VA 2.08(5)(b)(b) Competitive solicitation of grant proposals. The department shall ensure that it conducts all solicitations of grant proposals in a fair and competitive manner. VA 2.08(5)(c)(c) Public notice of solicitation of grant proposals. VA 2.08(5)(c)1.1. 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. VA 2.08(5)(c)2.2. Notice may be made through print, broadcast, or telecommunications media, including the Internet, at the discretion of the department. VA 2.08(5)(c)3.3. 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. VA 2.08(5)(d)(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: VA 2.08(5)(d)2.2. Proof of nonprofit status as an organization registered under section 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(6) of the Internal Revenue Code. VA 2.08(5)(d)3.3. Grant request cover letter that includes a synopsis of the grant proposal and amount of grant requested. VA 2.08(5)(d)4.4. A description of the entrepreneurship training, technical, business, or financial assistance, or other entrepreneurship assistance that it provides to veterans. VA 2.08(5)(d)5.5. Most recent annual report or other literature summarizing the organization’s programs. VA 2.08(5)(d)6.6. List of board members and executive officers including titles and affiliations. VA 2.08(5)(d)7.7. 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). VA 2.08(5)(d)8.8. Information that demonstrates that the applicant has achieved all of the following required program goals during the previous year: VA 2.08(5)(d)8.a.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. VA 2.08(5)(d)8.b.b. Increase of collaboration with other agencies to strengthen the delivery of programs, resources, and services to veteran entrepreneurs. VA 2.08(5)(d)8.c.c. Expansion of outreach to underserved geographic areas of the state and underserved veteran populations. VA 2.08(5)(d)9.9. Disclosure of any other grants funds received from any other state agency for the same or similar purpose. VA 2.08(5)(d)10.10. A signed verification of matching funds form, if required by the department. VA 2.08(5)(e)(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: VA 2.08(5)(e)2.2. The applicant’s organizational qualifications and past performance. VA 2.08(5)(e)4.4. The applicant’s need for grant funding, including a detailed budget. VA 2.08(5)(e)9.9. The applicant’s past working relationships with other start-up businesses and entrepreneurship programs.