MN SF4540

Establishes COVID-19 emergency community relief grants program to award grants through eligible nonprofit organizations (community foundations, Minnesota Initiative Foundations, tribal nations, CDFIs, and similar intermediaries) to individuals experiencing financial hardship from the pandemic.

Grants distributed to individuals must be approximately equal between metropolitan and nonmetropolitan areas of Minnesota.

Eligible individuals include those ineligible for unemployment benefits, receiving insufficient unemployment benefits, unable to access federal/state COVID-19 assistance, or unable to receive any such assistance (including visa holders, self-employed workers, tipped employees, adult dependents, and elderly or disabled individuals not receiving Social Security).

Individual grants capped at $1,500 maximum, based on household need and other available resources; funds usable for food, emergency household items, rent support, utility bills, and similar expenses, with rent and utility assistance paid directly to providers.

Appropriates $50,000,000 from the general fund in fiscal year 2020 to the commissioner of employment and economic development for a grant to the Minnesota Council on Foundations; appropriation available until June 30, 2021.