Feb 4 , 2008
For Immediate Release:
Second round of micro-grants awarded to commemorate Minnesota statehood
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)
The Minnesota Sesquicentennial Grants Review Committee considered 114 Round Two micro-grant applications on January 7 & 8 and the competition was substantial. More than $120,000 in funding was requested, but the Committee could award just over $40,000. To see a complete list of grant winners go to http://www.mn150years.org/grants.html
Minnesota's 150th anniversary of statehood promises a year of community celebrations, commemorations of historic events and opportunities to plan and prepare for a thriving and innovative future. Thanks to the hard work, planning and dedication of Minnesotans across the state and seed money from the Minnesota State Legislature, the Minnesota Sesquicentennial Commission has been able to be a catalyst for grassroots projects and events in every county, with both micro-grants of up to $1000 and legacy grants that average $5000.
Last month, the second round and final round of Minnesota Sesquicentennial Micro-Grants were reviewed. Constrained by a budget totaling just one third of the total amount requested for grants, the second round requests forced the Commission to make some tough decisions. In the end, 42 of the 114 grant proposals were funded. To see the full list of second-round micro-grant winners go to http://www.mn150years.org/microgrant108.html.
"Deciding what to fund and what to leave unfunded turned out to be harder than any of us could have imagined," said Minnesota Sesquicentennial Commission Grants Coordinator Megan Jung. "There were so many unique and interesting proposals; I think we all wish we could have funded every single one."
$325,000 of the total $750,000 appropriated by the Minnesota State Legislature in 2007 was designated to go directly back into communities across Minnesota in the form of grants. The Minnesota Sesquicentennial Commission divided the grant money into two categories: micro-grants intended for community celebrations and commemorations for the state's 150th anniversary and legacy grants of between $5000 and $7500 for sustaining projects born out of the Sesquicentennial which will live on for years to come.
The first round of micro-grants was awarded last fall (a complete listing of those grants can be found at http://www.mn150years.org/microgrant907.html).
For now, the grant program at the Minnesota Statehood Sesquicentennial Commission is closed, but that's not to say it couldn't be brought back to life. "We know there are a lot of great projects and activities out there that still need funding," said Minnesota Sesquicentennial Commission Executive Director Jane Leonard. "We would love to be able to help fund these projects if we can obtain more funding for Sesquicentennial Grants, either from private donors or from the Legislature."
Beginning in January 2008, the Sesquicentennial is a yearlong, statewide commemoration of 150 years of statehood and a catalyst to learn from our past and connect all Minnesotans in creating a thriving, innovative future.
The Minnesota Sesquicentennial Commission, created by the Legislature in 2005 to coordinate Sesquicentennial events and projects, selected four major theme areas for the 150th observances: Education, Innovation, Arts & Cultures, and Health & Wellness. In addition, they will be shining the spotlight on Minnesota's natural resources and our great outdoors heritage.
The Commission is joined in this effort by the Minnesota Historical Society, the University of Minnesota, and the Minnesota State College and University System as key players, along with Explore Minnesota Tourism, the Department of Natural Resources and other state agencies and private and non-profit partners.
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To find out more about these events or the Sesquicentennial year-long plans, contact the Sesquicentennial office at 651-297-1870 or 651-296-1872, or go to www.mn150years.org.