Community Innovation Grants

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Community Innovation Grants for Racial and Health Equity

The deadline for applications has now been extended to Feb. 1, 2023 at 5 p.m. (Central Standard Time). 

Learn more at Community Innovation Grants FAQ

Saint Paul – Ramsey County Public Health has multiple grants available for community-led organizations to work on innovative new ways to improve community health. The Community Innovation for Racial and Health Equity grant program will invest up to $30,000 in individual grants for capacity building, planning or implementation for community-led organizations, including those led by racially and ethnically diverse community partners, working to address common public health issues.

Applicants will propose programs or services that address Public Health's current Community Health Improvement Plan priorities. 

  • Racial and Health Equity (formerly “Health in All Policies”).
  • Healthy eating, active living, and tobacco-free living (SHIP).
  • Access to health care services.
  • Mental health and wellbeing.
  • Violence prevention.
  • Climate change.
  • Homelessness.
  • Opioid crisis and response.

Eligible applicants

Applicants must be a registered organization with the Minnesota Secretary of State or have a relationship with a fiscal agent. If you are using a fiscal agent, you need to include the fiscal agent’s name, information, and letter of support from the fiscal agent.

Eligible organizations can receive funding once per calendar year and will be required to respond to at least one CHIP priority based on the following areas of funding: ​

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Choose one funding area

Funding area Awarded up to Includes (but is not limited to)
Vision and Capacity Building (Service area 1) $10,000
  • Start-up cost.
  • Resources and supplies.
  • Operation.
  • Program design.
  • Relationship strategies.
  • Short-term development.   
Planning and Development 
(Service area 2)		 $20,000
  • Community outreach.
  • Program delivery.
  • Service launch.
  • Scoping.
  • Refining program/project concept.
Implementation and Evaluation
(Service area 3)		 $30,000
  • Analysis of program, project or service.
  • Program intervention.
  • Monitoring.
  • Qualitative and quantitative assessments.
  • Trainings. 

Apply by February 1, 2023

All application materials must be received by 5 p.m (Central Standard Time) on Feb 1. No applications will be accepted after the deadline.

Individuals needing an interpreter or individuals with a disability needing accommodation should contact the Procurement Specialist above.

Complete this application and submit to Ramsey County Procurement at: [email protected]

Apply now

Criteria and expectations

Applicants will indicate at least one CHIP priority in their proposed programs and services stated above. Applications will be evaluated based on how each proposal addresses the following requirements: 

  • Utilize funds to address Community Health Improvement unmet needs.  
  • Provide final narrative report and presentation to Saint Paul - Ramsey County Public Health (photos, quantitative and qualitative data). 
  • Provide monthly financial report (invoice, receipts, supplies, materials description).
  • Complete background check requirements as part of the notice of grant award or grant agreement terms. Background check requirements, if applicable, will be consistent with County criminal background check policy and procedures.
  • Reflective of the Saint Paul - Ramsey County Public Health's Racial and Health Equity Leadership Team's (R-HELT) principles and values.

Racial and Health Equity Leadership Team (R-HELT) principles and values

Since 2014, R-HELT has been advancing racial and health equity in Public Health by providing guidance in the planning, implementation and integration of racial and health equity work with the goal of decreasing racial and health disparities in Ramsey County.

Shared Vision: R-HELT values lived experiences and welcomes opportunities for those affected by inequities to identify solutions.  

Truth-Telling: R-HELT members are comfortable being uncomfortable, call out inequities and their root causes, use data and storytelling to uplift voices and support change.  

Long Term Commitment: R-HELT will continually reflect and be aware of community voices and work to undo forms of racism that produce gaps in racial and health inequities.  

Internal Reach: R-HELT will build and support the capacity of policies, programs and staff to use a racial and health equity lens in their everyday work.  

Community Outreach: R-HELT values open communication regarding department priorities, resources, barriers, and decision-making processes with community partners.  

Inclusivity : R-HELT will foster a work culture that supports and upholds racial and health equity to ensure people and communities have all they need to thrive. 

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Schedule

  Date Location
Grant webpage with applications goes live Dec. 14, 2022  

Applicant Technical Assistance Support Session #1
 

 Jan. 4, 2023
10 - 11:30 a.m. 

**UPDATE, due to weather**
Session 1 was held virtually through Zoom.

Join Zoom Meeting

Meeting ID: 984 8849 9723
Passcode: 409954
One tap mobile
+16513728299
Applicant Technical Assistance Support Session #2 Jan. 5, 2023
5:30 - 7 p.m.		 Rondo Community Library
461 Dale St. N.
Saint Paul, 55103
Questions due Jan. 10, 2023  
Answers posted Jan. 17, 2023  

Applications due

(No applications will be accepted after the deadline.)

Feb. 1, 2023
5 p.m., Central Standard Time.

  

Technical Assistance Support Sessions

Two sessions were held on Jan. 4 and Jan. 5 for applicants to learn more about the grant, process and ask questions. 

View presentation (PDF) 

Contact Us

Kyle Dean
Principal Procurement Specialist
651-266-8078

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