MINNESOTA FUEL FUND

• Minnesota's legislature in 1992 required that the state LIHEAP grantee establish a statewide fund, mobilize resources to garner donations and set up an advisory committee that will determine how funds are spent. The fund, called Reach Out for Warmth (ROFW), is allowed to solicit donations through a payroll deduction for state employees. The LIHEAP agency, the Department of Children, Families and Learning, receives advice on use of donations from a task force comprised of energy providers, community action agency energy program coordinators and low-income individuals. In past years, Minnesota has allocated $200,000 of its LIHEAP grant to local agencies for ROFW.  This allowed agencies to serve households who were in crisis but were over the 50% median income eligibility for LIHEAP.  In addition to the $200,000, agencies  raised $94,435 in PY 2003 from private sources that was matched by LIHEAP funds. The total amount spent in PY2003 from the ROFW fund was $329,983 that served 1,248 households with an average grant of $264.  In addition, ROFW can repair heating systems that are faulty or not working.

• The Salvation Army and Minnegasco developed HeatShare in 1982.  HeatShare is funded through customer contributions from Minnesota utilities and is administered by The Salvation Army.  In 2002, approximately $850,000 was raised to assist about 3,500 households.

LEVERAGING (includes church and community donations)

2002: $2.8 million
2001: $1.6 million
2000: $1.2 million
1999: $640,811
1998: $731,765
1997: $1 million
1996: $1.5 million
1995: $871,932

LEGISLATIVE CODE

1998, Minnesota Statutes, sec. 119A.42