Grant Guidelines, Eligibility

New Partnership Streamlines Grant Application Process

The Initiative Foundation has completed the transition from its legacy grant-making technology platform to its new partnership with Foundant Technologies. We trust that you will appreciate the new system and its ease of use.

All current and future Initiative Foundation and Partner Fund grantees will need to create a new account. To learn more about the registration and one-time account creation process, watch our video. 

View Open Grant Opportunities   APPLY/LOGIN

(The "View Open Grant Opportunities" button is a preview only.
Potential grantees must create an account and login to apply for a grant.)

Learn More

Reference these tutorials to guide you through the account setup and application process:

• Create your account
• Navigate your dashboard
• Apply for funding

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2022 Innovation Fund Guidelines

The Initiative Foundation makes grants through its Innovation Fund for projects and programs that advance our mission to empower people across Central Minnesota to build a thriving economy, vibrant communities and a lasting culture of generosity.

Innovation Fund grants primarily support start-up or capacity-building projects across the 14 counties of Central Minnesota. Applications to the Innovation Fund are accepted on an ongoing basis, with quarterly awards made through a competitive review process. 

2022 Review Schedule

Application Deadline:	Notification of approval or denial:
Feb. 7	Feb. 28
May 6	May 31
Aug. 5	Aug. 31
Nov. 4	Nov. 30

Eligibility

Grant applicants must be 501(c)(3) nonprofits, school districts, or local units of government that serve the people and communities in Benton, Cass, Chisago, Crow Wing, Isanti, Kanabec, Mille Lacs, Morrison, Pine, Sherburne, Stearns, Todd, Wadena, and/or Wright counties, and the sovereign tribal nations of the Leech Lake and Mille Lacs Bands of Ojibwe. Funding requests for use outside of this geography will not be considered. Individuals are not eligible to apply for grant funds. 

Innovation Fund grants seldom exceed $5,000. We typically receive many times more applications than we can fund, so our process is highly competitive. Priority consideration is given to projects that have local financial support. The Initiative Foundation also strives to allocate our grant resources around our entire region, so geographical diversity is a consideration in our review. Applicants are encouraged to contact one of our program officers—Don Hickman, Chris Fastner or Zach Tabatt—to discuss proposal design and fit prior to submitting an application.

Proposals that focus on at least one of the following areas will be given priority consideration:

• General operating support for nonprofits addressing the urgent needs of vulnerable populations impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Cost share for projects intended to create behavioral change associated with combating racism, and advancing diversity, equity and inclusion.
• Advancement of strategies to address workforce shortages and/or re-training by those displaced by the COVID-19 pandemic. 
• Support for nonprofits engaged in business planning, fund development, training or other capacity building initiatives that advance economic security for those they serve. 
• Support for local and regional community and economic development entities advancing early-stage feasibility or pilot projects.

The following expenses are ineligible and will NOT be considered for Innovation funding:

• Grants or reimbursements to individuals and businesses.
• Expenses incurred prior to the receipt of a grant award.
• Capital expenses (e.g., buildings, equipment, vehicles, etc.).
• Programs or projects that DO NOT directly benefit residents in the Initiative Foundation’s 14-county service area.
• Replacement of or substitution for government funding.
• Religious activities.
• Lobbying or campaigning for a candidate, issue or referendum vote.
• Development or purchase of school curriculum or support for school athletic programs. 
• Out-of-state travel.

Once you’ve confirmed that your project fits within the guidelines, you can select the "Apply/Login" button to create an account, complete an eligibility quiz, submit an application, review your application history and submit grant reports.

   INNOVATION APPLICATION

 Additional Grant-Supported Opportunities

 In addition to the Innovation Fund, the Initiative Foundation has two other paths to award grants. 

