Minnesota Capacity Strengthening Initiative

health.capacity@state.mn.us
651.201.5813

The Minnesota Capacity Strengthening Initiative will provide Funding to support community-based and faith-based organizations in strengthening their organizational infrastructure to be better equipped and prepared for success in procuring grants and contracts at the department and addressing health inequities across Minnesota. Organizations should serve people of color, American Indians, LGBTQIA+, and/or people living with disabilities. Applications from rural organizations are encouraged.

Objectives and project examples:

• Organizational partnerships to improve health outcomes:
  • Create meaningful partnerships with other organizations focused on social determinants of health including but not limited to food, housing, education, and employment opportunities
  • Gain specialized skill/expertise or support innovation to improve services for the community
  • Increase potential for diversified funding support
• Infrastructure improvement to be better equipped for success:
  • Develop a more focused mission, vision, and values and to build a diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) driven succession plan
  • Develop succession plans that build staff capacity to move into leadership roles
  • Increase opportunities for enhanced staff diversity
  • Create opportunities for community engagement in organization's decision-making
  • Implement payroll, database, financial, minor technological, or administrative systems to improve capacity
• Workforce development to create a positive impact:
  • Hire staff or consultants to assist with Infrastructure Improvement activities
  • Connect with resources that support in-house staff's professional skills development
  • Offer opportunities for staff to develop skills and attend training programs

Eligible applicants may include, but are not limited to:

• Community-based organizations
• Nonprofit organizations
• Faith-based organizations
• Tribal governments
• Social service organizations

Applicants must have state or federal recognition as a formal organization or entity, such as a Federal Employer Identification Number or 501(c)(3) status. Organizations or entities with a history of serving focus communities that do not have state or federal recognition may apply with a fiscal agent.

Award ceiling: $100,000
Award floor: $50,000
Project period: April 1, 2024 - June 30, 2025
Estimated number of awards: 20
Estimated total program funding: $1,832,000

Links to application instructions and forms are available on the program website.

Email completed applications to health.capacity@state.mn.us.