About the Grant Program

Through innovative programs designed to meet social, economic, and human needs, dedicated nonprofit organizations throughout northeastern Minnesota strive to strengthen the very fiber of their communities. The Northland Foundation is a willing partner in that work.

The Grant Program provides financial and technical resources to 501 (c)(3) tax-exempt nonprofits, schools, and other public entities serving Aitkin, Carlton, Cook, Itasca, Koochiching, Lake, and St. Louis Counties. Support is directed toward specific Areas of Interest to help individuals, families, and communities throughout the region to prosper.

The first step in securing a grant is to speak with Grant Program staff to determine if the project is a promising candidate for Northland Foundation funding. For more information, please email Erik Torch, Director of Grantmaking, or call him at (218) 723-4040 or 1-800-433-4045.

Business Flood Recovery Fund

The Northland Foundation has fully expended the Business Flood Recovery Fund. From July to December 2012, a total of $364,010 was granted to 68 small businesses in Aitkin, Carlton, St. Louis, and Douglas Counties to help them replace/recondition tangible assets and make building and site repairs. These businesses estimated their total damages at nearly $2.4 million. Click here to read six of their stories.

We gratefully acknowledge the funding partners who made this initiative possible: AgStar Financial Services • Barr Engineering • Blandin Foundation • Granite Equity Partners • Great River Energy • Hanft Fride Law Firm • Involta • Maurices • Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development • Minnesota Power Foundation • Northwest Area Foundation • Otto Bremer Foundation • The McKnight Foundation

Strengthening Communities Initiative

An booklet highlighting the Northland Foundation's Strengthening Communities Initiative: building nonprofit capacity to advance economic recovery is now available. The 12-page publication outlines the programmatic approach, insights gained, outcomes achieved, and stories of five of the 37 nonprofit participants. This $1.1 million special initiative was designed to increase the capacity and effectiveness of nonprofit organizations that assist low income individuals to increase their financial stability. To learn more, you may download the booklet or contact Erik Torch, Grant Program Manager at the Northland Foundation.

• The Northland Foundation's Strengthening Communities Initiative: A Strategic Approach to Nonprofit Capacity Building (850 KB pdf)