• Partner Funds: A significant share of Initiative Foundation grantmaking is funded by donor-advised or community-based Partner Funds. View priority areas for each fund and their granting schedule. Each of these funds has specific priority areas and varying grant schedules. 
• Program Grants: The Foundation makes a limited number of discretionary grants related to specific localities within the region, or specific high-priority program activities. Current examples include:
• Childcare Solutions, a partnership with First Children’s Finance to help pilot communities improve access to economically sustainable, quality affordable childcare.
• The Foundation is administering grants on behalf of the Minnesota Department of Education to support young children (age birth to 8) impacted by COVID.
• Support for the City of Becker/Sherburne County as they prepare for the decommissioning (closure) of the Sherburne County Coal Generation Facility and associated loss of the community’s primary tax base.

2021 Grant Highlights

4th Quarter 2021 Grant Highlights

• Funders Network for Smart Growth & Livable Communities—2022 Annual Membership: $2,000 to provide annual support to this affinty group that helps grantmakers across North America advance strategies to create fair, prosperous and sustainable regions and communities that offer everyone the chance for a good life. The Funders Network is the host for the Philanthropic Preparedness, Resiliency and Emergency Partnership (PPREP) group, which has helped build the capacity of rural low-income communities in Central Minnesota to be prepared for natural disasters.
• Pine Technical & Community College Foundation—Recognition of Traci Tapani's Service to the Initiative Foundation Board of Trustees: $1,000 for general operating support at Pine Technical & Community College Foundation.
• United Way of Central Minnesota—Exploring Potential Interests and Careers (EPIC) Career and College Readiness Pathways Expansion: $8,000 to support the EPIC project and ongoing career exploration initiatives in Central Minnesota.
• Goodwill Industries, Inc.—Bridging the Gap Created by COVID-19 for Youth in St. Cloud Through Employment Services: $5,000 to support the Employment and Career Readiness Training and employment and placement services for high-risk high school youth and young adults in the St. Cloud area.
• Project Forward Inc.: $5,000 to support transitional housing and support services to veterans and those experiencing housing insecurity.
• Ellison Center—Strategic Planning Project: $5,000 to support capacity building projects for Ellison Center staff.
• Tri-County Community Action Partnership, Inc.—Strategic Planning Project: $5,000 to support strategic planning for the Tri-County Community Action Partnership.
• Royalton Public Schools—Robotics: $5,000 to provide a challenge grant to help secure local sponsorship for middle and high school robotics clubs in Royalton.
• New Pathways, Inc.—Community Engagement: $5,000 to support capacity building for fund development.
• Sherburne County Area United Way—Strategic Planning and Capacity Building: $5,000 to support strategic planning and capacity building for Sherburne County Area United Way.
• Rivers of Hope—Capacity Building for Victim and Survivor Financial Empowerment: $4,000 to support capacity building and programming for Rivers of Hope.
• Too Much Talent—COVID-19 Advocacy: $5,000 for general operating support to advance Too Much Talent’s missions of economic empowerment and strengthening families.
• City of Baxter—Mississippi River Overlook Open Space Master Plan and Community Use Policy: $5,000 to support planning and public engagement to complete a study that will improve the quality of life in Baxter and the surrounding area.
• Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota—Pop-up Meals for High-risk Senior Citizens in Cass and Crow Wing Counties: $5,000 to pilot an innovative pop-up meal distribution program for income-eligible seniors in Crow Wing and southern Cass counties.
• Lakes Area Food Shelf, Inc.—Visioning for Lakes Area Food Shelf and the Community Resource Network: $5,000 to support a visioning and strategic planning process to strengthen the food shelf, improve its services and broaden its impact.
• Rise, Inc.—Partnership for a Successful Re-entry for People with Mental Illness: $5,000 to support employment services to incarcerated individuals with serious mental illness who are scheduled for supervised release in Central Minnesota.
• Great River Children's Museum—Planning, Training and Building Initiatives: $5,000 to support increased capacity for the Great River Children’s Museum.
• Anna Marie's Alliance—Understanding Capital Capacity Through a Feasibility Study: $5,000 to support a feasibility study for the next stage of the organization's Building Hope capital campaign.
• Minnesota Learning Center, Inc.—New Vision: $5,000 to support programs to increase community capacity to solve problems related to workforce, housing and food sovereignty.
• ConnectAbility of MN—2021-2022 Building Team Capacity Through Staff Trainings: $5,000 to support staff capacity-building initiatives for ConnectAbility of MN, which serves those with disabilities.
• Brainerd Lakes Area Economic Development Corporation—Employee Benefits & Engagement Survey and 2021 Membership: $10,000 to support a partnership with Lakes Area Human Resources Association, Lakes Area Manufacturing Association, Central Minnesota Manufacturers Association and the Brainerd Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce to develop and distribute a survey to determine how businesses compare in their offerings for health benefits, wellness programs, leave benefits, work schedules, employee development opportunities, engagement, incentives and performance management.
• Family Pathways—Supporting Doorstep Delivery in the Chisago Lakes Area: $3,000 to support food delivery in the Chisago Lakes area. This grant was funded by the Minnesota Council on Foundations and Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation’s Disaster Recovery Fund.
• Latino Economic Development Center—Winter Workwear: $3,000 to support purchase of winter work clothes for Latino employees who work outdoors. This grant was funded by the Minnesota Council on Foundations and Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation’s Disaster Recovery Fund.
• Latino Economic Development Center—Workwear/Daycare Field Trip: $2,000 to support exploration of culturally appropriate child care opportunities, including visiting existing child care facilities and providing translation support for women interested in entering the child care field. This grant was funded by the Northland Foundation and Wells Fargo.

