LeadingAge Minnesota Foundation Workforce Solutions Grant Program Round Two Application Process Overview 1

Grant Overview Part of $3M Grant from Margaret A. Cargill Philanthropies (MACP) Expansion and evaluation of Health Support Specialist Program Creation of online nursing assistant training program Establishes LAMF as a grant-making intermediary Lori 2

Workforce Solutions Grants GOAL: Improve the experience of care for older adults in rural Minnesota by funding emerging and proven workforce strategies that increase the quality, quantity and capacity of our caregiving workforce. Lori 3

Grant Program Overview $1 million in direct grants available 1st round of grant recipients announced in January 2nd round is open now Lori 4

Workforce Solutions Grants Grant Size: Up to $25,000 Grant Term: Two years Round 1: Feb, 2017-Feb, 2019 Round 2: July, 2017- July, 2019 Matching Funds: Not required Lori 5

WHO is Eligible? Provider members of LeadingAge Minnesota 501(c)(3) Organizations or Governmentally owned or For-profit with tax-exempt fiscal sponsor as applicant Located in rural Minnesota: Outside 7-county metro area Within 7-county metro w/ population 7,500 or less 6

Examples of WHAT is Fundable Caregiver Quality Caregiver Quantity Caregiver Capacity Mentorship programs Recruitment in schools On-line nursing training equipment and support Education & training programs Summer internships Technology for employee communications Supervisor training Retention specialist position Job redesign Onboarding upgrade International recruitment Family caregivers and volunteers 7

WHAT is Not Funded? General Operations Bricks and Mortar Projects Capital Campaigns Advertising Benefits, fundraisers, galas, etc. Direct scholarships to individuals NOTE: Capital expenditures that enhance the work environment or support a workforce solution are eligible e.g. training room, laptops, i-pads, onsite day care, etc. 8

WHAT is the Process? 2-Step Application Process: Request For Letters of Intent (RFLOI) Request for Proposals (RFP) Award Selection Process: Independent Review Panel Recommendation LAMF Board Ratification 9

WHAT is the Timeline? Feb. 6: RFLOI disseminated to members March 6: Deadline for LOI submissions March 8: RFP sent to eligible applicants April 7: Proposals due May: IRP selects grant award recipients June: LAMF Board ratifies IRP decisions Agreement letters and checks sent 10

WHAT are the Selection Criteria? Use of Funds: Demonstrates how grant funds will be used to advance grant program goals Innovation: Unique purpose or innovative solution based on a promising new practice, use of technology 11

WHAT are the Selection Criteria? Goals: Clarity and measurability of the project goals and outcomes Applicant Capacity: Achievability of results within the timeframe and budget indicated Sustainability: The ability of the project to become self-supporting after the grant term 12

WHAT are the Selection Criteria? Replicability: The extent to which project strategies can be implemented in other organizations or regions 13

WHAT are the Selection Criteria? Preference is given to: Home- and community-based settings; Acute caregiver shortage areas; Collaborations; Projects that support specific regional, ethnic and cultural approaches to the aging experience. 14

WHY should you Apply? Access seed money/financial resources for new or expanded initiatives Learn strategies from other grantees in cohort Collect and learn from results data Address a critical challenge in our field Why not? 15

HOW to Apply? Step 1: Identify a project that meets a workforce need in your setting/organization Step 2: Determine amount to request (Max is $25K) Step 3: Complete and submit the Letter of Intent 16

HOW to Apply? LOI Requested Information: Description of the Problem: What are the specific workforce challenges that your project addresses? Project Information: Tell us about the project and your goals. Use of Funds: Explain what project expenses would be covered by your request. 17

Grant Proposal Writing Tips Think like a reviewer. What would you want to know about a project before investing money in it? Consider starting with your Work Plan and then write the Project Description. Pay attention to Selection Criteria and Preferences in RFP. Show how your project meets those criteria. 18

Grant Proposal Writing Tips (cont.) Talk about How you will implement the project and not only What you want to do. Include relevant information from your Letter of Intent in your proposal. They are reviewed by different people. Think of each section as a building block to explain how your organization will be better when the project is completed. 19

Budget Narrative “Show your work” for your cost estimates, e.g. one laptop at $800, one iPad at $400 If you include Personnel expenses, outline the number of hours and the hourly rate you used Supplies or Fees: Describe how you arrived at your estimate – researched a quote or only a ballpark estimate 20

WHERE can I access information? www.leadingagemn.org/about/foundation/ Terri Foley tfoley@leadingagemn.org 651.659.1422 21