Request for Qualifications
Indigenous outreach for new federal Great Lakes community grants program
September to December 2026
Summary
MEP is seeking an individual or organization for assistance with engaging tribal nations and Indigenous organizations to share information about a new source of federal funding for Great Lakes-related projects.
Background
MEP is partnering with Restore American Estuaries to help host community grants information sessions in October, November and December 2026 in the western Lake Superior area, to support more Minnesota and more Indigenous groups applying for funding under the new Great Lakes Community Grants program funded under the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative.
MEP will host one session in the Duluth area open to all interested organizations. Staff from Restore America’s Estuaries will lead the actual training session. This will likely be in early November 2026
MEP, with support from this contractor, will also arrange for direct visits about the new grant program to Indigenous communities for targeted in-person visits with staff from Restore America’s Estuaries with staff from Restore America’s Estuaries.
According to Restore American Estuaries, “the mission for the program is to foster healthy and thriving communities throughout the Great Lakes Basin. Many community-based organizations in this region may benefit from access to resources to apply, obtain, and oversee the implementation of federally funded grant projects. Through building capacity and technical assistance, the Great Lakes Restoration Community Grant Program will help address these challenges by supporting access to federal funding for these organizations and communities.”
Deliverables
The deliverables MEP seeks from a contractor are:
- Initial outreach plan to be reviewed and approved by MEP based on the existing timeline.
- Contact list of at least four individuals per visit with confirmed interest for each of two outreach visits from project staff (8 contacts total)
- One visit for Grand Portage and Bois Forte communities, potentially in Grand Marais.
- One visit for Fond du Lac, Red Cliff and Bad River, potentially in Red Cliff
- Summary records of personal correspondence with those on contact list to support their participation in the outreach visits (e.g. “Mr. XYZ of Acme Org expressed interest in the program. He plans to attend and will bring his colleague ABC”
- (To be determined, based on proposals and budget) Participation in the outreach visits in person.
Funding available
MEP has $3000 available for this contract. Contractor must provide their own work equipment, phone, computer, internet service and, if travel is necessary, their own vehicle.
Interested contractors should send a proposal covering the following minimum information about their qualifications:
- Experience working with tribal governments and/or Indigenous organizations
- Experience in Great Lakes community-based restoration work
- Contact information for one professional reference
Open until filled. Qualifications should be submitted to Andrew Slade at andrew@mepartnership.org . Review of applications will start Wednesday, September 9, 2026. Please direct any questions to Andrew. Phone calls welcome at 218-341-5727.