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This funding cannot be used for current operational expenses. However, if you are expanding an existing program—such as increasing the number of participants or enhancing services—that would be considered an eligible use of funds.
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No, there is no cap on equipment expenses. The only restriction is on administrative costs, which are capped at 10%. If you intend to allocate a significant portion of the budget toward equipment, you just need to clearly justify it in your budget and work plan.
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Yes, eligibility is based on the participants you serve, not just your headquarters’ location. However, in your application, you will need to provide strong documentation on how your programming directly supports social equity-eligible communities.
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Yes, but your application should clearly explain how participants from social equity-eligible communities will access your program, including details on transportation and outreach efforts.
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The key factor is the eligible community, not the farm itself. If a project supports reinvestment into early-stage farming communities—such as teaching new agricultural methods to urban farmers who meet the revenue threshold—then it qualifies. However, the grant does not fund revenue-generating operations. If the goal is to fund farm operations, that would be ineligible. If the project is an educational program benefiting early-stage farmers, that would qualify. Farming is just one of seven ways to qualify for social equity status. If the project supports an eligible community—such as funding a park renovation in a community with many small farmers—it could meet the grant criteria.
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In the application, you’ll need to describe how your project supports social equity-eligible communities. You can provide an address, and we have mapping tools to verify eligibility based on income levels, military-affiliated communities, and farming areas. You can also submit a narrative explaining how the project serves social equity applicants. If working with justice-impacted individuals, you may need data showing how participants reflect those communities. However, attendees of your sessions do not need to go through social equity verification.
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Yes, an organization can apply for multiple projects. However, the intent is to serve as many communities as possible, and funding is limited. While the program budget is expected to grow in future years, applicants should be mindful that funding must be distributed across many projects.
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Yes. Each project is intended to last up to one year. If an organization has a new eligible project that serves communities and supports social equity applicants, they are encouraged to apply again in future funding cycles.
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That decision has not yet been made. There is potential for increased funding, especially for organizations that demonstrate strong performance in their first year. However, the funding range for next year has not been determined.
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Yes, but it depends on the project and the amount of funding already received. If related, the funds should be included in the budget proposal to show how dollars are allocated. Preference may be given to projects serving communities differently than those already funded by ReCAST, but receiving ReCAST funding does not automatically exclude an organization from eligibility.
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Currently, the grant is designed for one-year, high-impact projects. Funding cannot be automatically renewed or extended beyond the approved work plan. Because this is a competitive grant cycle, any request for additional funds must go through another competitive process. This is mandated by law. Additionally, for this first year, the $1 million available must be allocated before the end of the biennium, or the funds will revert to the general fund.
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The grant pool is $1 million, with awards ranging from $50,000 to $200,000. This means there could be as many as 20 or as few as five grants awarded. Next year, the program expands to $15 million, so applicants not selected this year are encouraged to apply again.
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It depends. Minor modifications, such as purchasing a different brand of the same product, are allowed. However, significant changes, like switching from building a playground to purchasing a vehicle, would be outside the scope. Any changes made after signing the grant agreement would require an official modification process.
There are provisions around budget modifications, including thresholds for changes. These details will be included in the grant manual for selected grantees. Since this is a competitive grant process, modifications to the work plan will be limited.
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Yes, a 990 form is acceptable. The purpose of the requirement is to assess the organization’s financial stability and ability to fulfill the grant terms. However,
Minnesota Statutes, section 11.309.53(3) states that a charitable organization with total annual revenue over $750,000 must file an audited financial statement prepared by an independent CPA.
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Community groups or organizations that do not otherwise have legal recognition will need to partner with a fiscal sponsor/nonprofit organization for financial auditing and reconciliation processes.
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Churches are assumed nonprofit but are not required to submit a formal request to the IRS for 501(c)(3) status. If selected as a finalist and your church has not filed a 990 tax form, another avenue for financial audit will need to be discussed and required.
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Yes, this is the first year. The program was created by state legislation and funded through the general fund, not cannabis tax revenue. However, cannabis tax revenue does contribute to the general fund.
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There is no specific provision or scoring requirement for the number of individuals served. The focus is on ensuring the funds benefit eligible communities that have been disproportionately affected by cannabis prohibition.
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Yes, but the fiscal sponsor must remain the same for the duration of the grant.
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Yes, the key requirement is demonstrating that the individuals served meet the criteria. Organizations can use the provided mapping tool or submit internal data to confirm eligibility. The focus is on who is served rather than the specific geographic location.
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If it is one project targeting different issues, then yes, it is eligible. However, if you are proposing multiple separate projects, they would need to be structured as one cohesive project in the grant application.
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No, a match is not required to receive points. The budget and work plan section includes up to 15 points, but match funding is not a requirement.
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The grant cannot cover current operational expenses, but if you are expanding or continuing a previously funded program, it is eligible. If you are seeking funding for ongoing operations without expansion, it is not eligible.
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Yes, for-profit businesses are eligible. However, grant funds cannot be used for revenue-generating activities. If the project involves developing a curriculum for youth entrepreneurship, that is an eligible expense.
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Yes, as long as the supplies are for the youth development program and not for business operations.
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The organization submits the application and identifies the fiscal sponsor, who must remain in place for the duration of the grant.
