Northland Foundation awards $796,000 in grants July through September 2022
NE Minnesota – During the 3rd quarter of 2022, the Northland Foundation awarded 30 grants totaling $796,000 to support people and communities for a thriving region. Seven grants were made in partnership with State of Minnesota funding to expand child care in the region, with $95,000 in total going to child care entities in Cloquet, Duluth, Ely, Finland, and Grand Marais.
A number of grants went toward school and community based out-of-school time programs, including $50,000 toward the creation of a tech hub to provide learning and enrichment opportunities for students in the Deer River area and $100,000 for children and youth programming in Duluth’s Central Hillside neighborhood. A large percentage of children and youth in both these communities live in low-income households.
Basic needs comprised a significant share of grants funded last quarter, as well, with $300,000 awarded to increase affordable and emergency housing, medical care, food, winter clothing and other essentials.
“Supporting high quality, safe and nurturing programming for youth after school is a critical need and one that the Northland Foundation places a high priority on. We are honored to support this important work that helps youth develop to their fullest potential,” stated Director of Grantmaking, Erik Torch.
Additionally, in October, the Northland Foundation’s KIDS PLUS Youth In Philanthropy Board awarded three grants totaling $2,500. This unique board is made up of middle and high school students from across northeast Minnesota who review and make grantmaking decisions with guidance from volunteer adult mentors. The grants that the students award, up to $1000 each, support regional school and community projects planned and developed by children and youth.
July 1 – September 30, 2022, and fall Youth In Philanthropy grants are as follows.
EARLY CHILDHOOD CARE AND EDUCATION
School Districts, Northeast Minnesota: $12,000
A total of 6 PreK to Grade 3 Team Grants were awarded to school districts that attended the Northland Foundation’s 2022 Early Childhood Summit to support planning and activities that strengthen the learning continuum from early childhood to 3rd grade.
Rock Ridge Public Schools-ISD 2909, Virginia $1,000
Duluth Edison Charter Schools, Duluth $1,000
Esko Public Schools ISD 099, Esko $1,000
Invest Early, Grand Rapids $4,000
Duluth Early Childhood Family Education, Duluth $4,000
Cloquet Public Schools-ISD 094, Cloquet $1,000
Child Care Entities, Northeast Minnesota: $95,000
In support of child care program expansion with funding provided by the State of Minnesota, with support of the Northland Foundation.
Alicia Ziebol, Cloquet $10,000
Ely Adventure School, Inc., Ely $25,000
Finland Children In Nature Group, Finland $10,000
RSH Education, LLC, Duluth $25,000
Little Seeds Learning Center, LLC, Duluth $10,000
Sunny Hills Learning Center LLC, Duluth $10,000
Hunter MacLaurin, Grand Marais $5,000
ServeMinnesota, Minneapolis $30,000
To provide high impact early literacy, numeracy and social-emotional programming for preschool children in the Duluth area.
Duluth Area Family YMCA, Duluth $20,000
To support early childhood care and education programming in Cook County and southern St. Louis County.
YWCA of Duluth, Duluth $30,000
To provide supportive services to young mothers experiencing homelessness.
OUT-OF-SCHOOL TIME
Valley Youth Centers, Duluth $15,000
To provide out-of-school time programming for youth in West Duluth.
Smart North, Minneapolis $50,000
To support the creation of a tech hub in Deer River to provide enriching after-school opportunities for middle and high school students.
Friends of the Finland Community, Finland $30,000
To support out-of-school time programming for youth in the Finland area.
Family Freedom Center, Duluth $100,000
To support out-of-school time programming for youth in Duluth’s Central Hillside neighborhood.
Proctor Public Schools – ISD 7#04, Proctor $29,000
To provide out-of-school time academic enrichment programming to elementary school aged children and early literacy support to preschool children in the Proctor School District.
BASIC NEEDS
One Roof Community Housing, Duluth $30,000
To provide general operating support for permanent affordable housing and multi-family housing developments in the Duluth area.
Servants of Shelter, International Falls $50,000
To support the development of permanent supportive housing and emergency shelter in International Falls.
Local Initiatives Support Corporation, Duluth $150,000
To support the development of affordable housing in the Duluth through the establishment of a trust fund to provide more affordable financing options.
Arrowhead Economic Opportunity Agency, Virginia $20,000
To provide winter outwear and hygiene products to children and youth in poverty in northeast Minnesota.
Project Care Free Clinic, Hibbing $20,000
To provide access to health care services for people who are uninsured across the Iron Range.
Damiano of Duluth, Duluth $30,000
To provide general operating support for emergency food, clothing, and other vital services for people in need in Duluth.
Rainbow Health Minnesota, Saint Paul $15,000
To provide case management, legal support, benefit support and housing and financial assistance to people living with HIV in northeast Minnesota.
BELONGING
Planned Parenthood Minnesota, N. Dakota, and S. Dakota, Saint Paul $20,000
To provide comprehensive and culturally specific sex education to BIPOC residents of the Duluth area.
Northern Community Radio – KAXE, Grand Rapids $50,000
To develop an expanded local news initiative to increase community connection and sense of belonging in Itasca County and surrounding communities.
YOUTH IN PHILANTHROPY
Superior Middle School, Superior $1,000
To support a peer group program that provides opportunities for students and mentors to engage in the community through volunteering.
Planned Parenthood of Minnesota, N. Dakota and S. Dakota, St. Paul $1,000
To provide a youth-led opportunity in northeast Minnesota for students to create awareness and experience-related conversations surrounding sexual and reproductive health.
Superior High School, Superior $500
To support and introduce 5th grade students to problem-solving educational based curriculum through outdoor activity designed and led by high school students.