Section VA 2.08 - Veterans employment and entrepreneurship grants(1) AUTHORITY AND PURPOSE. The purpose of this section is to establish rules for the implementation and administration of grants to assist veteran entrepreneurs, to give employers in this state incentives to hire veterans, especially disabled veterans, to improve veteran employment outcomes, and to help fund employment training for veterans, especially disabled veterans, as authorized under s. 45.437, Stats.(2) APPLICABILITY. This section applies to grants awarded under s. 45.437, Stats.(3) DEFINITIONS. In this section the following terms have the designated meanings: (a) "Applicant" means an employer or nonprofit organization located in this state that applies for a grant to improve employment outcomes for veterans living in this state.(b) "Certification request" means a form approved by the department used to verify the employee is a veteran and a resident of this state in accordance with ss. 45.01(12) and 45.02, Stats., and has a service-connected disability rating of at least 50 percent, under 38 USC 1114 or 1134.(d) "Disabled veteran" means a veteran who is verified by the department to have a service-connected disability rating of at least 50 percent under 38 USC 1114 or 1134.(e) "Employee" means a person who is hired for a wage, salary, fee, or payment to perform work for an employer.(f) "Employer" means a person or organization located in the state that employs people, but does not include local, state, and federal government agencies. (fe) "Entrepreneur" means an individual who organizes, manages, and assumes the risks of a business, enterprise, or non-profit organization.(g) "Evaluation committee" means a committee established to evaluate applications made under sub. (5) that is comprised of at least one member of the board of veterans affairs and other individuals appointed by the department. (gm) "Financially viable" means a nonprofit organization is able to sustain itself over the long term in order fulfill the organization's mission and support continuance of the organization's operations, programs, and services without the sole reliance on grant funds awarded under this section.(h) "Full-time job" means a regular, nonseasonal, full-time position in which an individual, as a condition of employment, is required to work at least 2,080 hours per year, including paid leave and holidays.(i) "Grant" means an agreement between the department and the grantee where the department provides funds from the appropriation under s. 20.485(2) (qm), Stats., for the purposes specified in s. 45.437, Stats.(j) "Grantee" means an employer or nonprofit organization receiving a grant from the department.(k) "Grant participant" means a person who meets the requirements of s. 45.01(12), Stats., and receives services under sub. (5). (l) "Nonprofit organization" means an organization described in section 501 (c) (3) or 501 (c) (6) of the Internal Revenue Code that is exempt from federal income tax under section 501 (a) of the Internal Revenue Code.(m) "Part-time job" means a regular, nonseasonal, part-time position in which an individual, as a condition of employment, is required to work fewer than 2,080 hours per year, including paid leave and holidays.(mg) "Program" means the veterans employment and transition support grant program. (mr) "Transitioning service member" means an individual who is separating or has separated from the U.S. armed forces to return to civilian life. (n) "Underserved geographic areas of the state" means rural communities.(o) "Underserved veteran populations" means minority groups, women, low-income, or veterans with disabilities.(4) VETERANS EMPLOYMENT GRANTS.(a) From the appropriation under s. 20.485(2) (qm), Stats., the department may award a grant in any of the following amounts to any employer who hires a disabled veteran to work at a business in this state: 1. For each disabled veteran the employer employs for 12 consecutive months to work a full-time job at the employer's business in this state, $2,500 following the first 6 months of employment, and $2,500 following the second 6 months of employment.2. Subject to par. (d), for each disabled veteran the employer employs for 12 consecutive months to work a part-time job at the employer's business in this state, $1,250 following the first 6 months of employment, and $1,250 following the second 6 months of employment.(b)1. A grant application shall be submitted, manually or electronically, directly to the department on a form approved by the department.2. The application shall specify employer and employee contact information and verification of employee employment status.3. The department may request additional verification of any information provided in the application.4. A certification request shall be submitted with the application. The certification shall be used to verify the employee is a veteran and a resident of this state in accordance with ss. 45.01(12) and 45.02, Stats., and has a service-connected disability rating of at least 50 percent, under 38 USC 1114 or 1134.(c) The department may not pay a grant to an applicant if the veteran voluntarily or involuntarily terminates employment with the applicant.(d) The department shall determine the amount of the grant under sub. (4) (a) as follows:1. Divide the number of hours that the disabled veteran worked for the applicant for 6 consecutive months of employment by 1040, or for 12 consecutive months of employment by 2,080.2. Multiply the number determined under subd. 1. by $1,250 for 6 consecutive months of employment or $2,500 for 12 consecutive months of employment. (5) VETERANS ENTREPRENEURSHIP GRANTS.