Round 2 Application Questions

Stage 1

You are starting Stage 1 of the Round 2 application for the MN PROMISE Act Grant Program.

Please note that eligibility does NOT guarantee a grant award.

Please note: any text that is blue and underlined is a link that you can click on

1. Please choose the option that applies

I am completing this for myself (go to the next question)

I am helping someone else complete this Stage 1 application Please enter YOUR information in the section below.

i. Advocate First name

ii. Advocate Last name

iii. Advocate Mobile number

iv. Advocate Email address

v. Advocate Organization*

☐ I am working with a local organization

i. Advocate First name  

ii. Advocate Last name 

iii. Advocate Mobile number 

iv. Advocate Email address 

v. Applicant Supporting Community Partner Organization 

vi. If you selected Other Community Partner please describe 

Applicant Information

2. Email address for all grant communication. Please do not edit or change this field.

3. Mobile phone number

4. Do you agree to receive text message alerts when you have a new email about your grant application?

Yes. I would like a text notification when I have a new email about my application

No. I will check my email directly to receive any communication updates

5. First Name

6. Last Name

7. Date of Birth

8. Home street address

9. Is this a multi-unit building? (e.g., apartment, condo, duplex)

Yes

i. Please provide the Unit/Apartment/Suite number:

No

10. Home City

11. Home Zip Code

Business or Nonprofit Information


12. Full Legal Business or Nonprofit Name
Please specify the entire, full legal name of the organization you are applying for. *If a Sole Proprietor, use your full legal first and last name as entered in the section above.

13. How is this business/nonprofit structured?

Sole Proprietor

Single Member LLC

Limited Liability Company filing as a corporation

Business Corporation

Cooperative

Limited Liability Partnership

Limited Partnership

Nonprofit Corporation

If selected "Nonprofit Corporation"

Does your nonprofit meet one of these 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.

i. Definition A

ii. Definition B

iii. Neither

Will you be able to upload IRS Form 990 or 990-EZ? A 990 postcard will NOT be accepted

i. Yes

ii. No

14. Business Street Address
If the physical location of your business is your residence, your business address should match your home address. This is the address that must be in the eligible MN PROMISE Act geography.

15. Business City

16. Business Zip Code

17. Is your business address different than from home address? If you proceed to the next stage, you will be asked to provide a document to prove your home address.

Yes

No

18. Is this the address of a PO Box or virtual mail service?

Yes

No

19. What type of physical space does your business primarily operate from? Please note that your current business location must be in an eligible MN PROMISE Act geography. Physical space means the principal place of business where the individuals who manage the business's day-to-day operations spend most working hours. Select the option that best describes your current business location.

Home-based (operating from a residence)

Retail storefront (open to the public)

Office space (private or shared, not open to the public)

Co-working space (shared workspace with other businesses)

Commercial kitchen (shared or private kitchen space used for food production)

Industrial or warehouse space (used for manufacturing, storage, etc.)

Agricultural, including homesteads (farms or agricultural properties with a homestead classification)

Online only (this must match your home address)

Mobile or non-fixed location (transportation service provider, onsite professional services)

Other (please specify): ____________

If selected "Home-based," "Mobile," or "Online"

20. Have you claimed a home-based business deduction with the federal IRS for expenses related to the use of your home for business purposes under Section 280A(c)(1) of the Internal Revenue Code? Click here for more information.

Yes

No

21. Please provide a brief description of your business, including the services or products you offer, and your primary goals.

22. Are at least 50% of your business’s employees based in Minnesota?

Yes

No

23. Did your business or nonprofit file 2024 taxes? If you proceed, you will be asked to submit your 2024 tax return.

Yes

No

i. Did your business or nonprofit file for a tax extension for your most recent tax year? (For example, IRS Form 7004 is commonly used by businesses.) If you proceed, you will be required to submit your tax return.

Yes

No

24. Was your gross annual revenue $750,000 or less in your most recently completed tax year?

Yes

No

25. Will your business or nonprofit maintain operations throughout 2025? Answering "Yes" does not guarantee that you will receive a grant award. 

Yes

No

26. Did you receive a MN PROMISE Act Grant in Round One?

Yes

No

I'm not sure / I don't know

27. Looking at all the documentation you will need to provide, do you anticipate needing support to complete your application?