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3rd Quarter 2021 Grant Highlights

• CommunityGiving—EmpowerCF 2021 Sponsorship: $1,000 to support the annual convening of community foundations. This grant was in partnership with Southwest Initiative Foundation.
• Minnesota Council of Nonprofits—2021 Membership: $1,200 to support the annual operations of this statewide group that works to build the capacity and voice of Minnesota’s nonprofit sector.
• Greater Minnesota Partnership—2021 Membership: $1,000 to provide annual support to this advocacy organization that represents the needs of Central Minnesota communities.
• Crow River Trail Guards, Inc.—Donor Management Software: $5,000 to support capacity-building activities.
• Friends of the Paynesville Public Library—Expansion Grant: $5,000 to support community engagement, planning, design and other feasibility assessments for the expansion or relocation of the public library.
• Open Doors For Youth—Creating a Roadmap for the Future: $5,000 to support strategic planning.
• CommunityGiving—Building Racial Equity in Our Community: $10,000 to create a network across sectors and communities, connect ideas and resources, share best practices and develop an assessment to advance solutions to systemic racism.
• True Friends—Identifying Project Funding Potential: $5,000 to support a feasibility study to explore the potential for a new welcome and recreation center.
• Community Growth Fund, Inc.—Welcoming Advocates Valuing Everyone: $5,000 to help establish a community liaison and supports to welcome newcomers to Long Prairie, particularly those for whom language is a barrier. The liaision would also help newcomers access resources and amenities in the community.
• Main Street Family Services—Sustainability Plan: $3,000 to support development of a sustainable fundraising plan and the tools necessary for implementation. Main Street Family Services provides supervised family visitation, therapeutic counseling, training and other resources.
• Bridges of Hope—Capacity-Building for Emergency Warming Shelter Development in Crow Wing County: $10,000 to support feasibility analysis, planning and staffing for an emergency warming shelter to serve those in the Brainerd Lakes Area experiencing housing insecurity.
• Anishinabe Legal Services, Inc.—Community Needs Assessment Surveying Project: $5,000 to support a community needs assessment at the Leech Lake Sovereign Nation.
• True Directions, Inc.—Outpatient Peer Recovery Support Services Program: $5,000 to support a pilot project to build a new program in peer recovery coaching.
• Kinship Partners, Inc.—One-On-One Career Mentoring for Students: $5,000 to support a feasibility analysis for a one-on-one career mentoring program for students ages 14-18.
• Greater Twin Cities United Way Start Early Funders Coalition—2021 Membership: $1,000 to provide annual support to this coalition providing critical leadership and funding for research, program development, public policy and grantmaking to improve early childhood efforts in Minnesota.
• The Trust for Public Land—Minnesota Coalition 2021–22: $5,000 to support this coalition working to secure additional state funding to protect natural resources, improve the environment, right environmental injustices of the past and engage more diverse citizen leaders going forward to achieve bigger, bolder and longer-term success.
• City of Braham—Economic Development Overview & Preliminary Hotel Development Report: $5,000 to retain Hospitality Marketers, LLC, to prepare an economic development overview and preliminary hotel development report.
• City of Isle—Post-Pandemic Seminars and Training: $1,000 to support training and technical assistance to area businesses to help them recover and rebound from pandemic-associated impacts.
• City of Lindstrom—Economic Development Authority’s Downtown Design Study: $5,000 to support downtown design and revitalization plans.
• Benton Economic Partnership, Inc.—County-Wide Broadband Feasibility Analysis: $10,000 to identify unserved and underserved areas within the county that are experiencing a lack of affordable, efficient and reliable broadband access by conducting a countywide broadband feasibility analysis.
• Rural Minnesota Concentrated Employment Program, Inc.—Little Falls Job Fair Support: $5,000 to support a job fair on Oct. 14, 2021.

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2nd Quarter 2021 Grant Highlights

• Cuyuna Range Youth Center—Internship Program: $5,000 to support development of a program that connects youth with local employers to develop job skills and create pathways to employment.
• Community Connection Allies—2021 Senior Dining & Meals on Wheels: $5,000 to partner with Catholic Charities to provide meals to people who are homebound or in need of rehabilitation time from surgery, injury or illness.
• Success Academy—After-school Science, Technology, Education and Mathematics (STEM) Club for East African Students in St. Cloud: $5,000 to establish an afterschool STEM club to provide hands-on activities and tutoring to increase understanding and retention of school subjects.
• Morrison County Food Shelf—General Operating Funds: $1,000 to support food security services in Morrison County.
• Bridges of Hope—Strategic Planning to Grow Organizational Capacity: $5,000 to support a strategic planning process designed to foster greater organizational stability and effectiveness. 
• Anna Marie's Alliance—Building Capacity Through Board Strategic Planning: $5,000 to support a board strategic planning process to continue the organization’s efforts to be forward-thinking and courageous.
• Oasis Central Minnesota—Strategic Planning Support: $5,000 to support strategic planning for Oasis Central Minnesota. 
• Terebinth Refuge—Shelter Program General Operations: $5,000 to support the mission of Terebinth Refuge. 
• Region Five Development Commission—Justice System Community Outreach: $7,500 to bring together local law enforcement and diverse consortium of community members to listen, share, learn and build trusting relationships.
• The Outreach Program of Brainerd Lakes—Strategic Planning Session for Board of Directors and Staff: $5,000 to support strategic planning for The Outreach Program of the Brainerd Lakes Area.
• Avivo—Career Exploration and Medical Office Training for Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) High School Seniors: $5,000 for career exploration and medical office training for BIPOC high school seniors to address the racial wage gap in the St. Cloud area.
• Rural Renewable Energy Alliance—Organizational Capacity Building: $3,000 to support strategic planning for the Rural Renewable Energy Alliance. 
• Hands Across the World—AmeriCorps Volunteers in Serivce to America (VISTA) Project Launch: $5,000 to build the capacity of Hands Across The World by supporting an Americorps VISTA to build new hybrid learning systems.
• Brainerd Family YMCA—Data and Site Assessment for Child Care Satellite: $10,000 to support site assessment and design for the expansion of quality, affordable childcare facilities in the Brainerd community.
• United Way of Central Minnesota—Central Minnesota Child Care Credentialing Program: $10,000 to support a partnership with St. Cloud Technical and Community College, helping cover costs for students participating in an Accelerated Childhood Development Associate Certificate program. This provided entry-level credentials to 30 new child care providers serving in the Greater St. Cloud area and serves as a stepping stone for additional credentials.
• Kanabec County Economic Development Authority—2021 Strategic Plan Update: $2,500 To update the strategic plan for the Kanabec County Economic Development Authority.  This will identify the strategic direction for the next three years and will include a response to the COVID-19 pandemic. 
• Brainerd Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce Education Association—Residential Recruitment, Research and Development: $10,000 to research recruitment needs and practices of Brainerd Lakes Area employers to develop a united residential recruitment effort. This would include businesses, nonprofit organizations and government entities.
• Mille Lacs Corporate Ventures—Mille Lacs Tribal Economy Satellite Broadband Study: $6,670 to support a 12-month case study of four home sites and one staff site within the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe districts to gather information about the services and experiences. Data will measure speed, reliability, device usage and more to understand the reliability, affordability and convenience of services. 

