Healthy Start 2024 Funding Frequently Asked Questions

Eligibility

Currently our systems are only able to accept applications written in English. We continue to explore solutions to advance equity by expanding language access in our materials. Please note that you are welcome to contact our team via phone and we will connect you with in-house interpretation support.

Actualmente, nuestros sistemas solo pueden aceptar solicitudes escritas en inglés. Continuamos explorando soluciones para promover la equidad mediante la expansión del acceso idiomático en nuestros materiales. Tenga en cuenta que puede comunicarse con nuestro equipo por teléfono; cuando lo haga, lo pondremos en contacto con nuestro personal interno de asistencia de interpretación.

Hadda nidaamadeena waxay kaliya awoodaan inay oggolaadaan codsiyada ku qoran Afka Ingiriisiga. Waan sii wadeynaa sahaminta xalal si aan u hormarinno sinnaanta anagoo ballaarinaya ku helida luqaddo agabyadeena/qoraaladeena. Fadlan ogow in lagugu soo dhaweynayo inaad kala xiriirto kooxdeena taleefanka oo waxaan kugu xireynaa taageerka tarjumaada gudaha ah.

Use of fiscal sponsors is permitted. Fiscal sponsors must meet the eligibility requirements outlined below.

Tax-exempt, nonprofit organizations, that are not private foundations
Tribal Nations
Fiscally sponsored groups (Note: fiscal sponsors must be eligible organizations)
Applicants must be located in or serve Minnesota communities

Individuals.
Organizations that discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, national origin, citizenship status, age, disability, sexual orientation or veteran status.
Organizations that require membership in their religious tradition, or advance particular religious beliefs or practices including worship, instruction or proselytization (Faith-based organizations are eligible to apply if they welcome and serve all members of the community regardless of religious belief)

We believe that nongovernmental, community-based 501(c)(3) organizations are in the best position to work with their communities to do the work outlined in the guidelines. They often are the closest to the community members and have relationships that can help advance this important work. Government agencies can be partners, but not applicants.

Yes. Applications from current grantees are allowed. Each organization is allowed to submit only one Healthy Start application unless the organization is serving as the fiscal sponsor for another effort.

Yes.

If the Minnesota chapter has its 501(c)(3) status, it would be best to apply through the Minnesota-based entity. If only the national organization holds the 501(c)(3) designation, the only option would be to apply through the national organization.

Senior staff are defined as those with responsibility for staff and budget at the organization-wide level.

Yes, you are eligible to apply. The Foundation believes that those most impacted by racism are best positioned to identify and lead solutions. We also understand that leadership will look different in every community setting and applicant organization. We are looking for applicants that meaningfully engage their communities in all aspects of the planning and implementation of the grant.

The Foundation is committed to funding statewide and seeks to balance funding projects in Greater Minnesota and in the metro area. There is no formal target.

Projects providing direct medical care to children would not be a fit within this funding opportunity. The types of early childhood supports that would be a fit include high quality child care and early learning, early childhood screenings to identify potential social, emotional and physical health or developmental concerns, and family home visiting.

A proposed project does not need to address all three of these supports. An application can focus on one or more of these areas.

Applications should be focused on children from birth to 5 years old.

About the funding opportunity

The Foundation expects to grant a total of up to $1,000,000 in year one and an additional $1,000,000 in year two. Applicants may apply for grants of up to $100,000 per year and may apply for one- or two-year grants (up to $100,000 each year).

There is no preferred grant size. The maximum amount allowed, per year, is $100,000. The maximum amount allowed for a two-year application is $200,000. There is no minimum grant amount.

The Foundation will support organizations that have the strongest applications according to the guidelines, regardless of organization size. Please note, the Foundation typically funds up to 25% of an organization’s annual budget, up to the maximum request of $100,000 per year. In some cases, the Foundation may fund up to 50% of an organization’s annual budget.

Yes. Be sure to describe this expense in your budget.

There is no waiting period to apply for a future grant.

Sign up for our newsletter to stay informed about any upcoming funding opportunities.

The Foundation is committed to our grantees’ success. Throughout the grant cycle, your Foundation program officer will collaborate with you to support your efforts, build relationships and stay connected. We will offer opportunities to learn, network, and connect with other Foundation grantees, and provide individualized consultation and support.

Application Process

Enter your email address at the login screen and click Forgot Password. If you are in our system, you will receive an email with instructions on how to set up a new password. (Please be sure to check spam/junk folders.) If you do not receive an email, please use the Organization Register Here button on the login screen to set up your account.

All applicants are encouraged to carefully review the funding guidelines and to participate in the informational webinar. Applicants are also welcome to call or email Foundation staff to discuss their questions. (Contact information can be found on our website). Foundation staff cannot comment on the likelihood of an organization receiving funding based on their proposed project, nor can we help shape or write applications.

You must upload:

An organization budget
A project budget
Budget narrative

You may submit your own budget forms or use the budget templates available on the Foundation’s website.

Please note: If your application is selected for a site visit, you will be asked to provide your most recent audit (if audited) or most recent board-approved financials and the most recent IRS 990 in advance of the site visit.

The system allows you to save a draft of your application before you submit it. To go back to your draft application at any time, log into your account and go to:
My Applications > Foundation > In Progress

Budget

For the organization budget, please use the budget based on your organization’s fiscal year. For the project budget, note that the project timeline calls for a July 1, 2024 start date.

Timeline

There is no set time for planning.

Selection Process

Applications will be reviewed based on their strength relative to the guidelines and compared with other submissions. Every application is reviewed by Foundation staff. Community reviewers help determine a subset of applicants selected for site visits. Staff makes recommendations for consideration by the Foundation board. The board makes the final decision.

We visit a subset of applicants in order to learn more about them and their project. A site visit does not necessarily mean that an applicant will receive a grant.

About Early Childcare and Education

The Healthy Start page on our website offers more information about this issue, along with the following resources: