MN HF4749

Appropriates $200,000,000 in fiscal year 2023 to the Commissioner of Employment and Economic Development for grants to nonprofits experiencing financial hardship from the COVID-19 pandemic, with half allocated to the seven-county metropolitan area and half to areas outside it.

Eligible nonprofits must be 501(c)(3) public charities located in Minnesota, registered with the Secretary of State with no tax liens, and prove COVID-19 financial hardship through a 10% revenue decline, 10% expense increase, or direct impact from executive orders, but cannot be hospitals, private schools, credit unions, houses of worship, or institutions of higher education.

Establishes six grant categories with specific funding percentages and award amounts ranging from $50,000 to $150,000 per grant, including priority allocations for nonprofits outside the metro area, human services organizations by revenue tier, and culturally specific organizations.

Grants may be used for working capital including payroll, rent, mortgage, utilities, and similar regular operating expenses; requires a randomized selection process administered through the Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation and six Minnesota Initiative Foundations as intermediaries.

Commissioner must submit a report by December 31, 2023 on fund use; any funds not awarded by June 20, 2023 must be returned to the general fund; grants are exempt from certain state procurement and bidding statutes.