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1st Quarter 2021 Grant Highlights

• Anderson Center—Forum Scholarships: $10,000 to provide scholarships for entrepreneurs and nonprofit leaders to attend management and leadership training offered by the Anderson Center.
• ConnectAbility of Minnesota—Growing Staff Capacity: $3,000 to build capacity of staff and the organization through training and technical assistance.
• Wilder Foundation—Minnesota Compass: $4,000 to provide annual database research and support for key measures of community and economic vitality in Central Minnesota.
• Minnesota Association for Volunteer Administration—Urgent Needs, Volunteers and Advancing Diversity, Equity and Inclusion: $4,000 to support an increase in diversity of volunteers in organizations across Central Minnesota.
• Region 5 Children's Museum—Strategic Fund Development Plan: $5,000 to support a feasibility analysis and funder development plan.
• Junior Achievement of the Upper Midwest, St. Cloud Area—Support Strategic Planning Shifts and New Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Focus: $5,000 to support recruitment and retention of more diverse volunteers.
• Greater St. Cloud Public Safety Foundation—Capacity Building Initiative: $3,000 to build organizational capacity.
• Community Aid of Elk River—Food Shelf Strategic Plan Project: $5,000 to assist the organization in planning for a successful future.
• Jugaad Leadership Program—Mentoring Project: $8,000 to support this leadership and mentoring program for young professionals of color.
• Minnesota Council on Foundations—2021 Membership: $5,850 to provide annual support to this professional affinity organization. The Minnesota Council on Foundations is a vibrant philanthropic community collectively advancing prosperity and equity.
• Minnesota Council on Foundations—2021 Annual Conference Sponsorship: $2,500 to provide support for this year's virtual annual conference.
• Sourcewell—Students of Character Celebration Sponsorship: $1,000 to support the 30th annual Students of Character celebration hosted by Sourcewell.
• Higher Works Collaborative—Project Look Up: $5,000 to expand the capacity of the organization through training and resources to strengthen fundraising and financial management.
• Pine Technical and Community College—Accelerated Early Childhood Certificate: $10,000 to provide workforce support by facilitating training for potential child care workers.
• Too Much Talent—Advocacy Training on the COVID-19 Vaccine for Communities of Color:  $5,000 to build capacity to advocate for increased COVID-19 vaccinations in the Black community.
• Central Minnesota Community Empowerment Organization—Capacity-Building Grant: $5,000 to build an online presence and keep staff and clients safe during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• North Star Family Advocacy Center—Virtual Tour/Video Tour: $5,000 to support expanded public outreach and build overall capacity. Because this organization’s work is highly confidential, they need to be innovative in the way they invite the public to share in their mission. 
• Waite Park Somali Community Association—Capacity Building: $5,000 to support the tools and space needed for the Waite Park Somali Community Association to improve efficiency, create a better public-facing office environment and improve communication systems.
• Jugaad Leadership Program—QuickBooks Start-up Support: $5,000 to help program staff build financial capacity as a newly formed 501(c)(3).
• Promise Neighborhood of Central Minnesota—Training and Empowerment: $5,000 to support capacity building training and technical assistance for Promise Neighborhood of Central Minnesota.
• The American Association of University Women—St. Cloud Area Branch Savvy Teens Seminars for Career Success: $2,000 to develop online resources to highlight career opportunities for young women of color.
• Wright County Economic Development Partnership—Workforce Pathways Reboot: $10,000 to support career exploration and illuminate workforce pathways available to young adults in Wright County.
• Brainerd Restoration—Community Workforce Inclusion Council: $3,600 to support training for Brainerd Lakes area businesses interested in attracting and retaining a more diverse workforce.
• Wadena Development Authority—Lead for Wadena: Artisanship for Economic Development: $7,500 to share costs for Lead for America fellow to support economic development through art.
• Brainerd Lakes Area Economic Development—Music on Main and Highway 210 Revitalization Project: $5,000 to support programming to offset adverse economic impacts associated with downtown highway reconstruction.
• Greater St. Cloud Development Corporation—Annual Investment 2021: $25,000 to provide annual support for business and workforce development initiatives in the Greater St. Cloud region.
• City of Little Falls—Residential Broadband Implementation Study: $7,500 to support feasibility analysis for expansion of high-speed broadband services.

