Item Coversheet

Board Action Request
22-0379

Item Description:
Neg Agmt with Encouraging Leaders to provide youth art and music grant administration services, 09/15/22-09/30/25, NTE $300,000
Resolution:

BE IT RESOLVED, that the County Administrator be authorized to negotiate an Agreement with Encouraging Leaders to provide youth art and music grant administration services during the period September 15, 2022 through September 30, 2025 in an amount not to exceed $300,000; that following review and approval by the County Attorney’s Office, the County Administrator be authorized to sign the agreements on behalf of the County; and that the Controller be authorized to disburse the funds as directed; and

 

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that any funding amounts not awarded may be re-allocated by the County Administrator to be utilized for youth sports grants.

Background:

On September 9, 2021 the County Board adopted resolution 21-0337 expanding the Hennepin Youth Sports Program to permit funding for lifeguard services, and arts and music programming.  In addition, the County Administrator was delegated authority to select a third-party administrator to develop, administer and oversee youth activities grants for arts education and programming.

   

In late 2021 Hennepin County Purchasing and Contract Services released a Request for Proposals for youth art and music grant administration services. After outreach, and extension of the proposal deadline, one proposal was received from Encouraging Leaders. Encouraging Leaders is an African American led, youth-based non-profit organization located in North Minneapolis. Since their inception in 2015, Encouraging Leaders’ work has impacted the lives of over 2,000 underserved Minnesota youth through performance art programs, job placements, and employment skill development. Encouraging Leaders has demonstrated a capability to perform grant administrator work with local non-profits as well as a collaborative history with potential future grant recipients.

 

Administrative fees paid to Encouraging Leaders are capped at One Hundred Thousand ($100,000.00) dollars per year.

 

In collaboration with the county, Encouraging Leaders will:

  1. Develop the youth art and music grant program.
  2. Market the availability of the grant funds within Hennepin County and perform outreach to local government units to generate prospective proposals.
  3. Provide technical assistance to potential grant proposers and assist potential grant proposers in identifying eligible projects.
  4. Create and manage an annual request for grant proposals.
  5. Collect and evaluate all proposals seeking grants.
  6. Develop and communicate primary recommendations for funding to County.

 

Recommendations will highlight the following criteria:

a. financial need;

b. number of people served;

c. partnerships between local units of government and community or non-profit organizations;

d. leveraging non-Hennepin County funds and in-kind contributions;

e. sustainability including ongoing operating funds; and

f.  equitable distribution through the County.

 

 We anticipate presenting the first award recommendations to the Board in the first quarter of 2023.

Recommendation from County Administrator: Recommend Approval