Applicant Update: July 12th, 2024

Hi friend!

While Round One of the Grant program is now closed, our team's work is still in full swing! Along with our community partners, we are working hard on reviewing applications.  

While the timeline for Round Two is still being finalized, it is tentatively planned for late 2024. Want to start preparing? Our website has a list of information to get ready.

If you have any questions, please reach out. We’re here to help! 

Read on to learn more about how MN PROMISE Act came to be and the people behind the program!

Neighborhood Development Center

Do you know how the MN PROMISE Act came into effect? In 2023, the Minnesota State Legislature approved the program funding and was signed into law by Governor Tim Walz naming it the MN PROMISE Act and selecting Neighborhood Development Center to allocate the grant funds. Learn more about Neighborhood Development Center and the MN PROMISE Act team below! 

Neighborhood Development Center, launched as a non-profit in 1993 to address pressing needs in the community, provides the tools and resources entrepreneurs need to help realize their dreams. Today, NDC is a thriving organization with an ever-expanding mission to provide more services in more communities. As a nationally recognized model of community development done right, NDC’s programs have trained more than 5,000 low-income neighborhood residents write a business plan for their own idea. Neighborhood Development Center, believes in the power, drive and daring of local entrepreneurs to transform their lives and revitalize their neighborhoods. 

MN PROMISE Act Team

The MN PROMISE Act initiative would not be possible without the hard work and determination from our team and community partners. Each member brings unique talents and passion that drive this program. We’re so proud of this collection of dedicated people and their contributions. Meet some of them!

NDC Vice President of Business Services

Shahir Ahmed

Leading the PROMISE Act team is Shahir Ahmed, NDC Vice President of Business Services. With his long tenure at NDC, and deep experience supporting community entrepreneurs, we knew there was no one more suited to spearhead these historic efforts!

“We have successfully launched round one application submission and TA support phase in June and are currently finishing the review of these apps. Next phase will be to push the button on award selection process, conduct final thorough review and send batches of approved applications over to DEED. We anticipate the first grant dollars to be in the hands of applicants by the end of August. Thank you to all our Community Partners, DEED, NDC team and the exceptional PA team who have made this unprecedented opportunity possible!”

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Community Partner

Violeta Hernández Espinosa

NDC is honored to be working on this grant program alongside a host of community partners, including Violeta Hernández Espinosa of The Catalyst Coalition. Follow the link below to learn more about all our community partners.

"The Catalyst Coalition is proud to be a partner with NDC in this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to provide direct grants to small businesses. NDC has been doing a remarkable job to make the distribution of these State grants a collaborative and community-driven process with diverse partners, ensuring that we are attending the needs of the most underserved communities within the intended service areas."

All the best,

MN PROMISE Act Grant Team 

Neighborhood Development Center