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View past Innovation Fund grant awards.

2021 Partner Fund Grant Highlights

4th Quarter 2021 Partner Fund Grant Highlights

Three Rivers Community Foundation

• Main Street Family Services—Reaching Underserved Communities: $2,000
• Sherburne County Area United Way—Community Connect: $3,000

Mille Lacs Area Community Foundation

• East Central Regional Development Commission—Lake Mille Lacs Bird Trail: $1,000
• Aitkin County Soil and Water Conservation District—Community of Mille Lacs Stewards Picnic: $1,000

Delano Area Community Foundation

• Love INC-Heartland—Fresh Start: $300
• Delano Fire Department—Safety Education in the Community: $500
• City of Delano—Senior Center Lunch Enhancement Program: $1,000
• Delano Friends of the Library—2022 Summer Reading Program: $500
• Delano Public Schools—DIS Store Folder Program: $500

The following grants were awarded to the Delano Area Council for Arts and Culture:

• Delano Community Band: $1,000
• Delano Second Annual Sculpture Walk: $1,000
• Delano Old Fashioned Christmas: $1,000

Longville Area Community Foundation

• Longville Area Community Foundation—Operating Support: $9,000

Scott & Jane Stuart Memorial Park Fund

• Longville Area Community Foundation—Scott & Jane Stuart Memorial Park Fund Grant: $2,100

Jim & HK Stuart Memorial Fund

• Longville Area Community Foundation—Jim & HK Stuart Memorial Fund Grant: $1,400

Staples Motley Area Community Foundation

• Staples Area Women's Chorus—Our Voice Our Song 2022: $1,500
• Central Minnesota Boys Choir—Minnesota Boychoir Festival: $1,500
• Kinship Partners, Inc.—Rebuilding Youth Mentoring Programs in the Staples-Motley Area: $1,500
• Staples Historical Society—First Annual Children's Christmas Festival: $1,500

Black Oak Getty Community Foundation

• Terebinth Refuge—Shelter Program: $2,500
• Eagle's Healing Nest—General Operations: $2,000
• Community Connection of Sauk Centre—Operating Support: $1,000

Sartell DOGPAC Fund

• City of Sartell—Grant Closeout: $469

Josh Richardson Family Fund

• Elk River High School and Zimmerman High School—Woods and Construction Classes: $10,300

Sauk Rapids-Rice Education Foundation

The following grants were awarded to the Sauk Rapids-Rice School District:

• Xylophones for All: $500
• Mini Golf: $968
• Opening Doors to the Culinary Pathway: $1,000
• Class Spikeball Set for Physical Education: $960
• Diversity in School: $1,000
• Additional Xylophones for Kindergarten to Fifth-Grade Music Classes: $500

Loren & Kathy Morey Family Fund

• The Hormel Institute University of Minnesota Medical Research Center—General Research Fund Donation: $3,200

Manufacturing Fund of Central Minnesota

• Northeast Entrepreneur Fund, Inc.—Women's Business Alliance: $11,000

Lake Region Christian School Education Foundation

• Lake Region Christian School—General Operations: $7,000

Braham Area Education Foundation

• Braham Area Schools—Art Kaunonen Scholarship: $1,000

Memorial Hospital Foundation (Serving Greater Isanti County)

