The Northwest Minnesota Foundation is seeking proposals from community partners interested in creating or expanding programs to support the early childhood education workforce.
NMF is seeking proposals for projects that support youth recruitment into early childhood education careers, adult workforce development, and initiatives that enhance program quality and resilience.
Current workforce challenges underscore the urgent need for solutions that strengthen the pipeline for these careers. This initiative aims to build a career pathway for educators while supporting providers, parents, and caregivers across Northwest Minnesota.
Projects should focus on two to three of the following areas:
- Promoting early childhood education careers to high school students and recent graduates
- Engaging adults transitioning into or advancing within early childhood education careers through coaching, credentialing, and training
- Delivering workshops, certifications, internships, or paid placements with outcome tracking
- Providing professional development for providers and caregivers while supporting inclusive, developmentally appropriate programming
- Documenting partnerships and lessons learned to inform advocacy and policy efforts.
NMF has allocated up to $273,000 in contract funding to support this initiative.
To apply, email submissions to NMF program officer Katie Gunderson, katieg@nwmf.org The deadline to apply is 5 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 2. If needed, interviews will be held the week of Nov. 10. Contracts would be approved by Nov. 21.
Projects are expected to begin Jan. 1, 2026, and must be completed by June 30, 2027, with continuation dependent on available funding.
Eligible applicants include nonprofits, public agencies, and tribal organizations located within the NMF service area, including Red Lake Nation, White Earth Nation, and the 12 counties of Beltrami, Clearwater, Hubbard, Kittson, Lake of the Woods, Mahnomen, Marshall, Norman, Pennington, Polk, Red Lake, and Roseau.
For questions, email katieg@nwmf.org or call 218-558-5335.