Yes

i. What is your preferred language support in?

English

Somali

Spanish

Hmong

Oromo

Other

Enter other language

No

28. How did you hear about the grant?

Stage 2: Eligibility Verification

Please note that eligibility does NOT guarantee a grant award. Note: Applicants will be able to make changes to their Stage 2 application, and their responses will be mapped from HubSpot Stage 1 application.

Please click the ➕ to see additional details.

  • Please choose the option that applies

    I am completing this for myself

    I am helping someone else complete this Stage 1 application Please enter YOUR information in the section below.

    i. Advocate First name

    ii. Advocate Last name

    iii. Advocate Mobile number

    iv. Advocate Email address

    v. Advocate Organization*

  • If awarded, Primary means you have the legal authority to sign the Grant Agreement Letter.

    Please list the primary business owner who owns at least 20% of the business. For a nonprofit, list an executive director. This person should be the one connected to the email and phone number listed on the Stage 1 application. This should be the same information you enter here.

    1. First name (this should be the same name that was listed on the Stage 1 application)

    2. Last name (this should be the same name that was listed on the Stage 1 application)

    3. Contact Email (this should be the same email listed on the stage 1 application, and the one where you received this application link. Please do not edit this field.)

    4. Date of Birth

    5. Mobile Phone Number

    6. Home address

    7. Suite/Apt number

    8. Home city

    9. Home zip code

  • 10. How is this business/nonprofit structured?

    Sole Proprietor

    Single Member LLC

    What is your TIN?

    Limited Liability Company filing as a corporation

    Business Corporation

    Cooperative

    Limited Liability Partnership

    Limited Partnership

    Nonprofit Corporation

    i. What is your Minnesota Tax ID?

  • 11. Full Legal Name of the Business *Enter the complete legal name of the sole proprietor, business, or organization. This must match the name on the application and business checking account where an award would be deposited.

  • 12. Operating name or DBA (Doing Business As), if applicable

    13. Business address. This is the address where you operate and is listed on the organization's tax documentation or other legal licensure. We will confirm that this is located in the eligible MN PROMISE Act geography.

    14. City

    15. Zip Code

    16. Is this the address of a PO Box or virtual mail service?

    Yes

    No

    17. What type of physical space does your business primarily operate from? Please note that your current business location must be in an eligible MN PROMISE Act geography.

    Physical space means the principal place of business where the individuals who manage the business's day-to-day operations spend most working hours.

    Home-based (operating from a residence)

    Retail storefront (open to the public)

    Office space (private or shared, not open to the public)

    Co-working space (shared workspace with other businesses)

    Commercial kitchen (shared or private kitchen space used for food production)

    Industrial or warehouse space (used for manufacturing, storage, etc.)

    Agricultural, including homesteads (farms or agricultural properties with a homestead classification)

    Online only (this must match your home address)

    Mobile or non-fixed location (transportation service provider, onsite professional services)

    Other (please specify): ____________

    18. Please provide a brief description of your business, including the services or products you offer, and your primary goals.

    19. Tax Identification Number (TIN)

    20. Minnesota Secretary of State Registration File Number *Registration look-up https://mblsportal.sos.state.mn.us/Business/Search

    21. Federal Employee Identification Number (EIN) *Please use the nine-digit number format: ##-#######

    22. Minnesota Tax ID

    23. Are there additional business owners who own at least 20% of the business? *If you have business partners, you must upload form 1065 with your taxes

    Yes

    i. Please specify all additional owners who own at least 20% of the business.

    ii. And their date of birth

    No

    24. Using the NAICS codes below, please select the code that best describes this organization. If you believe this organization falls into more than one category, please select the category that generates the majority of the organization revenue.

    Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Hunting (Code 11)

    Mining (Code 21)

    Utilities (Code 22)

    Construction (Code 23)

    Manufacturing (Codes 31-33)

    Wholesale Trade (Code 42)

    Retail Trade (Codes 44-45)

    Transportation and Warehousing (Codes 48-49)

    Information (Code 51)

    Finance and Insurance (Code 52)

    Real Estate Rental and Leasing (Code 53)

    Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services (Code 54)

    Management of Companies and Enterprises (Code 55)

    Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services (Code 56)

    Educational Services (Code 61)

    Health Care and Social Assistance (Code 62)

    Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation (Code 71)

    Accommodation and Food Services (Code 72)

    Other Services (except Public Administration) (Code 81)

    Public Administration (Code 92)

  • If awarded, Primary means you have the legal authority to sign the Grant Agreement Letter.

