September 2019 – Volume XVII — Number 10
Compiled & edited by Deb Miller Slipek, Ann Treacy, and Jane Leonard
Also find online at: https://wp.me/pkVGJ-8Y

  • FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES
  • TRAINING/MEETINGS
  • OPPORTUNITIES
  • MISCELLANEOUS
  • JOB OPPORTUNITY

FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES

—Foundation for Rural Service Community Grant Program Grants to support a variety of local efforts to build and sustain a high quality of life in rural communities across America. Focus areas include business development, community development, education, and telecommunications. Application Deadline: Sept. 13, 2019.

— The Laura Jane Musser Fund is also offering funding through the Intercultural Harmony Initiative in support of projects that promote mutual understanding and cooperation among groups of community members of different cultural backgrounds. Project planning grants up to $5,000 or implementation grants up to $25,000 will be considered. New programs or projects in their first three years are eligible. Deadline: Applications will be accepted online through the Fund’s website from 9/16 to 10/16/2019. Click here to review funding guidelines.

— WALMART is offering grants for community-based projects that use a new approach for increasing access to healthier foods in regions and/or for populations that experience disproportionate rates of food insecurity.  Deadline: Letter of Intent 9/17/2019, Applications 10/31/2019.  Click here to review application guidelines.

—Kent Richard Hofmann Foundation Grants support community-based organizations providing direct services, education, or research in the areas of HIV and AIDS, with priority given to smaller communities and rural areas. Letter of Intent (Required): July 26, 2019. Application Deadline: Sept. 21, 2019.

— The US Soccer Foundation is offering grants through the Safe Places to Play program for field-building initiatives in the following categories: Lighting, Irrigation, and Sport Court. Eligible applicants include community organizations, schools, municipalities, and other groups that offer soccer opportunities to youth. Deadline for letters of interest is 9/27/2019; invited applications are due by 10/4/2019. Visit the Foundation’s website by clicking here to learn more about the application process.

— Nonprofit Infrastructure Grant Program. Applications are now open for Propel Nonprofits’ Infrastructure Grant Program! This program is aimed at supporting the missions of small, culturally led organizations by strengthening their infrastructure. The 2019-2021 cohort of grant recipients will be culturally led Minnesota nonprofit organizations and will be paired with technical assistance on financial administration courtesy of Propel Nonprofits.  You can find out more about the program in a blog written by Kate Barr, and you can check out the RFP over on the Propel Nonprofits website. The application is due by 5 pm on September 30, 2019.

— HUD is offering grants through The Continuum of Care Program for programs to quickly re-house homeless individuals, families, youth, and persons fleeing domestic violence while minimizing the trauma and dislocation caused by homelessness; promote access to mainstream programs by the homeless; and optimize self-sufficiency among those experiencing homelessness. Deadline:  9/30/2019.  Click here to review application guidelines.

— USDA Rural Development is offering REDL and REDG loans and grants to assist in the economic development of rural areas, including funds for healthcare facilities and equipment, telecommunications networks, and job creation projects.  Deadline:  9/30/2019. Click here to review program guidelines and to apply.

–The Rural Broadband Access Loan and Loan Guarantee Program (Farm Bill Broadband Program) furnishes loans and loan guarantees to provide funds for the costs of construction, improvement, and acquisition of facilities and equipment needed to provide service at the broadband lending speed in eligible rural areas. The deadline is September 30.

— Karma for Cara Foundation is accepting applications for Youth Service Project Grants.  Micro-grants of up to $1,000 will be awarded to youth age 18 and under for service projects in their communities.  Deadline: 10/1/2019.  Click here to visit the Foundation’s website and to apply.

— Whole Kids Foundation School Garden Grant Program Grants to support new or existing edible gardens at K-12 schools and nonprofit organizations. Application Deadline: Oct 15, 2019.

— Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Pioneering Ideas Brief Proposals  Grants for innovative projects that are working to build a culture of health, ensuring that everyone has access to the care they need and all families have the opportunity to make healthier choices.  Application Deadline: October 15, 2019.

—Minnesota Federal Lands Access Program Call for Projects The Minnesota Federal Lands Access Program (FLAP) Programming Decisions Committee (PDC) will be accepting project applications for the FY20-22 call for projects.  Due October 15th.

— Grants for Transportation of Veterans in Highly Rural Areas Grants for new organizations to assist veterans in highly rural areas through innovative transportation services to travel to VA medical centers and to otherwise assist in providing transportation services in connection with the provision of VA medical care to these veterans. Application Deadline: Oct 31, 2019.

