11/15/2016 4:00:00 PM
The $8.1 million equity competitive funding grants package – dispersed among 44 lead organizations that will work to remove educational and career barriers for Minnesotans – was signed into law by Gov. Mark Dayton last summer.
But the intricate process of soliciting community involvement, reviewing proposals, and determining who would receive the funds left a deep imprint.
“This was the first time that DEED has used review panels composed of community members to select funding recipients,” said Commissioner Shawntera Hardy. “The panels achieved our goal of ensuring transparency and diversity in the decision-making process. We will work to improve and implement this in other grant-making processes throughout DEED.”
Review panels – composed of state staff and community volunteers – selected funding recipients after reviewing $48.4 million in program proposals from 165 Minnesota organizations. Those who applied for grants could not be reviewers.
"I appreciated the intent to bring citizen participation and input into government spending,” said review panel participant Joe Kreisman. “I think that is a noble and important part of being a public service department that acts on behalf of the citizens.”
“This review process allows the public to understand that the department is working with and not against them,” Trang Nguyen added. “I am hopeful that this change will leave a positive impact on the communities and our state’s well-being.”
The programs that were selected by the review panels will provide services under six DEED programs: Pathways to Prosperity Program; Youth at Work Program; Women in High Wage, High Demand, Nontraditional Jobs Competitive Grant Program; Southeast Asian Economic Relief Competitive Grant Program; Support Services Competitive Grant Program; and Somali Youth Competitive Grant Program.
Additional information about the equity funding opportunities can be found on the DEED website.
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