Request for proposals: Regional Health Equity Network grant

On this page
RFP and materials
Important dates
Update on current applications
Informational webinars
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) invites funding proposals from community organizations, Tribal health departments, and local public health departments that will connect, strengthen, and amplify health equity efforts. Minnesota's public health partnerships can build on successes and address the clear inequities that have long existed and may have been more evident during the COVID-19 response.

The purpose of this request for proposals (RFP) is to strengthen regional and community partnerships that advance health equity. It is component of the Regional Health Equity Network project. It will fund activities and projects that shift conditions that hold inequities in place and open pathways to advancing health equity. All funded projects must intentionally build relationships that are foundational for successful public health partnerships.

Please submit any questions to health.ophp@state.mn.us.

• Regional Health Equity Network grant program: Request for proposals (PDF)
• Attachment C: Work plan template (DOC)
• Attachment D: Partnership list form template (DOC)
• Attachment E: Budget form and justification template (XLS)
• Attachment G: Due diligence review form (DOC)
• Attachment H: Applicant conflict of interest disclosure form (DOC)
• REDCap: Regional Health Equity Network grant application

September 26, 2022	Request for proposals (RFP) released
October 17, 2022	Last day to submit RFP questions
October 28, 2022	Proposals due (until 11:59 p.m.)
December 1, 2022	Anticipated start date of grants
First quarter of 2023	Release of next RFP

As of November 2022: Funding decisions on the Regional Health Equity Network grant applications will be made in early December 2022. Successful applicants will be notified mid-December at which time grant agreements will be negotiated. Once signatures have been obtained and grant agreements are finalized, the list of Regional Health Equity Network grantees will be posted on this web page.

Watch on YouTube:
Regional Health Equity Network RFP information webinar, October 5, 2022 (43:11)

Please submit your questions to health.ophp@state.mn.us. MDH will post answers here on Thursdays no later than 4:00 p.m. Central, through Thursday, October 20, 2022.

New questions as of 10/27/2022

• Q: After submitting the grant utilizing Redcap, will we receive a receipt notification?
  A: Currently, REDCap does not generate a notification after a submission. It is something that can be investigated in the future.

New questions as of 10/24/222

• Q: On Due Diligence form, question 15 asks about attaching financial documentation. Where and how do we attach this documentation?
  A: At this point there is no place to attach this, so no need to attach at application submission. MDH will work through this part of the process with funded applicants once funding decisions are made.

• Q: Would the purchase and retrofit of a vehicle as a mobile outreach office be an unallowable expense?  It wasn't clear if it was strictly "no vehicles," or "no client transport-type vehicles." A mobile outreach unit would essentially be an office on wheels used to reach our target population in far reaching rural areas, but not as a transportation resource.
  A: Purchase and retrofit would be considered an unallowable expense.

• Q: The first item/question on the application asks for "Applicant Legal Name." Is this referring to an agency/organization name or name of an individual?
  A: The legal name of the applicant agency/organization should be entered here.

New questions as of 10/20/2022

• Q: What is the expected frequency (and length) of ongoing Regional Health Equity Network meetings or gatherings?
  A: Regional Health Equity Network meetings and gatherings will be held throughout this project timeline (projected end date: 5/31/2023); however, the hope is for the regional meetings/gatherings to continue beyond that date.

• Q: The RFP states on page 33 that costs associated with providing direct services are not allowable. However, page 8 under Funding Category 3 – Amplify states an example of "extend funding for an existing Community Health Worker position". For the purposes of this RFP, are CHW services not considered direct services?
  A: Community Health Workers were included as an example because of the focus on building relationships. If you are seeking funding for a community health worker, please include how this position will support relationship building for the purpose of advancing health equity.

• Q: My organization is preparing a response to the Regional Health Equity Network Grant Program RFP. We are a multi-service organization with multiple locations. In the application, the second question is "What region of the state are you located in?" Can you provide guidance on how to answer this question: for the whole organization, for our main business address, or for the specific project that we are proposing?
  A: The question being referenced should be answered with the location of the main business address. The work plan is where you can indicate the community(ies) and geographic area(s) served by the project.

