Putting out the call for community reviewers

Deven Bowdry, Office of Public Engagement | Oct 28, 20220

The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) is looking to recruit about 100 community members to serve as grant reviewers for competitive workforce development grant programs during the fall of 2022 and winter of 2022-23. We're committed to including more voices and perspectives in our grantmaking process – and including community reviewers is an important way to do this. We value the community reviewer process across the agency. We will involve community reviewers in our grantmaking decisions for other DEED divisions in the near future.

We believe a more inclusive process can help us make funding decisions that will better support our commitment to reducing employment disparities in Minnesota. We want community reviewers who are aware of the current challenges that job seekers face. People with this experience bring an important voice to the table in our decision-making. DEED has recruited community reviewers for our employment and training grants before, and we are eager to continue to leverage their experience and perspectives in the process.

In addition to that very important personal experience, prospective community reviewers should have an interest in workforce development, as well as experience in grantmaking, education, training, workforce, and/or a related area. DEED also requires community reviewers to participate in a short online training session.

We are seeking individuals who can dedicate 20-40 hours to read grant proposals over the course of 2-3 weeks. Grant reviewers will read approximately 6-12 proposals during November and/or December. Proposals are generally 12-15 pages in length, with additional supporting and budget documents that should also be reviewed.

DEED will provide a small stipend to community reviewers who meet eligibility requirements, complete training and review on time, and complete the required process to receive payments.

Ready to apply as a community reviewer?

Please complete this short online application form to let us know you're interested in participating. But act fast! The application will close at 11:45 p.m. on November 10, 2022.

Have more questions?

Please join us for one of our two optional community reviewer information sessions. Both of these online sessions will contain the same information. Sessions will be recorded and posted on our YouTube page if you aren't able to attend.

November 1, 2022 at 10:00 a.m.

Join on your computer, mobile app or room device

Click here to join the meeting

Meeting ID: 231 722 662 243

Or call in (audio only)

+1 651-395-7448,,565162622# United States, St. Paul

Phone Conference ID: 565 162 622#

November 7, 2022 at 4:00 p.m.

Join on your computer, mobile app or room device

Click here to join the meeting

Meeting ID: 216 622 887 848

Or call in (audio only)