The application period for MN LFPA reviewers closed on April 30, 2024. If you are interested in reviewing other grants for the MDA, please review information about other opportunities.
Purpose
The MDA is looking for community members interested in serving as grant reviewers during late May through June, 2024. Reviewers will evaluate community proposals for food procurement and distribution through the Minnesota Local Food Purchase Assistance (LFPA) Program. Reviewer scores and diversity of perspectives will help determine which applications will be awarded for this competitive funding opportunity.
Responsibilities
The MDA seeks individuals who can dedicate approximately 17 - 22 hours during late May and June. Reviewers will remotely:
- Declare any conflicts of interest that may exist if they have a relationship with any individual or entity involved in a project proposal. Reviewers must be available to complete this paperwork during the week of May 21.
- Review orientation/training materials provided to them.
- Read and score proposals between May 28 – June 18, 2024, in advance of a review committee meeting. Reviewers will be assigned approximately 16 – 22 proposals to review (roughly 12 – 17 hours). Proposals will include narrative, workplan, and budget documents, along with letters of support.
- Participate in a four-hour review committee meeting on June 21, 2024.
- Provide feedback to grant administrators on the review process via a follow-up survey, completed no later than June 30.
The MDA will provide a stipend to eligible community reviewers who complete the review process in the time specified. Stipends will range between $650 - $800 depending on the total number of MN Local Food Purchase Assistance applications assigned to reviewers. Reviewers must register as a vendor in SWIFT, the State of Minnesota’s online accounting system, and sign a contract to receive their stipend.
Qualifications
The MDA is committed to grantmaking practices that increase diversity, inclusivity, and accessibility to funding opportunities, especially for members of historically underserved populations. For this grant, the MDA seeks individuals who are:
- Familiar with local food systems, hunger relief work, and/or community economic development
- Emerging/socially disadvantaged farmers and/or individuals working with emerging/socially disadvantaged farmers or underserved communities
- A Minnesota resident
- Have access to a computer with internet connection and intermediate computer skills
Individuals may not apply to be a MN LFPA reviewer if they are a lead applicant or involved in project planning for a 2024 MN LFPA application.
When selecting reviewers, the MDA will consider geographic representation from throughout the state, incorporating a range of perspectives and areas of expertise, and a balance of those with previous experience as a grant reviewer with those who are new to the process.
Interest Form
Submit an MN LFPA-reviewer interest form if you are interested in being a reviewer and have not previously submitted the MDA’s general grant reviewer interest form or the call for 2023 MN LFPA reviewers. The MN LFPA-specific form will close at 11:59 p.m. on April 30, 2024.
If you have filled out an interest form, you do not need to re-submit. We may follow up with individuals who responded to those calls about their interest and availability for 2024 MN LFPA reviews, in addition to accepting new submissions via the 2024 MN LFPA-reviewer interest form.
Questions
If you have any questions, please contact the MN LFPA Program at 651-201-6290 or LFPAgrant.MDA@state.mn.us
