Minnesota Youthbuild Competitive Grants Program

The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED), through its Office of Youth Development, is soliciting proposals for the SFY 2026/2027 Minnesota Youthbuild Competitive Grants Program. This initiative funds organizations that offer on-site construction and safety training, along with work experience on affordable housing and other eligible building or renovation projects. In addition to construction skills, funded programs provide employment preparation, case management, support services, career exploration, leadership development, and assistance for participants to obtain a high school diploma or GED and secure employment. Follow-up services aim to place graduates into building trades apprenticeships, career-path employment, post-secondary education, or occupational training. Applicants with prior Youthbuild Program experience may also provide Construction Plus activities. The program is funded through a legislative appropriation of $1,000,000 per year for SFY 2026 and SFY 2027. After DEED retains up to 5% for administration, approximately $950,000 will be available annually for distribution. The maximum request for a single applicant is $100,000 per year, with the second year contingent upon satisfactory performance in the first. The number of awards will depend on the legislature’s final allocation. All eligible expenditures must occur after full execution of the grant agreement. Eligible applicants include public agencies and nonprofit organizations capable of delivering education and training services to targeted youth. Examples include local government units (including tribal governments), public school districts, community action agencies, workforce development agencies, postsecondary institutions, alternative high schools, private nonsectarian schools, community groups, and labor organizations. Applicants must demonstrate the ability to provide services in areas such as GED attainment, construction and safety training, employment preparation, case management, career planning, leadership training, and placement into building trades apprenticeships or other career pathways. All proposals must serve youth ages 16–24 who are economically disadvantaged or eligible for the Graduation Incentive Program, and who are at risk of dropping out or have not completed secondary school. Economically disadvantaged status may be established through income levels, free/reduced lunch eligibility, FAFSA expected family contribution of zero, or receipt of public assistance. A dollar-for-dollar match is required, equal to the requested grant amount, in cash or in-kind non-state resources. Applicants should document matching and leveraged funds through awards, partner commitments, or official letters. Proposals will be evaluated on a 100-point scale, considering project design, goals and timetables, partnerships, evaluation and reporting plans, organizational capacity, budget detail, and work plan. DEED’s Commissioner will review recommendations and make final award decisions, prioritizing proposals that advance racial equity and geographic distribution. Applications must include the complete Youthbuild Application Packet, with forms covering project narrative, budget, partnership chart, matching funds evidence, performance capacity, conflict of interest disclosures, and applicable nonprofit documentation. Questions are due by 4:30 p.m. Central Time on August 8, 2025, and must be emailed to Nancy Waisanen at nancy.waisanen@state.mn.us. Applications are due by 11:59 p.m. Central Time on August 15, 2025, submitted as a single PDF to Youth.Team.DEED@state.mn.us. Late applications will not be considered. Awards are expected to be announced in early September 2025, with grant work beginning upon execution. Grant-funded activities are subject to state procurement rules, prevailing wage requirements for construction over $25,000, affirmative action and nondiscrimination laws, voter registration provisions, and DEED monitoring, including site visits and financial reconciliations. Quarterly narrative and data reports, along with monthly reimbursement or financial status reports, are required. The grant primarily reimburses allowable costs, with limited advance payments considered on a case-by-case basis.

Include all partner entities in the Partnership Chart, document matching and leveraged resources, and ensure all eligibility criteria are met before submission.