INTRO ON TAPE. The Minnesota Department of Finance is ending its freeze on state grants to non-profits. Officials announced the decision yesterday. In late November, the Finance Department asked state agencies to stop giving new grant money until it determined the extent of the budget shortfall. The move raised concerns about how some non-profits would continue their work serving the public. Marcia Avner is the Public Policy Director for the Minnesota Council on Non-profits. She's on the line now.