Grant Opportunities
The Minnesota River Area Agency on Aging (MNRAAA) works with a variety of providers and other professionals in the delivery of services for older adults and their caregivers in southwest Minnesota.
Funding, Grants & Contracts
Title III
The Older Americans Act (OAA) was signed into law on July 14, 1965. The original Act created the Administration on Aging and authorized grants to states for community planning, services, research, and demonstration and training projects in the field of aging. Later amendments provided grants to area agencies on aging for local needs identification, planning and funding of services. The Act was reauthorized and amended in 2000, at which time the National Family Caregiver Support Program was established to support family, friends and neighbors caring for an older person as well as for grandparents and other older relatives caring for children.
MNRAAA is a non-profit organization governed by a Board of Directors. MNRAAA has been designated by the Minnesota Board on Aging (MBA) as the Area Agency on Aging (AAA) for the Southwest Planning and Service Area in Minnesota.
As a state-designated AAA, MNRAAA administers OAA funds and is responsible for the development of a coordinated and comprehensive system of services for older adults and their caregivers in Big Stone, Blue Earth, Brown, Chippewa, Cottonwood, Faribault, Jackson, Kandiyohi, Lac qui Parle, Le Sueur, Lincoln, Lyon, Martin, McLeod, Meeker, Murray, Nicollet, Nobles, Pipestone, Redwood, Renville, Rock, Sibley, Swift, Waseca, Watonwan and Yellow Medicine Counties. To accomplish this, MNRAAA awards Title III OAA funding to agencies and organizations that provide direct services for older people (age 60+) and their caregivers.
2025 Title III Older Americans Act Funding Cycle
The Minnesota River Area Agency on Aging (MNRAAA) is seeking applicants for funding under Title III-E of the Older Americans Act. Funding is available to develop and/or expand caregiver programs in MNRAAA’s twenty-seven county service area for the period of January 1, 2025 – December 31, 2025. Special consideration will be given to BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) applicants and/or those who serve BIPOC populations.
For additional information and definitions of Title III-E services click the following link: 2025 III-E Request for Grant Applications and Application Handbook
MNRAAA’s existing providers of Title III-B Supportive Services, Title III-C Nutrition Services, and Title III-D Disease Prevention and Health Promotion Services are invited to submit renewal applications for the same period.
Additional Resource Materials can be accessed by clicking the following links:
2025 Title III Funding Schedule
2025 Title III Fundable Services
Cost Sharing Tool Kit for Title III Service Providers
Title III Provider Handbook for 2025
Submission Process and Deadline:
All new and renewal applications must be submitted via MNRAAA’s grant platform.
You can access the MNRAAA grant platform at mnraaa.smartsimple.com.
Organizations will need to create an account or log in to an existing account to access the site. Registration does not commit your organization to submission of an application.
Applications must be submitted by 4:30 PM on Friday, August 30, 2024, at which time the ability to submit via MNRAAA’s grant platform will be closed. Late responses are not accepted.
The 2025 Title III Funding Cycle is now closed.
State Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) Mini Grant
The Minnesota River Area Agency on Aging (MNRAAA) has mini-grants available for expenses related to ALS Caregiver Education Course for Caregiver Consultants. MNRAAA’s service area includes twenty-seven counties in southwest Minnesota (see mnraaa.org for map). All applicants funded by MNRAAA must reside within its service area.
State Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) funds can be used for training current caregiver consultants* based on the following information:
- Trainings provided by the Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Association (ALSA) at no cost to the agencies participating.
- Each consultant will complete 15 hours of online training.
- Each consultant will attend one in-person 4-hour training.
- The online training must be completed before attending the in-person training.
- There will be four opportunities to take the 4-hour in-person training during the year. The trainings will be held once each in the Twin Cities (March 26), St. Cloud (June TBD), Duluth (Aug TBD), and Rochester (Nov TBD).
- Funds can pay for staff time to complete online and in-person trainings. Funds can also cover travel expenses including meals, mileage, and hotel stays.
*A Caregiver Consultant is someone who’s completed the Caregiver Consultant Training requirements as required by MBA. If you’re interested in becoming a Caregiver Consultant, contact a Program Developer in your area or call 507-387-1256.
An ALS Mini Grant is a simplified method for awarding grant funds available to providers seeking reimbursement of $5,000 or less to complete ALS Caregiver Education Course. Grant payments are made on a quarterly basis on actual allowable expenses (reimbursements).
- Applications will be accepted until funds are expended or through October 31, 2024. Email completed applications to: Krista Eichhorst, Program Development & Grant Supervisor, keichhorst@mnraaa.org
- MNRAAA ALS funding committee will review and make recommendations for funding to the MNRAAA Executive Committee.
- The MNRAAA Executive Committee will make final funding decision.
- Applicants must also sign General Assurances Agreement.
Additional Resource Materials can be accessed by clicking the following links:
ALS Caregiver Education Course
Assurances of Compliance and Certifications Required by Federal Law
Direct Inquiries to:
Krista Eichhorst, Program Development & Grant Supervisor
Minnesota River Area Agency on Aging
201 North Broad Street, Suite 102
Mankato, MN 56001
507.414.8296 / keichhorst@mnraaa.org
MINNESOTA RIVER AREA AGENCY ON AGING
Administrative Office
201 N. Broad St.
Suite 102
Mankato, MN 56001
Phone: 507.387.1256
Fax: 507.387.6223
201 N. Broad St.
Suite 102
Mankato, MN 56001
Phone: 507.387.1256
Fax: 507.387.6223
Provided through Older Americans Act funding from the Minnesota Board on Aging.