• Q: Can you please explain how to partner with a public health agency if the work we are looking to do is statewide vs. contained to one county/city? Can we partner with one county/city public health agency, but then expand our activities beyond that to reach more folks?
  A: Yes, you can partner with one county/city governmental public health agency and expand activities beyond that.

• Q: We are a community-based collaborative, if we choose to do a state-wide project, what kind of public health partnership entities you may request, if possible seeking MDH for support or couple cities and counties partnership would be okay?
  A: Nonprofit community-based organization applicants must partner with either a Tribal health partner or a city or county governmental public health agency. Please reference RFP pages 8-9.

• Q: Is there somewhere that we can see a list of past grantees with project summaries?
  A: This is the first time the Regional Health Equity Network RFP has been offered.

• Q: Can you use the funds to pay for new staff and then continue to pay that staff after May 31st with other funds?
  A: To use funds to pay for staff, the health equity work of that staff person would need to outlined in the work plan(s). This grant ends May 31, 2023.

• Q: If your grant in the first round is not accepted, does it make sense to submit a similar proposal for the second round?
  A: MDH intends to provide feedback to applicants not funded in the first round.

• Q: Would a federally qualified health center be acceptable as a health care partner for this effort?
  A: "Health care partners" are not referenced in this RFP. Nonprofit community-based organization applicants must partner with either a Tribal health partner or a city or county governmental public health agency. Please reference RFP pages 8-9.

• Q: The project category that we would be applying under would be Strengthen with the focus being strengthening internal capacity of our staff and furthering the objectives within our established Health and Environmental Equity Plan. We are wondering if community organization partners would need to be identified and referenced within our application, or if part of our submitted work plan could include steps to identify and contract with those partners for consultation, assessment and/or training services.
  A: It would be acceptable to include steps to identify and contract with partners for consultation, assessment, and/or training services in the work plan.

• Q: Can the documents that require signatures, such as from an Exec Director (like Conflict of Interest, etc.) be e-signed via DocuSign and then uploaded as attachments? (originally asked 10/14/2022)
  A: At this time, attachments should be uploaded in a MS Word or PDF format.

New questions as of 10/14/2022

• Q: Will there be an allotted amount of funding provided per region?
  A: No

• Q: For 2nd round, is there a 2nd bucket of $5M or is the $5M to be divided between the two application sessions?
  A: The $5 million in available funding will be for all application rounds or sessions.

• Q: Can a new organization use a fiscal agent to receive the grant?
  A: Please refer to pages 8-9 of the RFP for eligible applicants and partnerships. Organizations can partner to submit an application.

• Q: Does that mean when we request an amount, we should request the total amount we will need, or just money for the first round?
  A: Applicants should request an amount you anticipate needing for your project through May 31, 2023.

• Q: If you apply in the first round and don't receive a grant, can your application automatically be moved into the second round without writing a new application?
  A: At this time there is a not a process in place to automatically move unfunded proposals to the next round.

• Q: Are there overhead costs included?
  A: Refer to pages 30-31 of the RFP for information on the budget and budget justification; indirect costs (10% or less) are allowable.

• Q: Is the second round of funding intended for new applicants (those not funded in the first round)? If an organization is funded in the first round, can they apply for additional funds in the second round?
  A: The second round of funding was to create an additional opportunity to apply given the compressed timeline. An organization can submit more than one application.

• Q: Is the first time this grant has been offered for RFP? (If not, is there a place to see what/who was awarded previously?)
  A: This is the first time the Regional Health Equity Network RFP has been offered.

• Q: What I found in the budget: Indirect Costs (10% or less), is that correct?
  A: Yes, indirect costs (10% or less) are allowable. Refer to pages 30-31 of the RFP for information on the budget and budget justification.

• Q: Can the documents that require signatures, such as from an Exec Director (like Conflict of Interest, etc.) be e-signed via DocuSign and then uploaded as attachments?
  A: We are looking into this for additional information and will provide an answer when we learn more.
  Addendum 10/20: At this time, attachments should be uploaded in a MS Word or PDF format.

• Q: The RFP states that MDH will aim to have at least one grant in each region during each funding cycle. I just wanted to confirm - is this based on where the proposed work will happen? Or where the applicant is physically located?
  A: It would be based on the region in which the proposed work will occur.