(a)Eligible applicant. A nonprofit organization is eligible to receive a grant under this subsection when the organization meets all of the following conditions:1. It provides entrepreneurship training, technical or business assistance, financial assistance, or other assistance to veteran entrepreneurs to improve employment outcomes.2. It is current on all federal and state tax obligations.3. It is a financially viable nonprofit organization.4. It is registered and in good standing with the Wisconsin department of financial institutions.(b)Competitive solicitation of grant proposals. The department shall ensure that it conducts all solicitations of grant proposals in a fair and competitive manner.(c)Public notice of solicitation of grant proposals.1. The department shall provide reasonable public notice of all solicitations by the department for proposals for the award of grants by the department under s. 45.437, Stats.2. Notice may be made through print, broadcast, or telecommunications media, including the Internet, at the discretion of the department.3. The notice shall include the purpose of the grants and the selection criteria, application procedures, and all applicable solicitation deadlines that an applicant is required to meet, or shall contain instructions for obtaining this information.(d)Grant application requirements. A representative of the applicant having authority to act for the applicant shall sign the application, ensure that it is complete, and submit it by the deadline. Applications shall include all of the following: 1. Application on a form approved by the department.2. Proof of nonprofit status as an organization registered under section 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(6) of the Internal Revenue Code.3. Grant request cover letter that includes a synopsis of the grant proposal and amount of grant requested.4. A description of the entrepreneurship training, technical, business, or financial assistance, or other entrepreneurship assistance that it provides to veterans.5. Most recent annual report or other literature summarizing the organization's programs.6. List of board members and executive officers including titles and affiliations.7. Income statement and balance sheet for the most recent fiscal year, as well as a budget and income projection for the grant period, as disclosed in the notice described in sub. (5).8. Information that demonstrates that the applicant has achieved all of the following required program goals during the previous year:a. Expansion of entrepreneur opportunities for veterans by providing services that may include entrepreneurship training, technical and business assistance, financial assistance, or other entrepreneurship services to veterans.b. Increase of collaboration with other agencies to strengthen the delivery of programs, resources, and services to veteran entrepreneurs.c. Expansion of outreach to underserved geographic areas of the state and underserved veteran populations.9. Disclosure of any other grants funds received from any other state agency for the same or similar purpose.10. A signed verification of matching funds form, if required by the department.(e)Evaluation of grant applications. The evaluation committee shall evaluate grant applications submitted under this subsection against selection criteria. The department shall develop criteria to evaluate applicants with regard to all of the following rating categories: 1. The applicant's background and organizational history.2. The applicant's organizational qualifications and past performance.3. The applicant's experience working with veterans.4. The applicant's need for grant funding, including a detailed budget.5. The applicant's outreach and referral plan.6. The applicant's program implementation timeline.7. The applicant's monitoring and program evaluation.8. The applicant's program goals and objectives.9. The applicant's past working relationships with other start-up businesses and entrepreneurship programs.(f)Notification of award or denial of grant. The department shall notify each applicant in writing of its decision to award or not award a grant in accordance with the public notice under this subsection.(g)Grant awards.1. The department shall award grants to the applicants with the highest numerical scores determined under the criteria developed under par. (e) as funds are available.2. A grant awarded under this section shall be made on forms approved by the department.3. The award shall be signed by the authorized representative of the department and shall list any conditions to which the award is subject.(h)Grant acceptance. The authorized representative of the recipient nonprofit organization shall accept the grant award by signing the award document and returning it to the department. The department may terminate a grant award if the award is not accepted within 10 calendar days of the date of issuance by the department.(i)Amount of grants. The amount of each grant will be based on the amount requested and the amount approved by the evaluation committee. The grant award may not exceed the amount requested.(j)Restrictions.1. 