Community Reviewer

The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) is committed to making public funding more inclusive, transparent, and community driven. One way we achieve this is by inviting Minnesotans to serve as community reviewers to help evaluate grant proposals for workforce development programs. Community reviewers bring lived experience, cultural knowledge, and local insight to the table. Your participation ensures funding decisions reflect the real needs of Minnesota communities and supports our goal of reducing employment disparities. This initiative is part of DEED’s broader effort to center equity in everything we do. We welcome voices from underrepresented communities and people with diverse backgrounds, professions, and perspectives. Whether you’re a job seeker, educator, small business owner, or community advocate, your voice matters.

By becoming a community reviewer, you help:

Promote equity and inclusion in public funding
Elevate the voices of underrepresented communities
Improve the quality and impact of workforce development programs
Join us in shaping a stronger, more equitable Minnesota workforce.

Who We’re Looking For

We are looking for people who live in Minnesota and who have lived experience relevant to DEED’s grant programs, understand the challenges job seekers face, and are interested or experienced in workforce development, education, training, financial services, or WIOA-related areas.

Eligible Applicants are:

Individuals 18 years of age or older.
Persons living/residing in Minnesota.
Individuals who have faced housing challenges.
People who can commit to 20-30 hours of work to read 6-8 applications (up to 20 pages per application) over a span of 2-4 weeks.

First time Applicants

When applying to become a Community Reviewer, interested individuals can submit an application during one of the two annual recruitment periods, which open in April and October. When the application window is active, a link to apply will be posted along with the exact dates, eligibility details, and step‑by‑step instructions for completing the process. Applicants should review all provided guidance carefully to ensure they understand the expectations and timelines before submitting their materials.

Return Applicants

We appreciate having reviewers return to support this work. If you’ve served as a community reviewer before, you do not need to reapply. We maintain a vetted list of experienced reviewers who have successfully completed past assignments, and if you indicated interest in future opportunities, we’ll reach out when new review cycles begin. This approach streamlines the process and ensures that qualified reviewers can participate again without going through the full application process. If you’re unsure whether you’re on our list and have reviewed in the past, please contact ask.deed@state.mn.us for confirmation.

Thank you for your interest in becoming a Community Reviewer. Currently, we do not have an active need for reviewers. We will update this page as soon as applications reopen. If you’d like to be notified when the next application period begins, you can sign up to be added to our email list by emailing ask.deed@state.mn.us. We’ll send an announcement as soon as recruitment opens again.

Please note: Community Reviewer roles are optional volunteer opportunities. We understand and truly appreciate the time and effort that goes into this work, and we also recognize that this may not be feasible for everyone. We encourage participation from those who are able and interested in contributing to equitable grantmaking.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to have previous experience reviewing grants?

No. Prior grant review experience is not required. We provide training and support to help you understand the process and expectations.

Will I be reviewing proposals alone or with a team?

You will review proposals independently, but your scores and comments will be combined with those of other reviewers to inform final decisions.

What kind of training will I receive?

All reviewers will complete a short online training that covers the review process, scoring criteria, and how to submit your feedback. Staff will be avaialable throughout the process for support as well.

What happens after I submit my reviews?

Your feedback will be compiled and used by DEED staff to help make funding decisions. You may be contacted for clarification, but no further action is required after submission.

Do I need to apply if I’ve served as a reviewer in the past?

No, you do not need to reapply. We maintain a vetted list of strong reviewers who have successfully completed past assignments. If you indicated interest in future opportunities, we will reach out to you when new review cycles begin. This helps streamline the process and ensures experienced reviewers can participate again without going through the full application process.

Will I be notified if I’m not selected?

We’re not able to notify every applicant individually throughout the process. However, the application will include a deadline date by which you’ll know if you’ve been selected. If you don’t hear from us by that date, it means you were not selected for this cycle.

What if I need help with accessibility or accommodations

DEED is committed to accessibility. If you need accommodations to participate in the review process, please contact us and we will work with you to ensure you can fully participate.

How will I know which proposals I’m assigned to review?

You will receive an email with instructions, deadlines, and access to the proposals you’ve been assigned once the review period begins.

Is this a paid opportunity?

Community Reviewer roles are optional volunteer opportunities. We understand and truly appreciate the time and effort that goes into this work, and we also recognize that this may not be feasible for everyone. We encourage participation from those who are able and interested in contributing to equitable grantmaking.