Purpose of the Bill

The purpose of this bill is to establish the Minnesota Volunteerism Innovation Board. The Board aims to enhance volunteer efforts across Minnesota by providing grants and leveraging volunteer resources to tackle community challenges and improve the quality of life for residents. This initiative includes setting up a grant program and ensuring accountability through annual reports.

Main Provisions

• Establishment of the Board: The Minnesota Volunteerism Innovation Board will consist of members appointed by the governor and other legislative leaders.
• Composition: The Board will have geographic and demographic diversity, including representatives from nonprofit, public, and business sectors involved in volunteerism.
• Administrative Support: A contractor with expertise in volunteer management will provide administrative support to the Board.
• Duties of the Board:
  • Analyze and enhance Minnesota’s volunteer capacity by gathering data and using community indicators.
  • Expand and deepen volunteer efforts in the state, especially in responding to community opportunities, by providing recommendations and reports to government and community leaders.
  • Administer a grant program to support innovative volunteer efforts.
• Reporting: An annual report to the legislature and governor will be prepared, detailing financial activities, Board actions, and grant allocations.
• Grant Program: Grants will target innovative volunteer efforts that align with community indicators like those provided by Minnesota Compass. Eligible organizations must match the grant with either direct funds or in-kind contributions.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• Expiration and Duration: The Board and the grant program are scheduled to function until June 30, 2028, and June 30, 2030, respectively.
• Funding: An appropriation of $1,000,000 annually from the general fund to the special revenue fund has been established for fiscal years 2026 and 2027 to support these initiatives, with a cap on administrative costs to ensure most funds go toward grants.

Relevant Terms

Minnesota Volunteerism Innovation Board, grants, volunteer resources, community indicators, geographic and demographic diversity, nonprofit sector, volunteer capacity, annual report, Minnesota Compass, fiscal appropriation, administrative support.