MI Impact Grant Program

The MI Impact Grant program, administered by the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO), provides $15 million in funding to support Michigan nonprofits delivering meaningful, sustained relief to lift individuals and families out of poverty and above the ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) threshold. Funded through the American Rescue Plan Act Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF), the program supports Governor Whitmer's MI New Economy goal to lift 100,000 working families out of poverty and advances recommendations of the Michigan Poverty Task Force.

To be eligible, applicants must be Michigan-based nonprofits certified as 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(19) organizations by the IRS that have been in continuous operation prior to January 1, 2019. Eligible organizations must demonstrate financial stability and administrative capacity to manage substantial federal grant funds, and be compliant with state and federal regulatory authorities including the IRS, the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA), and the Michigan Attorney General. Ineligible entities include for-profit businesses, 501(c)(4) and 501(c)(6) entities, K-12 schools, higher education institutions, government agencies, hospitals, trade associations, credit unions, insurance trusts, fraternal orders, and religious programming.

Eligible projects must focus on lifting individuals out of poverty and addressing disparities exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Specific qualifying program areas include helping low-income families transition to self-sufficiency, providing financial literacy or no-cost financial services for unbanked individuals, offering job training or employment supports for underemployed or unemployed workers, expanding services to foster youth or child welfare-involved families, enhancing neighborhood health and safety features, and providing mental health services to underserved populations. Housing and educational programs are not eligible under this grant as they are funded through separate state SLFRF allocations. Ineligible costs include capital expenditures, corporate debts, contingencies, contributions/donations, entertainment, fines/penalties, legislative expenses, religious activities, and political or advocacy work.

Applicants were required to submit full proposals, budget narratives, and required documentation electronically through the State of Michigan's EGrAMS grant management system by the stated deadline. Proposals underwent a three-step evaluation process comprising compliance screening, technical review by a Joint Evaluation Committee assessing organizational capacity, program design, and scope of services, followed by budget evaluation prioritizing cost-effectiveness and economic impact.