State Grants

The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED), through its Office of Adult Career Pathways (ACP), is offering the Women’s Economic Security Act (WESA) Competitive Grant for State Fiscal Years 2026 and 2027. The ACP supports Minnesotans facing barriers to employment by funding workforce training, wrap-around services, and educational programs that prepare individuals for family-sustaining wages, with a focus on eliminating racial disparities and increasing access to high-growth, high-wage jobs. This competitive grant program aims to encourage and assist women in entering high-wage, high-demand, and nontraditional occupations, particularly in skilled trades and STEM fields, thereby increasing representation and economic security for women. Funding totals $1.5 million statewide, with applicants eligible for up to $125,000 per year, or $250,000 total over the two-year period. Awards will be evenly split between SFY 2026 and SFY 2027. Funding must support activities aligned with WESA objectives, including recruitment, preparation, placement, and retention of women in nontraditional occupations; training and education; innovative outreach to girls and women; employer incentives; technical assistance; and supportive services such as childcare and transportation. Target populations include women of color, girls of color aged 16–17, women over 50, and low-income women, with priority given to programs serving women of color. Programs must focus on occupations meeting Minnesota’s high-wage, high-demand criteria or U.S. Department of Labor definitions for nontraditional careers for women. Eligible applicants include community-based organizations, employers, labor unions, business or trade associations with 501(c)(6) status, secondary and postsecondary institutions, workforce and economic development agencies, registered apprenticeship programs, and state, local, or Tribal governments. All applicants must have a Minnesota physical location open to the public, be in good standing with the Minnesota Secretary of State, and—if nonprofit—hold a recognized tax-exempt designation and be in good standing with the IRS. Each organization may submit one proposal as primary grantee but may partner on other proposals. Applicants must be able to comply with DEED administrative requirements, use Workforce One for participant tracking, and follow applicable state and federal regulations. Applications must be submitted as a single PDF via email to ACPgrants.deed@state.mn.us with the subject “WESA Application – [organization name].” The deadline is 5:00 p.m. Central Time on Thursday, August 28, 2025. Required forms include the cover sheet, narrative responses, work plan, budget, partnership chart and letters of support, conflict of interest disclosures, unemployment insurance account consent, nonprofit financial documents if applicable, and other attestations. Questions must be submitted in writing to Sarah Lee at sarah.lee@state.mn.us by August 21, 2025. DEED hosted an informational webinar on July 16, 2025, and recorded technical assistance sessions are available online. Proposals will be scored on a 100-point scale across seven categories: organizational capacity and experience, program description, implementation work plan, outreach and engagement, partnerships, performance and evaluation, and budget capacity. Reviewers will include DEED staff and community experts in workforce development, education, and relevant industries. Awards are expected to be announced October 8, 2025, with the grant term running from the date of execution through June 30, 2027. Grantees are expected to participate in onboarding, quarterly engagement sessions, evaluation activities, and monitoring visits, and to submit regular performance and financial reports. DEED may offer partial awards to ensure equitable geographic and community distribution of funding. Performance metrics will include job placements, wages, retention, and credential attainment. The grant also carries administrative requirements such as competitive procurement for large purchases, compliance with affirmative action and non-discrimination laws, and retention of records for at least six years. Contact Sarah Lee, ACP Program Coordinator, at sarah.lee@state.mn.us or 651-259-7307 for further information.

This grant provides funding to organizations in Minnesota to support adult residents facing employment barriers by offering training and resources for high-demand jobs, with a focus on promoting racial and economic equity.

This funding opportunity supports projects that enhance New Hampshire's natural environment through conservation efforts, targeting local governments, nonprofit organizations, schools, and community groups.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to local governments in Virginia for establishing new school safety personnel positions aimed at enhancing student and staff safety in public schools.

This program provides funding to community-based food banks in Illinois to improve access to nutritious food for adults by enhancing food offerings and implementing nutrition-focused policies.

This funding initiative provides financial support to specific Massachusetts municipalities to hire or retain police and fire personnel, ensuring enhanced public safety services in communities facing staffing challenges.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to nonprofit organizations in Arizona that advocate for long-term care facilities, enhancing their emergency preparedness and response capabilities.

This program provides funding to local governments, regional organizations, and Tribal authorities to develop and implement safety initiatives aimed at reducing roadway fatalities and serious injuries.

This grant provides technical assistance and funding to Kansas communities and school districts to develop and implement strategies that promote safe walking, biking, and rolling to school for students.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to organizations in Kentucky for the development, maintenance, and enhancement of recreational trail systems and associated facilities.

This program provides funding to local governments in Kansas for the replacement or rehabilitation of structurally deficient bridges on rural and urban local roads, enhancing safety and infrastructure connectivity.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to state and local governments for developing and improving outdoor recreational facilities in economically disadvantaged urban communities across the United States.

This program provides funding to local governments, schools, and other eligible organizations in Kansas to develop infrastructure for non-motorized transportation, such as bike paths and pedestrian facilities, promoting community engagement and sustainability.

This program provides state funding to local governments in Kansas for the replacement or rehabilitation of bridges in poor condition, enhancing safety and connectivity in their communities.

This program provides engineering assistance and funding to local public agencies in Kansas to address traffic safety and operational issues within their communities.

This grant provides funding to California local governments, educational institutions, nonprofits, and qualifying private entities for projects that utilize recycled tire-derived aggregate to address various engineering challenges and promote sustainable practices.

This funding opportunity provides financial support for municipalities and nonprofit organizations to implement community development projects that promote smart growth and environmental protection in the Adirondack and Catskill Parks.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to nonprofit organizations, educational institutions, and government agencies to enhance environmental education and maintain green infrastructure at public and charter schools in Washington, D.C.

This funding opportunity is designed to assist nonprofit organizations, faith-based groups, universities, and small businesses in the District of Columbia in improving energy efficiency and compliance for small buildings, particularly those that serve historically under-resourced communities.

This funding opportunity provides financial support for organizations to help mobile food vendors in Washington, DC transition from fossil fuel generators to cleaner battery-powered systems, promoting environmental sustainability and improved air quality.