Trust Fund

Environment & Natural Resources Trust Fund

When you play, Minnesota wins!  That’s because proceeds from the Minnesota State Lottery help finance a variety of projects that preserve, restore, and enhance our state’s environment and natural resources. 

Each year, the Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund receives 40 percent of Lottery net proceeds, or about 6.6 cents of every dollar spent on lottery tickets. For fiscal year 2008, the Legislature appropriated $23 million to 31 projects based on recommendations by the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources (LCCMR). Since it began in 1990, the Trust Fund has financed a total of 414 projects worth $254 million. 

Lottery contributions to the Trust Fund totaled $30.6 million in fiscal year 2008. The remaining 60 percent of net proceeds is allocated to the state General Fund to pay for programs related to public education, health and human services, and public safety, among others.  Additionally, an in-lieu-of-sales tax on lottery tickets contributed another $21.7 million ( 6.5 cents per dollar spent on lottery tickets ) to environmental and natural resources programs in fiscal year 2008. This money was allocated for state and local parks and trails operations and maintenance, programs to enhance fishing and hunting, and the State’s three public zoos. 

For a look at some of the Trust Fund projects, see our Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund Photo Gallery.

2009 Trust Fund Projects

2008 Trust Fund Projects (to be updated soon)

2007 Trust Fund Projects

2005-2006 Trust Fund Projects

Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources

Trust Fund Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

For a county-by-county breakdown of older projects, see our interactive Minnesota Trust Fund map.