2025-2027 Underrepresented Cultural Studies Materials Grants

All eligible applications will be evaluated using a 100-point scale using the following scoring factors and weight criteria:

Project Details (25)

• Does the project concern a community identified in the enabling statute?
• Is the primary purpose of the project to create cultural and ethnic studies materials for an identified community?
• Which students are you attempting to reach with the project? Be specific with grade level, subject matter, educators, and number of schools.
• Does the project identify how the applicant will work with Minnesota educators and/or Minnesota school officials?
• Can you identify past success in creating cultural and ethnic studies materials?

Community Involvement (25)

• How were community members involved in developing this grant proposal?
• How will the community be involved in implementing and evaluating the success of the project?
• How were students from the community involved in the project?
• How have you successfully collaborated in the past with the community named in the enabling statute?

School District Involvement (25)

• How did you involve educators or school officials in the design and development of your grant proposal?
• How will educators or school officials be involved in implementing and evaluating the success of the project?
• If applicable, how will this project build stronger relationships between educators, school officials, and community identified in the enabling statute?
• How have you successfully collaborated in the past with educators and school officials?

Project Management (25)

• Does the project identify which individual(s) are responsible for ensuring the proper implementation, evaluation, and financial oversight of the project?
• Does the submitted budget align with the proposed project?
• Is the budget in MHC’s required template?
• Are itemized expenses detailed, clear, and consistent with Legacy?
• Is the evaluation process, including criteria and methodology, clear?
• If applicable, how will you ensure compliance with Minnesota competitive bid laws?

Applicants must submit a complete application to be considered. Applications contain the following sections:

• Application Contact Information
• Project Overview
• Project Alignment
• Project Narrative
• Project Budget
• Letter of Support

Please don’t submit any additional materials other than what is requested, such as binders or photos, in the application. Unrequested materials will not be reviewed.

Please make sure that your proposal only seeks funding for events and activities that are allowable. Minnesota law does not allow Legacy funding to be used for:

• Reimburse costs incurred before the grant agreement is fully signed,
• Start, match, add, support or complete any type of fundraiser,
• Support a benefit(s),
• Support investments (such as improvements, construction, property, or equipment),
• Purchase promotional giveaway items such as t-shirts, keychains,
• Fund out-of-state expenses, such as out-of-state travel and lodging and contractor expenses,
• Pay for expenses or other institutional overhead costs that are not directly related to the activities outlined in the project proposal.
• Food expenses when expenses are either (i) incurred during the planning phase of the project, or (ii) are not essential to the final program.
• Wages, salary, and benefits of staff for the time that such individuals are not working on the project.

• • MHC’s Grants Management Agreement with MN Department of Administration (OGM) (PDF)
  • Legacy Amendment
  • Budget Template (PDF)
  • Budget Template (Excel)
  • FAQs (PDF)