• Q: In the Amplify section, we see we can request funding to extend an existing community health worker position. Are there credential requirements for staff? We have Community Health Navigators that do not have the formal credentials.
  A: No credential requirements for staff.

• Q: Can an organization that has not yet had its 501 c 3 approved, apply through another organization that is eligible?
  A: Please refer to pages 8-9 of the RFP for eligible applicants and partnerships. Organizations can partner to submit an application.

• Q: Can an organization apply for two grants if they have offices in separate regions?
  A: Yes; an organization can apply for two grants or can apply for one grant and include the work in each region in the work plan and budget.

• Q: Can we use some of the funding to offer events to the community, in conjunction with local public health?
  A: Project activities should be included in the work plan(s) and should support advancing health equity.

• Q: Could the local health board definition extend to Family Service Collaboratives, of which there are 90 in the State of Minnesota?
  A: No, Family Services Collaboratives do not fit the definition of a community health board.

• Q: How does this RFP support smaller community-based nonprofits?
  A: Nonprofit community-based organizations are eligible applicants.

• Q: Could school districts apply?
  A: No, not in this round of funding, please see pages 8-9 of the RFP for eligible applicant information.

• Q: Can the purchase of a vehicle (medical transit van), a wheelchair accessible van, be part of this grant request? (Our agency also provides transportation services to rural areas.)
  A: No, this is not an allowable expense.

• Q: What is the process of determining which organizations receive funds? Are those team members from MDH?
  A: Funding recommendations will be made by review teams. Review teams are currently being recruited from local public health, Tribal health, community members, and MDH.

• Q: Do budget items such as salaries for a staff person or travel /pay for staff to/from required meetings need to be in the work plan charts for the 3 categories- amplify, connect, strengthen?
  A: Yes, budget items should correlate to activities in the work plan(s).

• Q: Would a grant request for a specific sensory playground piece, ADA approved path and ramp to playground equipment and restroom be considered capital improvements or alterations and therefore ineligible?
  A: Yes

• Q: Can we apply for two grants serving separate geographic regions? The grants would be different scopes of work.
  A: Yes, eligible applicants can submit more than one application.

• Q: Can you please tell me if an organization that is not a 501c3 but is fiscally sponsored by a 501c3 organization is eligible to apply?
  A: Please refer to pages 8-9 of the RFP for information on eligible applicants and partnerships. Organizations can partner to submit an application.

• Q: Can a project apply for, and receive funds for both rounds for the maximum of $150,000?
  A: Yes

• Q: Does it have to be the same nonprofit lead applicant each round?
  A: No 

• Q: Do BOTH rounds have a current deadline of 5/31/22 for work being completed for the grant?
  A: Yes

• Q: If the deadline gets extended beyond May 31, 2023, will work for both rounds be extended to the same date? 
  A: Yes

• Q: Is a certain amount being reserved for round two, or is it possible that all funds will be granted in round one?  
  A: MDH intends to reserve funds to be available for the second round.

• Q: If the project aligns with more than one of the three areas (connect, strengthen, amplify) you still can only score a total of 5 points in the following line? "The project clearly describes how it relates to project category(ies): (5 points)"
  A: Yes

New questions as of 10/13/2022

• Q: I am working on my work plan and I am wondering if MDH is looking for four options to choose from for the equity grant work plan or if MDH is looking for one or two solid ideas to focus on with this grant?
  A: It is up to applicants to determine the scope of their project and capacity needed to implement; this should be reflected in the work plan(s). MDH does not have an expectation as to a minimum or maximum number of work plans submitted by applicants.

• Q: We share a common theme in how many organizations, in order to work on health equity, must first even have the infrastructure and organization readiness, to engage in building future partnerships advancing health equity.
  A: When looking at building internal capacity, infrastructure, and organization readiness look for opportunities to partner with others in capacity building activities. When building infrastructure and organizational readiness, plan for how that capacity building will lead to action.

• Q: Additionally, could the funding be used for internal organization changes/training with the goal of advancing health equity, or must projects be in partnership with an external community organization in order to be funded?
  A: When looking internal organization changes/training to advance health equity, it is encouraged to look for opportunities to partner with others on training opportunities.

