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Minnesota Inclusion Initiative

 

Help us make Minnesota more inclusive for people with disabilities!

Are you part of a self-advocacy group or other advocacy organization? You might be able to get a grant through the Minnesota Inclusion Initiative (MII).  

MII gives grants for inclusion projects. Projects might focus on:  

  • affordable housing  
  • voting rights  
  • employment  
  • much more 

Projects must be created by and with disabled people.  

The program is made possible by funding from The Minnesota Department of Human Services.    

Applications will be accepted from:  

– informal self-advocacy groups.  

– disability advocacy organizations. 

– other nonprofits that work toward justice and belonging.   

With questions or for more information, email Marais Wakem at maraiswakem@arcminnesota.org. 

Fill out the application online here.

  • When you apply, tell us how $500 – $5,000 could help make Minnesota more inclusive for people with disabilities!

Review the guidelines on the application for more information.

Who should I contact if I need support with the application?  

Call us at 952.920.0855 if you need:  

  • Help with your application  
  • An application in another language 
  • A paper copy of the application  
  • Any other support to apply. You can also email MII Manager Marais Wakem at maraiswakem@arcminnesota.org. 

How long does it take to know if my application was approved? 

The application review process will take 2 to 4 weeks.  

A volunteer panel will review each application. The panel will include:

  • Self-advocates  
  • Staff from The Arc Minnesota  
  • Staff from the Minnesota Department of Human Services  

They will decide to approve or deny proposals. They might ask for more information before they make a decision.  

What kind of projects will the MII fund? 

Projects should focus on inclusion in the areas of: 

  • employment 
  • transportation  
  • voting  
  • housing  
  • government 
  • access and the Americans with Disabilities Act  
  • civil and human rights 

Projects can also focus on belonging and general inclusion in community.   

  • Decreasing barriers to workforce participation experienced by persons with Intellectual and Developmental disabilities.  
  • Overcoming barriers to accessible and reliable transportation options for persons with Intellectual and Developmental disabilities.  
  • Identifying and addressing barriers to voting experienced by persons with Intellectual and Developmental disabilities.  
  • Advocating for increased accessible housing for persons with Intellectual and Developmental disabilities.  
  • Working with governmental agencies or businesses on accessibility issues under the Americans with Disabilities Act.  
  • Increasing collaboration between self-advocacy groups and other organizations to effectively address systemic issues that impact persons with Intellectual and Developmental disabilities.  
  • Providing public education and awareness of the civil and human rights of persons with Intellectual and Developmental disabilities.  
  • Increasing capacity for inclusion in a community.

We look forward to your application!

How Do I Get More Information?

For more information, call The Arc at 952.920.0855 or toll-free at 833.450.1494, or submit your question to Ask An Advocate.

Ask An Advocate