St. Paul, MN – With less than a month until Paid Leave starts for Minnesota workers, the Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) today announced two additional efforts to get the word out about this important new program.

DEED has launched a marketing campaign designed to inform Minnesotans about Paid Leave. DEED is also announcing the recipients of the Paid Leave Public Outreach Grants. Recipients will engage workers, families and employers about the new program, especially those in underserved communities, through outreach, education and technical assistance.

"Paid Leave has the potential to touch the lives of every worker, employer and family in Minnesota, so nobody has to choose between their job and their family," said DEED Commissioner Matt Varilek. "To ensure every family has the time they need for the moments that matter, we are committed to reaching Minnesotans wherever we can. Through media channels and trusted messengers in our communities, these efforts will ensure Minnesotans understand and can access this important program."

"Paid Leave makes it possible" marketing campaign

The new marketing effort is centered on the idea that "Paid Leave makes it possible" to be there for life's important moments – like welcoming a child, recovering from injury or illness, or caring for a loved one.

Marketing began last week on social media channels, and in January, when Paid Leave begins, the campaign will grow to include streaming video, billboards, movie theatres, medical offices and diverse community media.

See the video ads and sample campaign assets that Minnesotans are starting to see.

Public Outreach Grants

The Public Outreach Grants announced today were established in the Minnesota Paid Leave law. DEED awarded nearly $1.9 million to 20 organizations through a competitive grant process. Grant recipients will engage workers, families and employers about the new program, especially those in underserved communities, through outreach, education and technical assistance.

Grant recipients will work closely with Paid Leave staff, who have already held hundreds of meetings with employer and community organizations across the state, to bring the message of Paid Leave to Minnesotans. More information about these grants is available on our website: Public Outreach Grants.

The grant recipients represent a diverse group of organizations. Each organization will receive up to $100,000 during the first year of the two-year grant period, which begins January 2026 and runs through June 2027. Grantees include:

• African Economic Development Solutions (AEDS) — $100,000
• Amherst H. Wilder Foundation — $86,979
• Cancer Legal Care — $100,000
• Central Minnesota Jobs and Training Services, Inc. — $100,000
• Hallie Q. Brown Community Center — $96,800
• Hmong American Partnership — $100,000
• Lake Street Council — $95,000
• Lao Assistance Center of Minnesota — $99,970
• LegalCORPS — $100,000
• Main Street Alliance — $100,000
• Minnesota State Colleges & Universities — $48,250
• Minnesota State University, Mankato — $100,000
• Minnesota Training Partnership — $100,000
• Northland Foundation — $100,000
• Pillsbury United Communities — $66,507
• Southwest Minnesota State University — $100,000
• Sub-Saharan African Youth and Family Services in Minnesota — $100,000
• The United Hmong Family, Inc. — $100,000
• University of Minnesota Extension — $100,000
• Vietnamese Social Services — $100,000

To learn more about Paid Leave, visit our website.