— The Catholic Campaign for Human Development (CCHD) is offering grants to support organizations led by low-income individuals as they work to break the cycle of poverty and improve their communities. CCHD’s grant programs include the following: Community Development Grants support nonprofit organizations that are led by people living in poverty and work to address the root causes of poverty. Economic Development Grants support economic development initiatives that include the voice of the poor and marginalized in developing new businesses that offer good jobs or develop assets that will be owned by local communities. Grants range between $25,000 and $75,000. Deadline:  Pre-applications for both programs are due by 11/1/2019; the online application deadline is 12/15/2019. Visit the CCHD website for more information by clicking here.

–The Mental Health Safety Net Grant assists mental health centers and clinics that treat the uninsured. Funds will be awarded each year proportionally among all eligible programs, based on the total number of uninsured patients under the age of 21 served. The Legislature has appropriated up to $393,750 in Fiscal Year 2020. Funding will be allocated by formula, among eligible applicants. Step 1 Application due to MDH: Step 2 Budget due to MDH: 12 p.m., November 1, 2019. For more information please contact: Randi Callahan, 651–201–3860.

—America’s Farmers Grow Communities Project Farmers enroll for a chance to direct $2,500 to local nonprofit organizations that are important to them and their communities. Application Deadline: Nov 1, 2019.

—Annie’s Grants for Gardens Grants to develop edible garden projects that help connect kids to nutritious food. Application Deadline: Nov 1, 2019.

— HUD is offering grants to fund Service Coordinators to assist residents of public and Indian housing in making progress towards economic self-sufficiency, including the provision of job training, employment, adult education, housing, and health resources.  Deadline:  11/25/2019.  Click here to review application guidelines.

—Rural Health Network Development Planning Program Grants to promote the planning and development of rural healthcare networks in order to achieve efficiencies; expand access to, coordinate, and improve the quality of essential healthcare services; and strengthen the rural healthcare system as a whole. Application Deadline: Nov 29, 2019.

–The Home Depot Foundation’s Community Impact Grants Program provides support to nonprofit organizations and public service agencies in the U.S. that are using the power of volunteers to improve their communities. The program focuses on support for organizations that serve veterans in local communities, as well as organizations that serve diverse and underserved communities. Grants of up to $5,000 are made in the form of The Home Depot gift cards for the purchase of tools, materials, or services. Deadline: requests will be accepted on a rolling basis through 12/31/2019. Visit the Foundation’s website here to submit an online application.

—BNSF Railway Foundation Grants to organizations that operate near a BNSF railway line. Priority areas include health and human service organizations, programs that address chemical dependency treatment and prevention, spouse and child abuse, women’s and children’s aid, transitional shelters, hospitals, medical programs, youth development programs, and federally recognized tribes.  Geographic coverage: Nationwide in areas near BNSF rail lines. Applications accepted on an ongoing basis.

—Direct Relief Partnership Network A partnership program for healthcare facilities that extends medication access to patients who are unable to afford prescriptions, reduces procurement costs of medications and supplies, and leverages resources to foster healthier communities. Partner facilities order online from Direct Relief’s pharmaceutical inventory. Applications accepted on an ongoing basis.

—Discount for Rural Health Coding and Billing Specialist Online Course  Offers a 50% discount on an online self-study course for rural healthcare professionals to attain certification as a Rural Coding and Billing Specialist. Applications accepted on an ongoing basis.

—Josiah Macy, Jr. Foundation Grants dedicated to improving the health of the public by advancing the education and training of health professionals. Applications accepted on an ongoing basis.

—Rural Domestic Preparedness Consortium Training Emergency preparedness training and resources for rural first responders, offered both in-person and online, and provided at no cost. Applications accepted on an ongoing basis.

—Susan G. Komen Affiliate Community Health Grants Funding for breast cancer education, screening, and treatment projects that benefit underserved populations. Applications accepted on an ongoing basis.

—Stand Down Grants provide funding for events that offer homeless veteran populations a variety of social services designed to help them to reintegrate into their communities, such as housing, healthcare, and employment opportunities. Applications accepted on an ongoing basis.

—Strengthening the Tribal Response to Violence Against Native Women Training, technical assistance, and resources designed to help individual tribal governments and tribal communities strengthen the response to effectively address sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking. Applications accepted on an ongoing basis.

TRAINING/ MEETINGS

— Register for MACVB Annual Conference The Minnesota Association of Convention and Visitor Bureaus (MACVB) Annual Conference will be held Oct. 1-2 in Faribault. The annual conference, hosted by the Faribault Area Chamber of Commerce and Tourism, connects like-minded tourism professionals and provides an opportunity to gather for learning, networking and leadership. Whether you are a seasoned executive, a novice, or a small or large DMO/CVB, you will come away with new skills, ideas and tips that you can use in your daily work.

