As a State-funded grant program, we are committed to being responsible stewards of public funds.

To ensure compliance with legal requirements, we ask all applicants to provide documented proof of eligibility and grant-related activities. Use the checklist below to begin preparing your materials.

Applications undergo multiple rounds of review. Our team may request additional information or documentation at any time if further verification is needed to ensure compliance with program requirements. This process is critical for fraud prevention and the responsible stewardship of taxpayer dollars, ensuring fairness, accuracy, and integrity. You may receive a denial or be asked for additional information at any stage of the process.

⚠️ Important Notes

  • All applications are reviewed multiple times.

  • If we are unable to verify the information in your application or supporting documents, we may request additional details or other types of documentation not listed at any time.

  • If the information still cannot be verified, your application will not move forward.

  • This program is administered by Neighborhood Development Center based on guidelines and standards outlined in law and provided by the State of Minnesota and the Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED).

  • While we strive to be transparent, program details may change at any time due to updates in legal interpretation, changes in funding, or other factors beyond NDC’s control. These changes may affect eligibility criteria or how applications are reviewed and processed. If any changes occur, applicants will be notified by email. Please be aware that such changes may impact your application. 

    Click the ➕to see additional details

Round Two Document Checklist

  • Please use only one email address throughout the entire application process .Using multiple email addresses will delay and confuse the process including:

    • Causing messages to be undelivered.

    • Preventing you from receiving important updates. (Example: a change request

      from our team or a grant award notification, which may impact your application).

  • Organize and save required documents digitally so they are ready to upload.

    • All documents MUST BE submitted as Portable Document Format (PDF) documents

    • Please use only one email address throughout the entire application process.

    • Multiple email addresses will delay and confuse the process including multiple email addresses, as this will delay and confuse the process including causing messages to be undelivered and Causing messages to be undelivered or preventing you from receiving important updates. (Example: a change request from our team or a grant award notification, which may impact your application).

    • Stay updated: Eligibility criteria are set by the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) and are subject to change.

    • The business name on your taxes must match the applicant business name listed on your grant application. 

    • If sole-proprietor, the name on your Schedule C must match the name on your application.  

    • If your business name does NOT match the name on your business taxes, see your tax accountant. 

    • If you operate a home-based business, you must have taken a home-based tax deduction on all submitted filed tax returns.  

    • Your business revenue must have been $750,000 or less in 2024

    OPTIONAL TAX DOCUMENTS FOR ADDITIONAL PREFFERENCE POINTS

    • Preference points increase the likelihood of receiving an award but are NOT required to apply and DO NOT guarantee an award.

    • For more information on preference points, visit: mnpromiseact.org/grant-preference

    • Reporting loss of revenue with documentation may qualify your business for a preference point. If your business experienced a revenue loss between your most recently filed tax year and the previous year, you may submit the earlier year’s full tax return to demonstrate that loss.

    • Example: If your most recent filed taxes are from 2025, you may also submit your full 2024 business tax return—including all schedules and forms

    • If your business was in operation in 2021, submitting your filed 2021 business tax returns (including all schedules and forms) will qualify your business for a preference point. Please see Tax Form References for additional information on taxes

  • Download the following required documents from the application portal. Upload to your online application once completed and signed. 

    This is a preliminary step and does not guarantee a grant award.

    • Automated Clearing House (ACH) document  

    •  W-9 Form - Request for Taxpayer Identification Number and Certification Form 

    • Grant Agreement Letter (5-6 pages) 

    • Certificate of Grant Recipient 

    • Contractor Address/Name Change Form, if your business or nonprofit’s name changed in the last four years 

  • Eligibility criteria are set by the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) and are subject to change.

    https://mn.gov/deed/business/financing-business/deed-programs/promise-grant/

As the Primary Applicant, you will be responsible to provide this required application information

  • Unless a Sole Proprietor, confirmed with tax documentation. More information here: https://mblsportal.sos.mn.gov/Business/Search%C2%A0%C2%A0

  • Visit this page for more information: https://www.census.gov/naics/

  • If sole proprietor, enter your Social Security Number (SSN) or International Tax Identification Number (ITIN). If a registered business, enter your Employer Identification Number (EIN) and MN Tax ID

  • For more information visit this page: https://www.irs.gov/forms-pubs/about-form-1065

  • Submit the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry Contractor Address/Name Change Form Visit the link for more information

    https://www.dli.mn.gov/sites/default/files/pdf/name_change.pdf

  • See 📝 Tips for Tax Documents for details

  • Driver’s license, state identification, passport or passport card. Must be issued by a State or Federal Government

    • Pre-printed with your business name and business banking information

    • Must be a US bank account

    • You will be asked to scan and upload both sides of this check

  • Document must match the business name and address on the grant application, and must be one of the documents listed below:

    • 2024 Tax Return

    • Utility bill, dated within the last 45 days of when you originally submit your application

      • Acceptable utility bill examples: Mobile or landline phone, electricity,

        water/trash, gas, TV, internet, or insurance

    • Current lease agreement (signed & dated) OR current mortgage statement

    • Business or professional licensure (NOT personal identification)

      • Example: Food vendors, bar owners, architects, chiropractors, surgeons,

        accountants, teachers, mechanics, barbers or plumbers, etc. may submit

        a professional licensure.

    If your Business Address is different than your Home Address, you are agreeing to the following:

    • I confirm that the business is located at the address provided and that this is the main place

      where we do our work. To the best of my knowledge, all the information I’ve given is true,

      complete, and follows all local, state, and federal rules

    • I confirm that I reside at the address provided, and that this location is my primary place of

      residence, in accordance with applicable regulations

  • If your Business Address is different than your Home Address, you will be required to submit ONE of the following documents to verify your home address. Only your business address needs to be located in the eligible area

    • Utility bill, dated within the last 45 days of when you originally submit your

      application

      • Acceptable utility bill examples: Mobile or landline phone, electricity,

        water/trash, gas, TV, internet, or insurance

    • Current lease agreement (signed & dated) OR current mortgage statement