This bill establishes the Minnesota Volunteerism Innovation Board, a state entity tasked with promoting and supporting innovative volunteerism. Key provisions of the bill include:

1. Creation of the Board:

   • The board will include members appointed by the governor, speaker of the house, house minority leader, senate president, and senate minority leader.
   • A nonvoting ex-officio member will represent an administrative support contractor.
   • Members will serve five-year terms without state compensation.
   • The board will contract administrative support from an entity experienced in volunteer engagement.

2. Board Responsibilities:

   • Assess Minnesota’s capacity for effective volunteerism and recommend improvements.
   • Study how public, nonprofit, and business sectors can expand volunteer efforts to address community challenges.
   • Gather data on Minnesota’s volunteer organizations and their impact.
   • Oversee a grant program to fund innovative volunteer programs.

3. Annual Legislative Reports:

   • Due by November 15 each year, reports must include financial statements, activities of the board, number of grant applications and awards, and summaries of proposed/adopted rules.

4. Establishment of Volunteerism Grants:

   • Creates a Minnesota Volunteerism Innovation Grant program to support initiatives aligned with community impact indicators.
   • Eligible organizations must be in the public, nonprofit, or business sector and actively engage volunteers.
   • Grantees must provide a full non-state match, either in funds or in-kind contributions.
   • Grants must be used by June 30, 2030, when the program expires.

5. Funding and Financial Management:

   • A Minnesota Volunteerism Innovation Account is created in a special revenue fund to receive state appropriations and private contributions.
   • $1 million per year is appropriated for FY 2026 and FY 2027, with up to $80,000 per year for administrative costs. The remaining funds will be used for grants.

6. Implementation Timeline:

   • Initial board appointments must be made by August 1, 2025.
   • The board's first meeting must take place by September 1, 2025.
   • The board will expire on June 30, 2028.

This bill aims to enhance volunteerism in Minnesota through structured grants, research, and capacity-building, fostering a stronger network of volunteer-driven community initiatives.