    Primary Applicant First Name

    Primary Applicant Last Name

    25. Please provide identification for the listed primary applicant. Document must be current. We will only accept a Driver’s License or ID card issued by federal, state, or local government agencies, or a Federal-issued passport or passport card. If you proceed to the next stage of review, you will be required to verify this identification. This MUST be the same identification. (PDFs only)

    26. What form of ID are you submitting?

    Driver’s License or State ID

    Federal-Issued Passport or Passport Card

    27. Select File (PDF only)

    28. Is your business address different than your home address?

    Yes

    No

    29. Upload proof of address for their home address (PDFs only)

    30. I confirm that I reside at the address provided, and that this location is my primary place of residence, in accordance with applicable regulations.

    I attest

    31. Please upload a formal document showing that this business operates at the address listed on your application. Acceptable forms include Entire and filed 2024 taxes for your business Utility bill (phone, TV, internet, electric, gas, water, insurance) - Must be within 45 days of application submission.* Current business lease or mortgage (signed, dated) Business or professional (not personal) licensure Bank statement - Must be within 45 days of application submission.

    Most recent year of filed tax returns

    Utility bill (phone, TV internet, electric, gas, water, insurance)

    Current business lease or mortgage (signed, dated)

    Business or professional (not personal) licensure

    32. Upload proof of address documents (PDFs only) + Select File

    33. I confirm that the business is located at the address provided and that this is the main place where we conduct our work, in accordance with applicable regulations.

    I attest

    34. Did your business file taxes in 2021? If you proceed, you will be asked to upload your 2021 tax return. According to the law, preference for funding will be given to businesses or nonprofits that were in operation in 2021. Please note that preference does not guarantee an award.

    Yes

    No

    35. Upload entire filed 2021 tax returns (PDFs only) + Select File

    36. Did you file for an extension for your most recent tax year (for example IRS form 7004 is for businesses)?

    Yes

    i. Upload IRS Form 7004

    ii. Upload IRS Form 4868

    iii. Upload IRS Form 8868

    No

    37. Did your business or nonprofit lose revenue or net income between your two most recently completed tax years? According to the law, preference for funding will be given to businesses or nonprofits that can demonstrate a 10% loss of gross annual revenue or any loss of net income from the previous filed tax year. Please note that preference does not guarantee an award.

    Yes

    No

    38. Upload your business’ entire 2022 tax return

    39. Upload your entire filed 2023 tax returns?

    40. Upload your entire filed 2024 tax returns?

    41. I hereby attest that the information provided regarding these tax returns is accurate and complete, and that all necessary filings have been duly submitted in accordance with applicable regulations. Please type your full legal name to sign and confirm your acknowledgment.

  • Important Note: The following questions will not impact your award amount. However, your answers will show how the grant would help your business confirm that you will use funding in the manner the legislation dictates

    42. MN Promise Act was passed to help underinvested businesses – and their surrounding communities in key neighborhoods of Minneapolis and St. Paul -- thrive. How will these funds help the ongoing success of your business and revitalization of your community? How will they help you achieve your long-term goals? (under 500 characters)

    43. What percentage of the grant funds do you expect to use for each of the following? Grant funds must be used for working capital. You must enter a value, even if it's 0. Individual percentages should add up to 100%. Use total should add up to the estimated grant award entered above.

    Payroll / Estimated use

    Rent/Mortgage / Estimated use

    Utilities / Estimated use

    Equipment / Estimated use

    Other / Estimated use

    44. Please add additional details if you chose “other”

    45. If I am awarded a grant, I understand that I must keep supporting documentation of expenditures of grant funds. Upon request, I will provide satisfactory documentation, as determined by the Administrator and the State, detailing expenditures of Grant Funds for Permitted Use. Requested documentation must be provided within 10 business days of the request

    I agree

    46. NDC and the State of Minnesota reserve the right to follow up with the Grantee in an effort to collect impact stories for this grant program.

