Public outreach grants

Lead organizations must be a nonprofit organization, public entity or Tribal Nation with experience in outreach, education, and/or technical assistance for employees, employers, and/or self-employed individuals.

Partnerships are encouraged and may include for-profit entities.

Minnesota ensures equity, fairness, precision and consistency in grant awards. The State of Minnesota grant programs are expected to intentionally identify how the grant serves diverse populations, especially populations experiencing inequities and/or disparities.

Priority populations

Proposals should aim to increase awareness and access among:

• Low-wage workers
• Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC)
• Immigrants and refugees
• LGBTQIA2S+ individuals
• People with disabilities
• Limited English proficiency (LEP) communities

All proposals must include a plan to:

• Engage with the Paid Leave Communications Team to ensure messaging consistency
• Make materials accessible to people with disabilities and LEP communities

Priority project categories

• Education: Fostering learning and understanding of Paid Leave through interactive, dynamic activities
• Outreach: Building awareness of and increasing equitable participation in Paid Leave
• Technical assistance: Providing individualized consultation services that eliminate barriers and increase equitable access to, participation in, and/or compliance with Paid Leave
  • One-on-one support to eliminate barriers
  • Assistance in accessing Paid Leave benefits

Competitive Priorities

The Public Outreach Grants program will be focused on awarding proposals that place an emphasis on one or more of the following themes.

1. Equity:

• Services are designed and delivered in a culturally specific, community-based methodology.
• The scope of demographic and/or geographic coverage is outlined and an explanation is provided for why it is a priority for Paid Leave Outreach.
• Knowledge of the community being served is demonstrated.

2. Collaboration and Partnership:

• Programmatic partnerships and collaborations between organizations are eligible and encouraged. The proposal must identify a lead applicant, who will be responsible for the implementation and administration of the grant and serve as lead fiscal agent. List all partner organizations that will contribute to the proposed program with or without compensation.

3. Likelihood to Succeed:

• Review criteria are based both on the programmatic requirements and on an applicant's ability to carry out the grant deliverables within the grant performance period.

Proposals will be evaluated on a 100-point scale:

Grant recipients receiving $25,000+ will undergo a financial and capacity review before awards are finalized.

Key Dates

How to apply

All applications must be received no later than 4:30 p.m. Central Time, on Friday, May 30, 2025. Late applications will not be considered.

Applications must be submitted through DEED's Grants Management System (GMS):

1. Register through GMS
   1. Have both state and federal tax identification numbers
2. Complete and submit the application
3. Upload required documents

For technical support, contact GMS.DEED@state.mn.us.

For application tips and support, see the Instructional support & application tips section below.

Applicants must:

• Register as a vendor with the State of Minnesota Supplier Portal
• Obtain a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) created in SAM.gov
• Adhere to prevailing wage laws if applicable
• Have current Unemployment Insurance account
• Comply with all state and federal requirements

Reporting and accountability

Grantees must:

• Submit quarterly progress reports and an end-of-year report
• Provide financial documentation for reimbursement
• Actively participate in evaluation and data collection efforts that assess the impact of this initiative
• Participate in annual monitoring visit

Allowable expenses

Grant funds must be used for the purposes of developing and providing outreach, education, and/or technical assistance.

Ineligible expenses include, but are not limited to:

• Fundraising
• Lobbying
• Taxes (except sales tax on goods and services as well as payroll tax)
• Out-of-state travel

For grant-related inquiries:

Additional questions may be submitted to PaidLeave.Grants.DEED@state.mn.us.

DEED staff will post responses to frequently asked questions at DEED Paid Leave Grants website by way of the FAQ page.

For technical assistance for the GMS, contact:

Grants System Administrator
GMS.DEED@state.mn.us

Need help navigating the application process? Use the resources below to set you and your organization up for success.

Application tips

• Register early: Set up your account in DEED's Grants Management System (GMS).
• Review eligibility: Make sure your organization meet the minimum requirements before applying.
• Check documentation requirements: Prepare your financial statements and letters of support from any partners early in the process.
• Stay within the character limits: Review the character limits for each application section. Keep your responses concise and relevant.
• Plan your budget: Make sure to include realistic and allowable expenses. Include a clear breakdown of partner allocations (if applicable).
• Highlight equity and impact: Strong proposals prioritize underserved communities and explain how your work will increase access to Paid Leave.

Instructional materials

• Public Outreach Grants webinar recording
• How to use the applicant portal

Supporting documents

• Contract template

Frequently Asked Questions