The Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED), through the Office of Youth Development, is seeking proposals from qualified responders to the Minnesota Youthbuild Program.
Donor Name: Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED)
State: Minnesota
County: All Counties
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 08/15/2025
Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000
Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned
Details:
This program awards grants to organizations that provide targeted individuals with on-site construction skills training, safety training, and work experience on affordable housing or other eligible building or renovation projects. Other services provided under this proposal include employment preparation, case management, support services, career exploration, leadership development, and support to attain a diploma or GED and employment. Follow up services include placement in the building trades, registered apprenticeship or other career pathways employment, post-secondary education, or occupational training. Note: Construction Plus activities may also be provided by applicants with prior Youthbuild Program experience.
Funding Information
- The total amount of funding appropriated to the Minnesota Youthbuild Program is $1,000,000 for SFY 2026 and $1,000,000 for SFY 2027. The number of grants awarded will depend on the final funding amount allocated to the program by the Minnesota Legislature.
- DEED is permitted to retain five percent of the appropriation for administration and monitoring of the grant program. Therefore, up to $950,000 per fiscal year is available to be awarded to qualifying organizations. Final funding amount available will ultimately be determined by the Minnesota Legislature.
- The maximum amount of funding that can be requested by any single applicant for SFY 2026/2027 is $100,000 per fiscal year. Second year funding for SFY 2027, in the same amount as SFY 2026, will be available based on satisfactory performance in the first year. SFY 2027 funds will not be available prior to July 1, 2026.
Eligibility Criteria
- Eligible applicants or “eligible organizations” must be a public agency or nonprofit organization that can demonstrate an ability to implement a program for education and training services provided to targeted youth.
- Eligible organizations may include, but are not limited to, local government units (including tribal governments), public school districts, community action agencies, workforce development agencies, postsecondary educational institutions, alternative high schools, private nonsectarian schools, community groups, and labor organizations.
- Services provided under the MN Youthbuild Program must serve individuals from the eligible population in all of the following areas, as defined:
- Support to attain a diploma/GED.
- On-site construction skills training, safety training, and work experience on affordable housing or other eligible building projects.
- Employment preparation, including work readiness soft skills training, resume development, interviewing, and job search skills.
- Case management, counseling, and support services.
- Career planning, guidance and exploration, including field trips to union training centers, local businesses, and colleges.
- Leadership training, mentoring, and peer support.
- Placement and follow up services, with priority on placement in building trades registered apprenticeship or career pathways employment, post-secondary education, or occupational training.
Participant Eligibility
Proposals must serve young adults who are individuals meeting the following criteria:
- Between the ages of 16 and 24; and
- “Economically disadvantaged” or eligible for the high school Graduation Incentive Program; and
- In danger of dropping out of the school in the opinion of a school official or are not enrolled in school and have not earned a secondary diploma or its equivalent.
Economically disadvantaged youth Youth who are economically disadvantaged as defined in the rules and regulations of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act:
- An individual who received an income, or is a member of a family that received a total family income, that, in relation to family size, does not exceed the higher of —
- the official poverty level, for an equivalent period; or
- 70 percent of the lower living standard income level.
- Please visit DEED’s website for the current Income Eligibility Table that includes both Poverty Levels and Lower Living Standard Income Level
Other methods to determine economic status:
- Youth who are eligible to receive or are receiving Federal free/reduced school lunch are considered to be economically disadvantaged.
- Expected family contribution of “0” on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) qualifies a youth as low-income. •
- Youth is receiving public assistance (i.e., MFIP, TANF, SNAP, SSI, general, refugee or medical assistance). Being counted in the household of a family receiving public assistance qualifies a youth or young adult as low-income.
Graduation Incentive Program eligible youth
The following individuals are considered eligible for the Graduation Incentives Program:
- a pregnant or parenting youth;
- a youth with limited English proficiency;
- a potential or actual school dropout;
- a youth in an offender or diversion program;
- a public assistance recipient or a recipient of group home services;
- a youth with disabilities, including learning disabilities;
- a chemically dependent youth or child of drug or alcohol abusers;
- a homeless or runaway youth;
- a youth with basic skills deficiency;
- a youth with an educational attainment of one or more levels below grade level appropriate to age; or
- a foster child
For more information, visit DEED.
