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Minnetonka to run $50,000 Youth Climate Action Fund program; commission will help review microgrant applications
Summary
Minnetonka staff explained the Youth Climate Action Fund grant from Bloomberg Philanthropies that provides $50,000 for youth-led microgrants. Staff outlined eligibility (youth 15—24 plus a sponsoring organization), a September application opening, Oct. 16 deadline, and a commission review and selection role.
City staff described Minnetonka's selection for the Youth Climate Action Fund and outlined how the $50,000 award will be administered locally.
"We were selected as 1 of 300 cities, globally to participate," City sustainability staff member Ali told the commission, explaining that the Bloomberg Philanthropies-funded grant provides $50,000 to distribute as microgrants to youth-led projects. Ali said the program requires communities to allocate at least $40,000 to awardees and allows retaining about $10,000 for local administration.
Ali walked commissioners through eligibility and process details: teams must include at least two youth ages 15 to 24 who are Minnetonka residents or students at Minnetonka-area schools; eligible sponsor organizations must be legally registered public entities, nonprofits or charitable organizations that can accept funds and manage grant disbursement. Communities must award at least eight projects; microgrants can range from $1,000 to $5,000 per project.
The city plans broad outreach in July and August, to open applications in September and close them on Oct. 16. Staff will convene an internal review committee; the sustainability commission will review staff recommendations and select awardees, with a special commission meeting in October anticipated. Selected projects will implement work between November and April and participate in a celebration around Earth Day, staff said.
Commissioners asked about application support and coaching, budget oversight and how to help youth teams form sponsor partnerships. Ali said staff will host application support meetings, offer staff review and that Bloomberg requires monthly check-ins during implementation.
Next steps: staff will publish an interest form, promote the program to schools and community organizations, and return with a packet for a commission selection meeting in October. The commission did not take a final vote on awardees at this meeting.
