July 3, 2007
For Immediate Release:
MN leaders gather for Sesquicentennial briefing
Tane S. Danger
E-mail: tane@mn150years.orgSnail:
C/o Sesquicentennial Commission
240 Summit Ave
St. Paul, MN 5510
(651)-296-1870 (office)
(507)-469-1433 (cell)
Sesquicentennial Grants Program blasts off
More than 100 application inquiries totaling more than $1 million in requests were filed before the program’s official launch
Communities and organizations across Minnesota are lining up to apply for one of the Minnesota Sesquicentennial grants. In preparation for Minnesota’s 150th anniversary of statehood in 2008, the State Legislature just this year allocated $325,000 for the grants program and the funds became available July 1. “We had hoped for twice that amount,” said Jane Leonard, Sesquicentennial Executive Director, “but the proposed funding got caught in the last minute cuts the Legislature had to make.”
The grants will help communities and organizations across the state create sesquicentennial activities that are meaningful to local residents and at the same time emphasize or build connections between the local community and the state as a whole. Any non-profit or local government entity or school can apply for one of these matching grants to help make the Sesquicentennial memorable in every corner of the state.
The Sesquicentennial Commission is now accepting applications for two types of grants. Up to 150 “Micro-grants” will be awarded to communities and organizations proposing an activity, event or project to promote the Sesquicentennial. At least one micro-grant will be awarded in each county in Minnesota. Groups are encouraged to collaborate across counties, as the amount increases by number of counties involved.
The second grant category will be made available to entities conducting projects that create "Sesquicentennial legacies.” These “Legacy Grants” of between $5000 and $7500 each are intended to help with enduring creations that will continue to have impact beyond the Sesquicentennial Year into succeeding generations.
July 1st marked the official launch of the Grants Program but already 107 grants inquiries had been sent to the Sesquicentennial office totaling over $1 million in requests. The proposed projects would return over $3 million in local investment, more than tripling the state’s contribution. “But since we have just $325,000 available, we will continue to raise funds for additional grants because the willingness is so strong to use the Sesquicentennial as a catalyst for doing good in the communities around Minnesota,” said Leonard. For more information or to download a grant application please visit www.mn150years.org.