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

2. 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
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3. 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.
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4. Grant Program Overview
$1 million in direct grants available
1st round of grant recipients announced in January
2nd round is open now
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5. Workforce Solutions Grants
Grant Size: Up to $25,000 Grant Term: Two years Round 1: Feb, 2017-Feb, 2019 Round 2: July, July, 2019 Matching Funds: Not required
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6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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

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

14. 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

15. 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

16. 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

17. 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

18. 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

19. 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

20. 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

21. WHERE can I access information?
Terri Foley 21