthens community connections or builds community pride,” according to the selection criteria. “As long as it benefits one of our local communities, the idea could be just about anything.”

Applicants must be a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, a government entity, tribal entity, or educational organization defined as tax-exempt — or partner with an eligible fiscal agent.

The idea must benefit a community in either Bayport, Baytown Township, Grant, Lake Elmo, Marine on St. Croix, May Township (including Withrow), Oak Park Heights, Stillwater or West Lakeland Township (north of Interstate 94).

The deadline is Sept. 15. The winner will be announced in October.

For more information, go to stillwaterareafoundation.org.