The Minnesota Governor's Council on Developmental Disabilities
mn.gov/disability-mn
Providing information, education, and training to build knowledge, develop skills, and change attitudes that will lead to increased independence, productivity, self determination, integration and inclusion (IPSII) for people with developmental disabilities and their families.

Requests for Proposal and Applications for Grants

Current RFP and Grant notifications. For past RFP and Grant information, visit the RFP/Grant archive.

Request For Proposals (RFP) For Training Conference Co-Sponsorship

The Minnesota Governor's Council on Developmental Disabilities (Council) announces the availability of a total of $15,000 in co-sponsorship funds to help with planning and carrying out educational and training events or conferences. Training should be designed to reach a minimum of 25 individuals with developmental disabilities and their families. As a result of the training, attendees will increase their independence, productivity, self-determination, integration, and inclusion (IPSII) in the community. Training may be planned as in-person, hybrid, or remote. Grant funds are intended to assist an organization to pay for presenter fees or scholarships and individualized accommodations for participants.

The full RFP is posted here ››

You may request a copy of the Request for Proposals, by sending a written request by email to:

Colleen Wieck
Minnesota Governor's Council on Developmental Disabilities
colleen.wieck@state.mn.us

PROPOSAL DEADLINE: Applications must be received no later than 5:00 PM (CST) on November 12, 2026. Conferences/training must be completed on or before September 1, 2027. Late proposals will not be considered.

Questions and Answers:

Question: Are there any restrictions on where the conferences are held? 

Answer: The RFP does not specify conference locations. In the past, the Council has funded national conferences held in Minnesota.

Question: Is it okay for multiple applicants (e.g., a day program and a cultural organization) to submit separate proposals to work with the same partner organization (e.g., an advocacy organization), if they are for separate projects?

Answer: The RFP states, "If an applicant is partnering with one or more organizations to sponsor a conference, none of the partnering organizations can also independently apply for co-sponsorship funds for the same event." 

Question: Are organizations who have previously received a grant for this work eligible to apply? 

Answer: The RFP does not address this question. Nothing prohibits past recipients from applying again.

Question: Can organizations applying name a partner they will work with to do the work?

Answer: The RFP provides a section entitled Presenter Fees. This section asks, "Write the name of the presenters, what they will talk about, and how much money each will receive." This section also asks, "Are any of the presenters listed employees, paid contractors, or key members of the sponsoring organization? (List which presenters are and their relationship to your organization)

Question: When will applicants be notified whether they are funded?

Answer: The RFP states, "GCDD plans to notify applicants of status by December 11, 2026."

Question: Do families also need to attend, or can staff do this one-on-one in a family-client meeting after the training? 

Answer: The RFP announcement states that co-sponsorship funds will be used "to help plan and carry out education and training events or conferences. Training should be designed to reach at least 25 individuals with developmental disabilities and their families." The RFP also states, "Preference will be given to training events that are in-person or hybrid."

Business/Organization Requirements and Recordkeeping

The GCDD expects that suppliers who are awarded funds for grant projects and programs are in full compliance with all applicable state and federal laws, and other requirements. This is true regardless of the dollar amount involved, or the type or size of the business. These requirements include a record keeping system that is best suited to the business, and will help monitor and track income and expenses, and other financial and business transactions.

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St. Paul, Minnesota 55155
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This project was supported, in part by grant number 2501MNSCDD, from the U.S. Administration for Community Living, Department of Health and Human Services, Washington, D.C. 20201. Grantees undertaking projects with government sponsorship are encouraged to express freely their findings and conclusions. Points of view or opinions do not, therefore, necessarily represent official ACL policy.

This website is supported by the Administration for Community Living (ACL), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of a financial assistance award totaling $1,152,734.00 funded by ACL/HHS and $229,000.00 funded by non-federal-government source(s). The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by ACL/HHS, or the U.S. Government.