Applicant Help Center
This page helps you find answers about the MN PROMISE Act application. Click a button below to view help articles on that topic, or use the search bar to look up specific information.
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What is the vision for the PROMISE Act?
We are a transparent steward of equitable distribution of resources that will empower and equip entrepreneurs in our most disadvantaged communities and enable them to prevail.
What are the guiding principles for the program?
Transparency: We strive to communicate clearly to applicants, partners, and the community.
Stewardship: We are cognizant that we are managing state dollars and do our best to be good stewards of these funds, including building an application process that is mindful of security and guards against fraud.
Equitable Distribution: We have made many efforts to make this process as accessible to the communities it is intended for, including providing 1:1 application support, providing the application and support in several languages, offering multiple grant rounds, and leaning on feedback insight from community partners.
Empower & Equip: We are giving businesses the agency to grow and scale their business. We provide resources that will walk applicants though everything they need to apply for a Minneapolis - Saint Paul PROMISE Act grant.
Disadvantaged Communities: The communities that are taken into consideration when drawing boundaries are small businesses who are located, or who operate in neighborhoods / communities that have been adversely affected by:
Structural racial discrimination
Civil unrest
Lack of access to capital
A loss of population
An aging population
A lack of regional economic diversification
Prevail: By spreading these funds to local businesses, it is fueling growth and opportunity in targeted communities. We aim to empower entrepreneurs and foster economic growth for local businesses.
What businesses are given preference?
Click here to visit the Grant Preference page to learn which businesses are prioritized for the MN PROMISE Act grant.
When will Round Two launch?
Round Two of the MN PROMISE Act Grant Program is expected to open in Fall 2025, but the exact timeline depends on final program guidelines from the State of Minnesota and the availability of funds.
📚 Want to get ready in the meantime?
How much money is available?
At the beginning of Round 2, we have approximately $50 million available for grant distribution.
During Round 1 in 2023, nearly $9.58 million was awarded to eligible small businesses and nonprofits across the Twin Cities.
This remaining funding for Round 2 will support a new pool of applicants who meet the updated eligibility and preference criteria.
➡️Click here to view Round 1 Grant Recipients
Is the program on a first-come, first-serve basis?
No. There will be multiple rounds with a specific amount of dollars. Not all dollars will be spent in round 1. NDC wants an equitable process for business owners to have an opportunity to access the grant application.
What impacts who gets an award?
Several key factors determine which eligible businesses receive a grant. The process is designed to be fair, transparent, and based on criteria set by the State of Minnesota.
Here’s what impacts whether a business receives an award:
📍 Where Your Business Is Located
Applications are compared to others in the same geographic area (e.g., South Minneapolis, St. Paul, Uptown, or North Minneapolis).
Each geographic area has its own pool of funding.
📊 Preference Score
Eligible businesses may receive up to 3 preference points to improve their chances.
You can earn points if:
Your business was in operation in 2021 (+1)
You received a total of $10,000 or less in COVID-19 relief grants from below programs (+1)
Minnesota Small Business Emergency Loan Program
Minnesota Small Business Relief Grants
County Relief Grants to Local Businesses
Minnesota Movie Theater and Convention Center Gr
You experienced a revenue loss over the last two years, based on tax returns (+1)
➡️ Click here to learn more about how grants are evaluated and how preference points work
⏱️ Funds Remains
Applications will be reviewed based on the date a fully complete and correct application is submitted.
As funds are committed over time to eligible and complete applications, later submissions may have less funding available. Timing matters but it’s just one part of the process.
🎲 Random Number
Every application is assigned a computer-generated random number to help break ties in a fair and transparent way.
This only matters if two applications from the same geographic area (like South Minneapolis or St. Paul) have the same preference score. In that case, the random number helps decide which application moves forward.
💡 Keep in Mind
Because funding is limited, not all eligible applications will receive a grant.
What definition of business are you using?
