The Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED), through its Adult Career Pathways Programs, is seeking proposals from qualified responders to provide services through the Women’s Economic Security Act Competitive Grant.
Donor Name: Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED)
State: Minnesota
County: All Counties
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 08/28/2025
Size of the Grant: $100,000 to $500,000
Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned
Details:
The Women’s Economic Security Act competitive grant recipients must provide services that encourage and assist women to enter high-wage, high-demand, nontraditional occupations, including but not limited to those in the skilled trades and STEM occupations, to increase the number of women in high-wage, high-demand, and nontraditional occupations.
Funding Information
- As authorized in the Laws of Minnesota 2025, $1,500,0001 for SFY 2026-2027 is available for grants under the Women’s Economic Security Act (WESA) Competitive Grant Program.
- Applicants may apply for up to $125,000 each year, for a maximum of $250,000 total.
Target Populations
Proposed services must serve women in one or more of the following demographics:
- Women of color (American Indian, Asian, Black, or Hispanic) 18 and older
- Girls of color (American Indian, Asian, Black, or Hispanic) age 16-17
- Women over age 50
- Low-income women (income less than 200 percent of the Federal Poverty Guidelines adjusted for respective family size) Priority will be given to programs that encourage and assist women of color.
Eligibility Criteria
Eligible organizations must provide services that encourage and assist women to enter high-wage, highdemand, nontraditional occupations, and be one of the following:
- Community-based organizations experienced in serving women
- Employers
- Labor unions and employee organizations
- Business organizations or trade associations (with 501(c)(6) tax filing)
- Secondary and postsecondary education institutions
- Workforce and economic development agencies
- Registered apprenticeship programs
- State or local government units, including Tribal governments
Applicant organizations and their partners must have a registration in good standing with the Minnesota Secretary of State. All 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.
For more information, visit DEED.
