Briefing: State Grant Contract Advocacy (FREE event)
December 8 @ 11:00 am – 12:00 pm CST
Virtual Workshop – Live/Online
Fee: Free
Nonprofits across Minnesota partner with the state to deliver results for our communities, from housing and health to the arts, education, workforce development and the environment. But the grant contracts behind those partnerships too often work against us: late payments, reimbursement-only structures, shifting reporting demands, and administrative costs left unfunded. With the 2027 legislative session approaching, it’s time to get ready to advocate for better laws and policies.
The last two years have made that harder. High-profile fraud cases, which ran through claims-based programs and not grant contracts, have fueled a narrative that treats every nonprofit as a suspect. The result has been a wave of overreaching policy: new compliance mandates, broader payment-withholding powers, and layers of documentation that burden honest organizations without stopping bad actors. Nonprofits support strong accountability for public dollars. But accountability that misses the actual risk only diverts time and money from our missions.
Join the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits (MCN) and the Metropolitan Alliance of Connected Communities (MACC) for a briefing on state grant contract reform. We’ll cover:
- Where things stand: progress from last session, on both defense and offense
- Correcting the record: how we’ve pushed back on the fraud narrative and overreaching compliance policy, and what’s coming in 2027
- Your experience: the challenges you face with state grants, shared live during the session
- What’s next: reform proposals we’re developing for 2027
- How to get involved: connecting with your legislators, sharing your story, and joining us at Nonprofit Day on the Hill
This briefing is for any nonprofit that holds or seeks state grants. Come ready with an example from your own work, if you have one. Your stories shape what we push for and how we make the case.
Event Details
This virtual event will take place on the Zoom platform.
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Speaker Information
Trisha Reinwald, Vice President of Member Advancement
Metropolitan Alliance of Connected Communities
Trisha has been a leader in advocacy for better grant contract laws and policies at the state level, and brings an understanding of the challenges of current policies through her work with MACC’s member organizations. Trisha’s career focus has long been in associations and capacity-building nonprofits in the Twin Cities community. In her current role, Trisha is an advocate and connecting point for MACC members and prospective members. She leads member engagement, communications, programming, and external relations including MACC’s fundraising and policy work. https://macc-mn.org/about/macc-leadership-staff/staff/trisha-reinwald/
Marie Ellis, Senior Advisor for Policy and Impact
Minnesota Council of Nonprofits
Marie has also been a leader in the work to make changes to how the state contracts with nonprofits through grants. She is a co-chair of the National Council of Nonprofit’s Grants & Contracts Cohort. Marie supports MCN’s work to advance public policy initiatives that strengthen the nonprofit sector across the state. Marie is committed to continuing MCN’s work to review laws that impact nonprofits through lenses of equity and advocate for reform where needed. She wears the badge of “nonprofit nerd” with great pride. https://minnesotanonprofits.org/about/staff/marie-ellis-biography
