The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) is accepting requests for proposals (RFPs) from qualified organizations across the state for five competitive workforce development grant programs designed to increase economic opportunities for people of color, women, youth, people with disabilities and veterans.

“The goal of the funding is to address economic disparities and to make Minnesota a state where everyone – regardless of their background or skill set – has an opportunity to contribute meaningfully to our economy,” said DEED Commissioner Steve Grove.

Organizations may submit grant proposals for one or more of the five programs. Informational webinars will be available for all grant programs. RFPs are posted on the DEED website. Applicants must submit their proposals to DEED according to the RFP.

“Recent improvements to the grant-making process have been implemented in this set of workforce development grants, and we will be reaching out to service providers to make sure we are meeting their needs and staying aligned with our principles,” said Deputy Commissioner of Workforce Development Hamse Warfa.

Responses to frequently asked questions about the grant programs will be posted and updated weekly on DEED’s contract opportunities page.

Higher Education Career Advisors Pilot

The Higher Education Career Advisors Pilot (HECAP) is a Workforce Development program combining career and higher education advising. DEED is seeking proposals from responders to provide secondary school students with the information necessary for the student to select a career of interest that will provide them with a family-sustaining income and to develop a postsecondary education path to prepare for that career. The grant program may provide up to $237,500 per year; the maximum amount of funding that can be requested is $50,000 per year.Deadline: Applications must be received at DEED by 11:59 p.m., Fri., July 26, 2019.Technical assistance webinar: Mon., June 17, 2019, 1 p.m.

Pathways to Prosperity

The Pathways to Prosperity program (P2P) integrates basic skills education, career-specific training, support services, and employment placement and retention to meet the needs of adults. DEED is seeking proposals from responders to provide services under career pathways models through its Pathways to Prosperity adult workforce competitive grant program. The grant program may provide up to $11,396,000; proposals are limited to $450,000.

Deadline: Applications must be received at DEED by 11:59 p.m., Fri., July 19, 2019

Informational webinar or meeting information: Thurs., June 13, 2019, 2-4 p.m.

Women in High Wage, High Demand, Nontraditional Jobs

The Women in High-Wage, High Demand Nontraditional Jobs Grant program seeks to increase the number of women in high-wage, high-demand, nontraditional occupations. DEED is seeking proposals from responders to provide services that encourage and assist women to enter the skilled trades and STEM occupations. The program may provide up to $750,000 per year; organizations may apply for up to a maximum of $150,000 per year. Programs that encourage and assist women of color will be given priority.

Deadline: Applications must be received at DEED by 11:59 p.m., Fri., July 12, 2019.

Informational webinar or meeting information: Wed., June 12, 2019; 10 a.m.-noon.

Southeast Asian Economic Relief

The Southeast Asian Economic Relief Competitive Grant program addresses economic disparities in Southeast Asian communities. DEED is seeking proposals from organizations to provide services that relieve economic disparities in Southeast Asian communities through workforce recruitment, development, job creation, assistance to smaller organizations to increase capacity, and outreach. The program may provide up to $1,000,000 per year is available for grants; organizations may apply for up to $200,000 each year, for a maximum of $400,000 total.

Deadline: Applications must be received at DEED by< 11:59 p.m., Mon., July 22, 2019.

Informational webinar: Tues., June 11, 2019; 10 a.m.-noon.

Support Services

The Support Services Competitive Grant program focuses on low-income communities, young adults from low-income families, and communities of color. DEED is seeking proposals from organizations to provide support services for individuals, such as job training, employment preparation, internships, job assistance to fathers, financial literacy, academic and behavioral interventions for low-performing students, and youth intervention. The grant may provide up to $960,000 per year; the maximum amount of funding that can be requested is $100,000 per year.

Deadline: Applications must be received at DEED by 11:59 p.m., Fri., July 12, 2019.

Informational webinar for interested applicants: Mon., June 17, 2019 at 10 a.m.