• Q: We are discussing the grant and realize the turnaround time for the first cycle is about 6 months. When the second cycle that is due in January opens is there an estimated date to when those funds would need to be used by?
  A: The end date for all projects is May 31, 2023. MDH is exploring a possibility for an extension to use funds beyond May 31, 2023; but this cannot be assured at this point in time.

• Q: I see on page 7 of the RFP that applicants may choose more than one category (for example, Connect and Strengthen). I just want to confirm that both of these are okay to combine in one grant vs having to do a separate grant for each.
  A: Yes, one application may have activities reflected in one more funding categories (Connect, Strengthen, and/or Amplify).

• Q: We are wondering if we are able to stipend individuals for participating in the work of the grant (if they are not otherwise on paid time). "Support for individuals from populations impacted by health inequities to participate in planning efforts" is listed as allowable but "food, incentives, childcare" are not allowable.
  A: Yes, as stated in RFP, food, incentives, and support for childcare are not allowable. If funded, we will work with organizations to determine how support can be provided given your organizational constraints and limits of the CDC funding.

• Q: I am reaching out as my clinic is enthusiastically applying for the Regional Health Equity Network Grant. I had a question that I could not find the answer to in the RFP. Would you be able to share with me what the grant funds can and cannot be spend on?
  A: Ineligible expenses are listed on page 12 of the RFP (this is not an exhaustive list). Allowable and unallowable expenses are listed on pages 32-33 of the RFP (this is not an exhaustive list).

• Q: Do you want uploaded documents to be in PDF format?
  A: Uploaded documents can be in either PDF format or Microsoft Word. Applicants must ensure that all components/sections are completed and included in the upload.

• Q: Is it possible to apply for a statewide health equity network?
  A: We are unsure of what your specific ask is. If you could clarify your question and resubmit to: health.ophp@state.mn.us, we'll do our best to provide an answer.

• Q: Are we meant to include the Regional Health Equity Network coordinator as a partner in the proposal and include them in proposal development?
  A: Regional Health Equity Network Coordinators do not need to be listed on an applicant's Partnership List. As MDH staff, the Regional Health Equity Network Coordinators cannot assist with an applicant's proposal development. Funded applicants will be required to participate in their Regional Health Equity Network.

• Q: If there is a community partner who would be the lead applicant who serves the urban Indian population but does not necessarily report to one tribal health department or council, could they still apply?
  A: Yes and they still have the requirement of getting support from a Tribal partner for the proposed project; see pages 8-9 of the RFP.

• Q: Can you confirm the start and end date of the project?
  A: Anticipated start date is December 2022, however projects cannot start until all signatures are obtained on the grant agreement. The end date is May 31, 2023.

• Q: If we have aspects of Connect and Amplify which should we select?
  A: Applicants may select more than one funding category. It is up to applicant to determine under which category(ies) their proposal fits.

• Q: Has there been a needs assessment?
  A: We are unsure of what your specific ask is. If you could clarify your question and resubmit to: health.ophp@state.mn.us, we'll do our best to provide an answer.

• Q: The RFP states: Nonprofit community-based organizations applicants must partner with either a Tribal health partner or a community health board partner on their application and must be prepared to provide written verification that the Tribal health partner or community health board partner is a project partner, as requested, during the grant agreement process. Can you give an example of a Tribal health partner or a community health board partner in order to be eligible for this grant?
  A: Additional information on community health boards can be found here: Find a local health department or community health board: Community health boards and jurisdictions. Additional information on Tribal nation health departments can be found here: Find a local health department or community health board: Tribal nation health departments.

• Q: Clarification on what constitutes a community health board partner would be helpful.
  A: Additional information on community health boards can be found here: Find a local health department or community health board: Community health boards and jurisdictions.

• Q: Can you elaborate more on the type of activities?
  A: Example activities are listed on pages 7-8 of the RFP.

• Q: Can your project include more than one Minnesota Health Equity Network area?
  A: Yes, a project may include more than one Minnesota Health Equity Network region.

• Q: Also does partnership require to be working on health equity or we can use the grant money to build that with them?
  A: Funds can be used to build relationships or to build partnerships to advance health equity.

• Q: Will this grant work with new non-profit community centers that are starting new partnerships?
  A: Funds can be used to build relationships or to build partnerships to advance health equity.

• Q: If the work overlapped with multiple community health board regions, do you need support from each community health board?
  A: No, it would not be required.

