Gender-Neutral Single-User Restrooms Grant

The Gender-Neutral Single-User Restrooms grant program is administered by the Minnesota Department of Education and funded through state appropriations under Laws of Minnesota 2025, 1st Special Session, chapter 10, article 8, section 18, subdivision 5. This program reflects the department’s broader strategic commitment to ensuring that all students learn in safe, healthy, and inclusive school environments. By prioritizing infrastructure improvements that enhance accessibility and privacy, the program aims to address student health and safety needs through measurable facility upgrades in school buildings. The primary purpose of this funding opportunity is to support the remodeling, construction, or repurposing of school facilities to create gender-neutral, single-user restroom spaces. These improvements are intended to expand equitable access to restroom facilities for all students, including those who may require increased privacy or accommodation. The program is structured to ensure that the majority of funding directly supports physical infrastructure changes, reinforcing the importance of tangible, facility-based outcomes. Funding under this program is governed by strict allocation guidelines. At least 80 percent of awarded funds must be used specifically for the physical development of gender-neutral, single-user restrooms, including remodeling, construction, or repurposing existing spaces. Up to 20 percent of funds may be used for engagement and implementation-related activities, such as stakeholder outreach, planning, and program execution efforts that support the successful deployment of the facilities. Eligibility for funding is implied to include educational entities responsible for school facilities, such as school districts or similar governing bodies. Applicants may submit proposals covering multiple sites; however, funding is capped at 75,000 dollars per individual site, with a maximum total award of 150,000 dollars per applicant. A site is defined as a single physical building, and multiple schools located within the same building are not eligible to be treated as separate sites for funding purposes. The application process requires submission of a complete package via email to the Minnesota Department of Education. Required materials include a completed application cover sheet, assurances, a narrative response, and an Excel-based budget document. Applicants must also submit a separate budget for each proposed site. Additional documentation, such as a board-approved facilities plan, may be included to strengthen the application and can contribute to scoring, particularly in demonstrating project feasibility within the grant’s timeline and scope. The application timeline includes a question and answer period that closed on April 17, 2026, followed by a final application deadline of May 8, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. Central Time. Award announcements are anticipated in June 2026. While no explicit performance period is stated, awarded funds may be expended over a two-year period, indicating the expected timeframe for project completion and implementation.

Emphasize project feasibility and alignment with an existing facilities plan; ensure budgets are clearly separated per site and comply with funding caps; prioritize demonstrating how the project improves student safety and accessibility