In December, the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) submitted its report to the Minnesota legislature describing how it will implement the new Community Grants Program.
The DNR will offer two types of Community Grants: a Standard Community Grant for larger, more complex projects, and an Expedited Community Grant for projects already in development that can be completed within one year. The DNR aims to offer several rounds of expedited grants each year, while the standard grant will be open on an annual basis.
The first expedited grant application is expected to open this summer, and the first standard application is anticipated to open in the fall.
The Community Grants program will also come with additional support for grant recipients. Grantees will have the option to receive grant awards either on a reimbursement plan or an advanced payment plan, allowing smaller groups greater flexibility in managing funds. Grantees will also have the option to name a partner organization as a fiscal agent to help them manage the grant and administrative responsibilities.
As part of the Community Grants law, the DNR must appoint a Community Grant Advisory Council to assist with program management and recommendations, application review, and other duties. This Council will consist of 14-19 people, chosen through public applications, and will include members of diverse cultural, racial, ethnic, and geographic backgrounds, to ensure the program sufficiently represents the diversity of Minnesota’s communities.