REGISTER HERE

— The National Development Council will offer a Mixed-Use Real Estate Finance course October 2-4, 2019 in Minneapolis, Minnesota.  Participants will learn how to finance mixed-use development as a way to catalyze “Main Street,” energizing it with shopping, dining, culture and entertainment. This course explores debt, equity and public/private financing tools available for Main Street redevelopment. Click here to learn more about the course and to register. Regular student registration fee is $825.  The early registration discount code is PD112MN19.

—Registration Open for 2019 Rural Arts & Culture Summit Registration is open for the 2019 Rural Arts & Culture Summit held Oct. 3-5 at the Reif Performing Arts Center in Grand Rapids.

–October 8-10 – MN Fall Broadband Conference. This three-day conference at the beautiful Grand View Lodge in Nisswa, MN offers learning and engagement on many aspects of the challenges and benefits of broadband access and use, from “Pursuing Broadband 101,” to digital inclusion tools and strategies for diverse audiences. https://wp.me/p3if7-52i

–2019 National Conference on Energy Efficiency as a Resource. ACEEE will host its tenth National Conference on Energy Efficiency as a Resource (EER) on October 15-17th in Minneapolis. Held every other year since 2001, the conference highlights the latest developments in the design and delivery of customer energy efficiency programs, and the regulatory mechanisms that help make them possible. Look for a robust discussion of the many issues facing utilities as they acquire and integrate this resource into their planning and operation. Registration information and further details here.

— Register for the Minnesota Scenic Byway Workshop.  The 2019 Scenic Byway Workshop will be held Oct. 15-16 at Eddy’s Resort in Onamia and hosted by the Lake Mille Lacs Scenic Byway. This year’s agenda includes topics that will provide information and direction for the continued sustainability of the Scenic Byways Program. To register, fill out the Scenic Byway Workshop Registration Form and submit it by Oct. 4. To receive the discounted room block rate, please make your lodging reservations by Sept. 30 by calling Eddy’s Resort at 320-532-3657 and use the code SCE1015. Questions? Contact Holly Slagle, state scenic byway coordinator, at 651-366-3623 or holly.slagle@state.mn.us.

— Join MN Compass for a series of FREE workshops in Northeast Minnesota where you can learn how to use the Minnesota Compass Build Your Own data tool to access data by city, county, region, school district, Economic Development Region, Minnesota House or Senate District, US Congressional District, zip code, census tract, and more. Space is limited, so register soon!

International Falls Thursday, Oct. 17, 12-1 p.m. Register.

Chisholm Wednesday, Oct. 23, 11 a.m.-12 p.m. Register.

Grand Marais Thursday, Oct. 24, 12-1 p.m. Register.

Ely Wednesday, Oct. 30, 11 a.m.-12 p.m. Register.

–2019 Gateway to Solar Conference. The Minnesota Solar Energy Industries Association (MnSEIA) will host its 6th annual Gateway Conference on Oct. 21st and 22nd. The event is Minnesota’s largest industry-led solar trade group conference focusing on growing the solar industry in the state. Held in downtown Minneapolis, the Gateway conference bills itself as providing “robust and in-depth educational opportunities while providing networking and exhibits in a relaxed, approachable forum.”  Read more.

— 2019 MCN Annual Conference! The Minnesota Council of Nonprofits annual meeting will be on October 24 and 25 in Rochester

— Register for Minnesota Resorts and Campground Association Fall Conference The Minnesota Resorts and Campground Association (MRCA) Fall Conference will be held Oct. 29-31 at Grand View Lodge in Nisswa.

–Hold the Dates:

OPPORTUNITIES

— Public Comment Period and Webinar: 2020-23 Strategic Plan and 2020-21 Affordable Housing Plan

We are pleased to release drafts of our 2020-23 Strategic Plan and 2020-21 Affordable Housing Plan for public comment.

  • The 2020-23 Strategic Plan provides our strategic direction for the next four years.
  • The 2020-21 Affordable Housing Plan is our business plan to implement the first two years of the Strategic Plan and includes key initiatives and estimates of resources that we expect to distribute.

Your feedback is critical for developing effective plans. Submit your comments tomn.housing@state.mn.us by 2:30 p.m. on Thursday, September 19.

— Intelligent Community Forum Applications. The Blandin Foundation held regional meetings to encourage communities to apply to become Intelligent Communities. https://wp.me/p3if7-5cm ICF publishes research based on the data provided by communities like yours around the world. The goal is to provide cities, towns and regions of all sizes with evidence-based guidance on achieving economic, social and cultural growth in the challenging digital age. Learn more to consider your community’s options.