'Prohibited use of funds.'ae. Grant funds shall be used only for the payment or reimbursement of reasonable and appropriate expenses assignable to the approved purposes of the grant. Any other use of grant funds is prohibited.am. A grantee may not use more than a percentage, as determined by the department, of the grant funds for employee wages, compensation, travel, and related expenses assignable to the approved program.as. A grantee may not use grant funds to purchase capital equipment unless specified in the grant award.b. A grantee agrees that no grant appropriated funds will be paid to any person for influencing or attempting to influence an officer or employee of any agency, any member of the Wisconsin legislature, or an employee of a member of the legislature in connection with the awarding of any state contract, the making of any state grant, the making of any state loan, the entering into of any cooperative agreement, or the extension, continuation, renewal, amendment, or modification of any state contract, grant, loan, or cooperative agreement.c. A grantee may not use grant funds to make loans or for repayment of loans or mortgages.d. A grantee may not charge interest or otherwise financially profit from funds awarded under this section.e. A grantee may not reassign grant funds.f. A grantee shall comply with any other restrictions as determined by the department.2. 'Violation of prohibited use of funds.' If a grantee uses grant funds for prohibited activities under par. (a), the department may terminate the grant and recover funds previously paid to the grantee for that funding period on a recoupment schedule specified by the department. 3. 'Record keeping.' A grantee shall maintain grant records for at least 3 years and shall provide information to the department as required by the department for the purposes of program or fiscal audits and, at the request of the department, shall appear before the department to respond to any questions about the grant and use of grant funds.(k)Eligibility and certification. A grantee shall verify eligibility of each grant participant. Only eligible grant participants shall receive services funded by a grant awarded under this subsection. (l)Reporting requirements. A grantee receiving a grant under this subsection shall submit to the department data and information specified in the grant agreement.(m)Assurances and certifications.1. 'Authority to sign and accept funds.' The grantee shall certify that the designated signatory official has the authority to sign on behalf of the grantee and has the authority to accept funds.2. 'Compliance statement.' Before the department releases grant funds, the grantee shall provide a statement that it is in compliance with applicable state and federal laws, rules, and regulations, including tax laws, the requirements of this section, and the grant award.3. 'Nondiscrimination and equal opportunity.' In accordance with s. 16.765, Stats., the grantee shall follow all state and federal anti-discrimination laws and equal employment opportunity practices in the administration and delivery of program services to eligible applicants.(6) VETERANS EMPLOYMENT AND TRANSITION SUPPORT GRANT PROGRAM.(a)Purpose. The purpose of the program is to award grants to nonprofit organizations that develop and maintain a peer network of mentors to connect transitioning service members with employment opportunities.(b)Public notice.1. The department shall provide reasonable public notice of solicitations of grants awarded under this subsection to enable any eligible applicant to submit an application throughout the fiscal year subject to the availability of funds.2. The department may communicate the public notice through print, broadcast, telecommunications media, or the Internet.3. The notice shall include the purpose of the grant solicitation, eligibility criteria, application requirements and procedures, and any applicable deadlines that an applicant is required to meet or shall contain instructions for obtaining this information.(c)Eligible applicant. A nonprofit organization is eligible to apply for grant funds under this subsection if it meets all of the following conditions:1. It has a signed memorandum of agreement with the regional Veterans Integrated Services Network for the purpose of assisting servicemembers throughout the transition process from military through civilian life.2. It is a Wisconsin nonprofit organization that currently serves veterans.3. It is current on all federal and state tax obligations.4. It is a financially viable nonprofit organization.5. It is registered and in good standing with the Wisconsin department of financial institutions.6. It has been in existence for a minimum of 5 consecutive years preceding the application.7. It is current on any reporting requirements for previously received grants awarded by the department.(d)Grant application requirements. An application submitted to the department shall include all of the following: 1. A complete application on a form approved by the department and signed by a representative having authority to act for the applicant. Note: The application form may be obtained on the Department's website at https://dva.wi.gov, or by request from the Department of Veterans Affairs, 2135 Rimrock Road, P.O. Box 7843, Madison, WI 53707-7843, or call 800-WIS-VETS (800-947-8387).
3. The amount of grant funds requested.4. Proof of the organization's nonprofit status.5. A certificate of status from the Wisconsin department of financial institutions. Note: A Certificate of Status may be obtained from the Department of Financial Institutions at https://wdfi.org/apps/ccs/.
