MinnCAP Executive Director Invited to White House

Press Release

Sunday, February 26, 2023 – The Biden-Harris Administration has requested Minnesota Community Action Partnership (MinnCAP) Executive Director Bill Grant to participate during its Communities in Action: Building a Better Minnesota gathering at the White House on Wednesday, March 1, 2023.

Grant will speak on behalf of MinnCAP’s 24 Community Action Agencies. Minnesota received funds through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) to assist Minnesotans with low incomes. $167 million has gone toward the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), and another $449 million was earmarked for Emergency Rental Assistance.

MinnCAP is a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping member Community Action Agencies achieve their poverty-fighting missions. MinnCAP supported the American Rescue Plan to help those experiencing poverty meet basic needs during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. With their track record of helping families with low incomes and providing crucial supportive services, Community Action Agencies were tasked with partnering with overseeing and administering a considerable amount of ARPA funds for the state.

Working overtime to take applications, verify information and process payments, Community Action Agencies’ efforts kept the heat and lights in many homes. CAA’s also helped to prevent thousands of families from being evicted from their homes by providing navigation services to match eligible families with help to pay rent and utility bills. Roughly 153,000 households were assisted through LIHEAP, and more than 105,500 rental assistance payments have been made to date.

The American Rescue Plan also included supplemental funds for Head Start, providing pre-Kindergarten education and family support to keep Minnesotans moving forward despite financial hardships.

Grant will share personal stories and statistics documenting the impact the American Rescue Plan dollars has had on Minnesota residents during his trip to the White House.