–Applications Now Open for the 2020 Shannon Leadership Institute. Now is the time to submit your application for the James P. Shannon Leadership Institute! The mission of the institute is to nurture the creativity and vitality of community-serving leaders from all sectors.  It provides a structured and supportive place for community leaders to dive deep into the purpose of their work and the core values they want to exemplify, enhance their focus and effectiveness, and increase their sense of fulfillment. The deadline to apply for the institute isn’t until October. Head to their website for information about joining an info session, insight from alumni, and facts about the upcoming session.

–Bush Foundation Event Scholarships Interested in attending a conference but your organization doesn’t have the additional funds to send you? Apply for a Bush Foundation event scholarship! Head to the Bush Foundation website to find out more information about event scholarships and to submit your application!

—2020 Minnesota Census Jobs, United States Census Bureau

— Native American Congressional Internship A summer internship for Native American and Alaska Native students who wish to learn more about the federal government and issues affecting Indian country. Application Deadline: Jan 31, 2020.

— Udall Scholarship Scholarships for Native American and Alaska Native students pursuing careers related to tribal public policy, self-governance, native health, and the environment. Application Deadline: Mar 5, 2020.

–CO.STARTERS with the James J. Hill Center. Are you an entrepreneur but want a little help moving your idea forward? Learn more about the CO.STARTERS program, presented by the James J. Hill Center! This 10-week program equips entrepreneurs of all kinds with the insights, relationships, and tools needed to turn ideas into action. Over the course of the program, 10-15 entrepreneurs will meet one evening a week led by an experienced facilitator to help give you everything you need to launch.  Learn more about the program over on the James J. Hill Center website!

MISCELLANEOUS

— The Candidates and Rural Policy: A Quick Guide- Here’s a roundup of the candidates’ positions on rural policy and a sampling of their statements about rural. Read more

— GSA Provides Projected Timeline for Implementation of New Unique Entity Identifier Replacing D-U-N-S® Number. Beginning in December 2020, the D-U-N-S® number will be replaced by a “new, non-proprietary identifier” requested in, and assigned by, the System for Award Management. Learn more here. 

— Promoting Positive Mental Health in Rural Schools Provides resources and information to assist with the mental health training and technical assistance needs of schools, administrators, teachers, support staff, and others serving rural and remote communities and students. Profiles a rural student who faces a variety of challenges, such as food insecurity, limited access to providers, drug use, mental health, social isolation, and more.

— Age trends are transforming Minnesota  Minnesota’s ratio of working-age adults to older adults will continue to shrink over the coming decade, with potential implications for housing, transportation, and our workforce. Learn more in this month’s Featured Trend.

— The Evolving Policy Landscape of Telehealth Services Delivered in the Home and Other Nonclinical Settings Issue brief identifying key findings for state officials considering adopting new policies for home-based telehealth services. Describes Medicaid and Medicare coverage for telehealth services, including those provided in rural and Health Professional Shortage Areas, Critical Access Hospitals, and Rural Health Clinics.

— Three questions about internet access in greater Minnesota answered Accessing affordable and adequate broadband remains a challenge for some businesses and households in communities throughout greater Minnesota. Minnesota Compass explores the broadband landscape and internet access in Minnesota. Read the article.

— A new interactive tool from Pew’s broadband research initiative allows you to view, filter, and search all state policies pertaining to broadband deployment. Pew’s new and first-of-its-kind “broadband policy explorer” allows users to search by:  broadband programs, competition and regulation, funding and financing, infrastructure access, and definitions for speed, unserved, and underserved.  Access the tool by clicking here.

— The U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation has resources to help businesses prepare for and recover from natural disasters.  Disaster Help Desk for Business has resources for direct support from disaster recovery experts; click here to visit the Disaster Help Desk website.  Resilience in a Box Resource Guide is based on best practices designed to help educate business leaders on disaster preparedness and business resilience. This tool is available in Spanish as well as English and includes a list of Top 20 Tips that businesses can make use of.  Click here for Resilience in a Box.  An additional resource Disaster Recovery Quick Guides have tailored tips for small businesses looking to prepare and recover.  Click here for the Guides.

JOB OPPORTUNITY

–University of Minnesota Extension Seeking an Extension Educator The Tourism Center and Extension Center for Community Vitality are hiring a Community Economics and Tourism Extension Educator.The position will be housed in the Brained Extension Regional office, and will serve both the Central region counties and statewide for tourism programming. For information about specific Extension programs and initiatives, go to https://extension.umn.edu/community-development. Apply online at: https://extension.umn.edu/about-extension/careers (Job ID 332499).

EDITORS’ NOTE: As always — please send us items to post, comments, ideas, etc. You can send them to Jane Leonard at minntwin@comcast.net. And thanks for getting to the end of this month’s issue!