6. A copy of the signed memorandum of agreement with the regional Veterans Integrated Services Network as required under par. (c) 1.7. A description of the organization that includes the following information: a. A summary of the services provided to service members and veterans.b. A list of current board members and executive officers including titles and affiliations.c. A statement that demonstrates the organization's experience with or how it proposes to recruit and maintain a network of trained and certified veteran peer mentors.d. A statement that demonstrates the organization's experience with or how it proposes to connect veterans with relevant employment opportunities proportionate to the transitioning service member's level of skill, training, education, and experience attained through military service and personal development.8. An income statement and balance sheet for the most recent fiscal year.9. A detailed budget that describes how grant funds will be used.10. A statement that the organization is in compliance with applicable state and federal laws, rules, and regulations, including tax laws, and the requirements of this subsection.11. Disclosure of any other grant funds received from the department or any other state agency for the same or a similar purpose.12. Any other relevant information required by the department.(e)Grant awards.1. The department shall award grants as funds are available.2. The number of grants awarded during any fiscal year shall be determined by the department.3. The grant application shall list any conditions to which the grant award is subject and as part of the grant application the representative having authority to act for the applicant, who signed the grant application, shall agree to be bound by those terms and conditions.(f)Amount of grants.1. The department may allocate grant funds to support the program, subject to availability of funds under s. 20.485(2) (qm), Stats.2. The amount of each grant shall be determined by the department based on the amount requested but may not exceed the amount requested and may not exceed $20,000 per applicant during any fiscal year.(g)Prohibited use of funds1. Grant funds shall only be used for the payment or reimbursement of reasonable and appropriate expenses that relate to improving employment outcomes. Reasonable and appropriate expenses are solely expenses that are consistent with the approved purposes of the grant as determined by the department. Any other use of grant funds is prohibited. 2. Grant funds awarded under this subsection shall only be used to provide program-related services to a transitioning service member.3. A grantee may not use more than a percentage, as determined by the department, of the grant funds for employee wages, compensation, and travel expenses incurred while performing program-related work.4. Grant funds may not be used to purchase capital equipment unless specified in the grant.5. Grant funds may not be used to pay any person for influencing or attempting to influence an officer or employee of any agency, any member of the Wisconsin legislature, or an employee of a member of the legislature in connection with the awarding of any state contract, the making of any state grant, the making of any state loan, the entering into of any cooperative agreement, or the extension, continuation, renewal, amendment, or modification of any state contract, grant, loan, or cooperative agreement.6. A grantee may not charge interest or otherwise financially profit from grant funds awarded under this subsection.7. A grantee may not reassign grant funds awarded under this subsection.8. If a grantee uses grant funds for prohibited activities, the department may terminate the grant and recover funds previously paid to the grantee for that funding period on a recoupment schedule specified by the department.(h)Reporting requirements. A grantee shall submit to the department data and information specified in the grant application terms and conditions.(i)Record keeping.1. A grantee shall maintain grant records for at least 6 years and shall provide required information to the department upon request.2. The department may audit a grantee's records to ensure compliance with applicable grant requirements in accordance with s. 45.47, Stats.(j)Assurances and certifications.1. 'Authority to sign and accept funds.' The grantee shall certify that the designated signatory official has the authority to sign on behalf of the grantee and has the authority to accept funds.2. 'Nondiscrimination and equal opportunity.' In accordance with s. 16.765, Stats., the grantee shall follow all state and federal anti-discrimination laws and equal employment opportunity practices in the administration and delivery of services funded under this program.Wis. Admin. Code Department of Veterans Affairs VA 2.08
Adopted by, CR 17-003: cr. Register March 2018 No. 747, eff. 4-1-17; correction in (3) (b), (g), (k), (L), (o), (4) (b), (5) (a) 3., (d) 2., 7., made under s. 35.17, Stats., and (4) (b) (title) deleted under s. 13.92(4) (b) 2, Stats., Register March 2018 No. 747, eff. 4/1/2018Amended by, CR 21-012: am. (3) (intro.), (b), r. (3) (c), am. (3) (g), cr. (3) (gm), am. (3) (h), (i), (L), (m), r. (3) (p), renum. (4) (b) to (4) (b) 1. and am., am. (4) (c), (d) 1., (5) (a) 3., renum. (5) (c) to (5) (c) 1. and am., am. (5) (d) 1., 5., cr. (5) (d) 9., 10., renum. (5) (g) to (5) (g) 1. and am., am. (5) (i), renum. (5) (j) 1. a. to (5) (j) 1. ae. and am., cr. (5) (j) 1. c. to f., am. (5) (j) 2., (k), renum. (5) (L) (intro.) to (5) (L) and am., r. (5) (L) 1. to 4., am. (5) (m) 3. Register September 2021 No. 789, eff. 10-1-21; (3) (fe) renumbered from (1r) (kg) under s. 13.92(4) (b) 1, Stats., and correction in (3) (g) made under s. 35.17, Stats., Register September 2021 No. 789, eff. 10/1/2021Amended by, EmR2201: cr. (3) (c), (km), (mm), (p) to (r), (6), eff. 1-21-22; CR 22-042: am. (1), cr. (3) (mg), (mr), (6) Register April 2023 No. 808, eff. 5/1/2023Amended by, EmR2201: cr. (3) (c), (km), (mm), (p) to (r), (6), eff. 1-21-22; CR 22-042: am. (1), cr. (3) (mg), (mr), (6) Register April 2023 No. 808, eff. 5-1-23; correction in (6) (d) 6. made under s. 13.92 (4) (b) 7, Stats., Register May 2023 No. 809, eff. 6/1/2023