• Q: Can large organizations submit more than one application?
  A: Applicants may submit more than one application.

• Q: Do you anticipate whether the next informational session have any different information? Should we be attending all?
  A: The same information will be shared in each RFP informational session.

• Q: Could you please clarify what you said about working with regional coordinators? We have work that will focus in one region but our main office and some of the work are located in a different region. In this case, how do we choose which coordinator to work with?
  A: Applicants can work with the regional coordinator that makes the most sense for your organization.

• Q: Does MDH have other grant programs related to health equity?
  A: Please see: 2022 Eliminating Health Disparities Initiative Request for Proposals.

New questions as of 10/5/2022

• Q: We are a 501c3 nonprofit organization. Would we qualify as a community-based organization?
  A: Eligible applicants include nonprofit community-based organizations, Tribal health departments, public health departments, and community health boards.

• Q: Can you hire new staff with funds through the RFP and does that mean that the funds must be fully spent on the staff by May 31st?
  A: Funds for salaries must be used for staff working directly on health equity work outlined in the applicant's work plan. Yes, funds must be spent by May 31, 2023.

• Q: Will you fund efforts to conduct outreach and relationship building conversations in different parts of the state?
  A: Outreach and relationship building are activities that can be supported with this funding. Applicants must demonstrate how the outreach and relationship building activities are supporting their health equity work.

• Q: Could we have clarity about how partnering with a local public health partner is defined? Does that mean local governmental public health departments or does it include nonprofit organizations too?
  A: Local public health partner is defined as a city or county governmental public health department within Minnesota; listing of local health departments or community health boards: Find a local health department or community health board: Local health departments by city/county. For the second part of the question, yes, it does mean local governmental public health departments. Nonprofit community-based organization applicants must partner with a city or county governmental public health department within Minnesota.

• Q: Will the RFP informational webinars be recorded and shared?
  A: Yes, MDH plans to record and share the informational webinars. They will be posted to the MDH Regional Health Equity Network grant page.

• Q: Is there a limit on the number of grants that will be awarded or the dollar amount of grants? If so, what are the limits?
  A: The number of grants awarded will depend on the total funds requested in submitted proposals. MDH intends to reserve some funds to be distributed in subsequent round(s) of funding.

  Funding	Estimate
  Estimated amount to grant	$5,000,000
  Estimated number of awards	Will vary per round
  Estimated award maximum	$150,000
  Estimated award minimum	$20,000

  Of the estimated total number of awards, MDH will aim to have at least one grant in each region during each funding cycle.

• Q: Would internal capacity building fall within the scope of this grant? For example, providing trainings on health equity and cultural competency to staff.
  A: Yes, internal capacity building would fall within the scope of this grant. However, it is highly encouraged to work with a partner to provide such training for staff from at least two or more organizations.

New questions as of 9/29/2022

• Q: Will you fund statewide collaborations under this grant or must it be confined to a specific region only?
  A: Statewide collaborations are allowable.

• Q: Please confirm the date the submit the grant is 10/28?
  A: Deadline for grant submission is October 28, 2022.

• Q: The end date of May 31, 2023 only leaves 6 months for health equity projects. Do dollars need to be spent by that date or encumbered? Is there a possibility of an extension?
  A: Funds need to be spent by May 31, 2023. MDH is exploring a possibility for an extension to use funds beyond May 31, 2023; but this cannot be assured at this point in time.

• Q: What should be our working definition of what is meant by a "local public health partner?"
  A: A city or county governmental public health department within Minnesota: Find a local health department or community health board: Local health departments by city/county

• Q: What should our working definition of a Community Health Board be?
  A: Find a local health department or community health board: Community health boards and jurisdictions

• Q: We've been engaging with a community partner who is interested in the equity funding opportunity. They are working with 3 counties. Would you recommend a partner apply with all 3 local public health groups in the counties or apply separately?
  A: Applicants with multiple partners do have the flexibility to apply separately or together. It is up to applicants and/or partners to determine the approach that works best for them and their partners.

• Q: A community partner is an LLC; are they an eligible applicant?
  A: At this time, eligible applicants would be nonprofit community-based organizations, Tribal health departments, local public health departments, and community health boards.