DEED, through its Adult Career Pathways Programs, is seeking proposals from qualified responders to provide services through the Drive for 5 Initiative Competitive Grants.
Donor Name: Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED)
State: Minnesota
County: All Counties
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 10/03/2025
Size of the Grant: $500,000 to $1 million
Grant Duration: 2 Years
Details:
Drive for 5 Competitive Grants must provide workforce development services, work-based learning opportunities, and job placement and retention in 1) Technology, 2) Labor, 3) The Caring Professions, 4) Manufacturing, and 5) Educational and Professional Services.
Priorities
It is the policy of the State of Minnesota to ensure fairness, precision, equity, and consistency in competitive grant awards. This includes implementing diversity and inclusion in grant-making.
Department of Administration, Office of Grants Management (OGM) Policy 08-02 establishes the expectation that grant programs intentionally identify how the grant serves diverse populations, especially populations experiencing inequities and/or disparities. This grant will serve persons from communities of color and/or low-income communities. Grant outcomes will include:
- Outcomes as required in Minnesota Statute 116L.98
- Outcomes as listed within the “Measurable Outcomes” section of “Form 3.
- Work Plan” in the application.
Funding Information
- Eligible organizations may apply for up to $375,000 each year, for a maximum of $750,000 total under the Drive for 5 – Industry Sector Training RFP.
- Awarded funds for SFY 2027 will be available 7/1/2026 through 6/30/2027.
Target Populations
Programs must serve adults at least 18 years old3, not enrolled in any K-12 school, Minnesota residents, who may face barriers to employment, and who need enhanced educational and supportive services to be successful in securing long-term family sustaining wages.
Participants enrolling in Drive for 5 – Industry Sector Training programs must demonstrate readiness for success in advanced credentialed or post-secondary level training.
All participants enrolled must be authorized to work in the United States and shall be part of one or more of the following target populations:
- Individuals of color
- Individuals lacking stable housing
- Individuals who are, or have been, justice-involved
- Individuals without a high school diploma or equivalent
- Individuals with disabilities
- Individuals who have been unemployed for 26 or more of the past 52 weeks
- Individuals with limited English proficiency
- Individuals at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Guideline
Eligibility Criteria
Applicant organizations and their partners must have a registration in good standing with the Minnesota Secretary of State. Nonprofit organizations must have 501(c)(3) status or other recognized tax-exempt designation and be in good standing with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). All applicants must have a physical location open to the public at designated times, in the State of Minnesota. These requirements must be met at the time of application and throughout the term of the grant.
Eligible applicants must be one of the following:
- Nonprofit organization
- State or local government units, including Tribal governments
- Community action agencies
- Business organizations, Chambers of Commerce or trade associations (with 501(c)(6) tax filing)
- Alternative secondary institutions or post-secondary institutions
- Labor organizations
For more information visit DEED.