Sole proprietor
Single Member Limited Liability Corporation (LLC) – filing as a sole proprietor
LLC - filing as business corporation
Business Corporation (S-Corp or C-Corp)
Cooperative
Limited Liability Partnership (LLP)
Limited Partnership (LP)
Nonprofit corporation
How is "financial hardship" defined?
Financial hardship is defined as a year-over-year decrease in gross revenue or net revenue of 10%. To be considered, you will need to upload your most recently completed tax return and the return from the prior year.
For example: If your most recently completed tax return is for 2024, you must also upload your 2023 tax return. Please note that preference does not guarantee an award.
Are startups eligible?
Yes. In Round 2 of the MN PROMISE Act, startups are eligible to apply. The program now only requires your 2024 tax return. If your startup has filed a 2024 return and meets all other eligibility criteria, you can apply.
If you have not yet filed for that tax year, you must have submitted a tax extension for your most recent tax year (e.g., IRS Form 7004). You will need to provide either a valid tax return or proof of the tax extension as part of your application.
If you are still getting your business started and do not meet these criteria, we recommend checking out other small business support programs through organizations like NDC or DEED:
NDC | Neighborhood Development Center (ndc-mn.org)
Starting a Business / Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (mn.gov)
Am I in an eligible area?
Click here to view the eligibility map. The map highlights different eligible areas. Please follow the instructions on the page to check if your business address is in an eligible area.
You will be required to provide documentation to prove your physical business address. The document must be uploaded to the grant portal in PDF form. Only the four types of documentation listed below will be accepted.
Most recent year of filed tax returns
Utility bill (phone, TV internet, electric, gas, water, insurance) dated within 45 days of correct submission of your application
Current business lease or mortgage (signed, dated)
Business or professional (not personal) licensure
Bank statement dated within 30 days of correct submission of your application
If a commercial business, only the following documents will be accepted:
Most recent year of filed tax returns
Current business lease or mortgage (signed, dated)
Please note that P.O. Boxes and virtual mail service are not accepted as eligible addresses.
Are there exceptions to the eligible areas?
There are no exceptions to eligible areas for the PROMISE Act. The eligible areas on the website are based on the language in the law. If you are not eligible, we encourage you to advocate for yourself with your elected representatives. We have provided a script and instructions on how to do this here.
Does your business have to suffer from a loss in revenue in order to be eligible?
No, your business does not have to suffer a loss in revenue to be eligible. However, if your business experiences a loss in revenue, your application will be given preference per the law. Click here to visit our Grant Preference page to learn more.
What if I’m not currently located in one of the eligible communities, but am looking to open a store in one?
You must have a current business located in the community, as required by the legislation. If you plan to apply for the PROMISE Act grant and will have moved your business to an eligible location by then, you should have your lease and updated business documents showing the new address ready at the time of application.
Is there a minimum income/revenue requirement?
No, there is no minimum income/revenue requirement. However, the latest year of submitted tax returns will be used to determine the award amount. Click here to view how your award amount is calculated.
Does the revenue requirement include grants previously received?
The gross revenue reported must match what is in the tax filings submitted. Previous grants need to follow the IRS reporting rules associated with that grant program.
Are non-profits eligible to apply for the MN PROMISE Act grant?
Yes, non-profits are eligible to apply for the MN PROMISE Act grant.
Along with meeting all other eligibility criteria, a nonprofit corporation must also:
Meet one of the listed criteria:
Definition A: A nonprofit organization that earns 30% or more of their revenue on an ongoing basis through a non-tax-deductible sales or dues in a fee-for-service model similar to for-profit businesses.
Definition B: A nonprofit organization that earns 10% or more of their revenue on an ongoing basis through a non-tax-deductible sales or dues in a fee-for-service model similar to for-profit businesses AND demonstrate they maintain ongoing customer-facing operations at a permanent physical location at which some of those sales take place.
Be able to upload your IRS Form 990 or 990-EZ (Note: Postcard is not accepted).