    I agree

  • The following questions are optional and will not affect your ability to receive an award. They are for statistical or informational purposes only. Answers do not factor into the award process, however, we will use this information to identify areas where additional support could be offered and to advocate for future expansion of the law

    47. How was your experience completing this application?

    48. Check all that apply

    At least 51% of the business is owned by individuals who are Black, Indigenous, or People of Color

    African (Oromo), African (Other), African (Somali), African American, Asian (Hmong), Asian (Other), Indigenous, Latinx

    At least 51% of the business is owned by individuals who are veterans

    At least 51% of the business is owned by individuals who are women

    At least 51% of the business is owned by individuals with a disability

    At least 51% of the business is owned by individuals who identify as LGBTQIA+

    49. Age Group

    18-24

    25-34

    35-44

    45-54

    55-64

    65-74

    75-84

    85 years and over

    50. Has your business community been adversely impacted by any of the following? Check all that apply

    Structural racial discrimination

    Civil unrest

    Lack of access to capital

    A loss of population

    An aging population

    Lack of regional economic diversification

    None of the above

    51. Please provide a brief description (1-2 paragraphs) about the barriers to growth and success you or your business have faced.

    52. If application support is required, would you prefer to receive assistance from one of the Community Partners listed below?

    • No Preference  

    • African Economic Development Solutions (AEDS) 

    • Annika Robbins Foundation 

    • Comunidades Latinas Unidas En Servicio (CLUES)  

    • Emerge 

    • East Side Neighborhood Development Co (ESNDC) 

    • Hmong American Partnership (HAP) 

    • Lake Street Council (LSC) 

    • Latino Economic Development Center (LEDC)  

    • Minnesota Consortium of Community Developers  

    • Northside Economic Opportunity Network (NEON) 

    • Propel 

    • Rondo Community Land Trust  

    • West Bank Business Association (WBBA)  

    • Women Venture 

    • West Broadway Business and Area Coalition (WBC) 

    Thank you for submitting the first section of your application. Your information will be reviewed, and you will be notified of the next steps.

    · If changes are needed to your application, you will be directed to applicant support for assistance.

    · If you are determined ineligible based on your documentation, you will be informed accordingly.

    · If you proceed to the next stage, you will be required to submit additional financial and verification documents. For more details, please refer to the application checklist [add the link].

Stage 3: Financial Information

While you are being asked to submit this information for accuracy and verification, please note that your application is still under review, and a decision regarding the award has not yet been made. We collect and review these documents at this stage to ensure the process moves as efficiently and quickly as possible.

  1. Enter name of financial institution

  2. What type of account is this?

    Checking 
    Savings 

  3. Upload the front of your businesses' voided check 

    i. Starter checks are not accepted 

    ii. The organization's name on the check must match the organization's name in this application

    iii. Unless you are Sole Proprietor or a Single member LLC, the business name on your voided check must also match the business name listed on your submitted taxes. 

    iv. We cannot deposit funds into international accounts 

    v. The uploaded voided check must include the account owner’s name, routing number and account number, which must match the information you enter in the fields below.  

    v. If the uploaded check is not clear, appears to be altered, edited, or contains any irregularities such as missing information, mismatched details, or signs of tampering, we will not be able to accept it 

  4. Upload the back of your businesses' voided check

  5. Account Information  

    a. Routing Number

    b. Account Number

  6. I hereby attest that the financial information provided is accurate and complete. Please type your first and last name to sign and confirm your acknowledgment of this statement.

Verification Documents You must complete these as part of your application, but they will only be used if your application is determined to receive an award. Your application has not yet been determined to receive an award.

1. Download and sign this personalized Grant Agreement Letter 

  • Unsigned Grant Agreement Letter 

  • Signed Grant Agreement Letter  

2. Certificate of Grant Recipient  

  • Unsigned  

  • Signed 


3. ACH Document 

4. W9 


I hereby attest that the information provided in this section is accurate and complete. Please type your first and last name to sign and confirm your acknowledgment of this statement. 

Thank you for submitting this information! This information will be reviewed, and you will be notified of the next steps.

It will be sent to the State of Minnesota for final review and determination.  

If changes are needed, you will be directed to applicant support for assistance.

You will be notified that we are unable to verify your information and cannot proceed with your application.