There are several sources of funding available to Vintage Band Festival. One is individual gifts and donations. Another is corporate sponsorships and a third is grants from private and public institutions.
In 2008, Minnesota’s voters passed the Clean Water, Land and Legacy Amendment (Legacy Amendment) to the Minnesota State Constitution to: protect drinking water sources; to protect, enhance, and restore wetlands, prairies, forests, and fish, game, and wildlife habitat; to preserve arts and cultural heritage; to support parks and trails; and to protect, enhance, and restore lakes, rivers, streams, and groundwater. The funding is gathered through a very small percentage of Minnesota sales tax: 3/8 of 1%. 20% of these funds are distributed to the arts.
Vintage Band Festival has benefited greatly from these funds as a grantee of the Minnesota State Arts Board and also the Southeastern Minnesota Arts Council. Many other local arts organizations in Northfield and southern Minnesota have been recipients of grants provided by this funding as well.
In this funding cycle, VBF has received a $35,000 Arts Experiences grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board and a 2-year $10,000 grant for Operating Support from the Southeastern Minnesota Arts Council. VBF will receive one-half of the funds in 2026 and the other half in 2027.
VBF would not be possible if these funding opportunities did not exist. If this is important to you as a Minnesota resident, please thank your elected representatives and ask them to continue renewing this thoughtful and forward-looking legislation.