• Rise, Inc.—Community-Integrated Whole-Family Health and Wellness for Isanti's Most Vulnerable Neighbors: $5,000
• Isanti County Commission on Aging—Emergency Relief Grant: $10,000

Patriot Foundation

The following grants were awarded to the Pequot Lakes School District:

• Patriot CubeSat Program: $3,000
• Fashion Trends: $1,500
• Sixth-Grade Field Trip to Wolf Ridge Environmental Learning Center: $1,500
• Early Childhood Outdoor Playspace: $4,200
• Eagle View Yurt Outdoor Classroom: $2,550
• Advancing the Vision Screening Process in Pequot Schools: $4,000

Women’s Leadership Fund

• Northeast Entrepreneur Fund, Inc.—Seize Opportunities And Rise (SOAR) Success Circle for Women: $5,000

Early Childhood Partnership for Isanti County Fund

Cambridge-Isanti School District—Early Childhood Partnership for Isanti County: $900

Edeburn Family Fund

• Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Minnesota—Operating Support: $750
• Saint John’s University—Annual Fund Support in Honor of Kent Edeburn '19 and Elliot Edeburn '21: $500
• Anna Marie's Alliance—Operating Support: $750
• Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota, Inc.—General Support: $750

Playing it Forward: The Kenneth and Evelyn Pinckney Young Musicians' Fund

• Little Falls Community School District—Percussion: $1,100

Chuck Christian Community Spirit Fund

• Thumbs Up High 5K—Teen Mental Health Initiative: $1,400

Gaalswyk Family Fund

• Lakes Area Pregnancy Support Center—Operating Support: $1,250

Salem Lutheran Church Outreach Foundation

• Salem Lutheran Church of Deerwood—General Operations: $26,700

Patrick and Jane Mitchell Family Fund

• Rocori Food Shelf, Inc.—Operating Support: $1,000
• Abbott House Foundation—Operating Support: $1,000
• Abbott House Foundation—Bicycle Program Support: $2,000
• Rocori School District—Action Pack Program: $1,000
• Anna Marie's Alliance—Operating Support: $1,000
• St. Cloud State University Foundation, Inc.—Baseball Program: $2,500
• Andra Heart Foundation—Operating Support: $1,000
• Africa Jam—Operating Support: $1,000
• United Way of Central Minnesota—Operating Support: $1,000
• The Yes Network—Operating Support: $2,500
• Mitchell School District—Action Pack Food Program: $1,000
• Mitchell School District—Gertie Bell Rogers Elementary School Outdoor Classroom Project: $5,000
• Mitchell Area Safehouse Foundation—Operating Support: $2,000
• Great River Educational Arts Theatre—Great Theatre Program: $2,000
• CommunityGiving, Rocori Area Community Foundation—Pickleball Courts Project: $2,500
• Saint Benedict's Monastery—General Operations: $2,500
• St. Boniface Catholic Church—General Operations: $2,000

John and Bonnie Schlagel Endowment

• Anoka-Ramsey Community College Foundation—Scholarship in Memory of Evan Stein: $1,300
• Mayo Clinic—Cancer Program: $2,000
• University of Minnesota Foundation—Veterinary Medicine Scholarship: $1,000

Colette & Paul Cameron Donor Advised Fund

• Golfers Organized for Little Falls Golf—Capital Equipment Acquisition: $10,000

Anderson Brothers Family Fund

• Brainerd Family YMCA—Back to the Future Campaign: $5,000
• Healing Opportunity Provided Equally—Domestic Violence Awareness Month: $600

Shawn Grittner Memorial Fund

• Holy Family Church, Belle Prairie—Holiday Gift Program: $1,500
• Oasis Central Minnesota—General Operations: $500

Artesian Homes Charitable Fund

• The Church on the Wise Road—Jamaican Missions: $10,000
• Lincoln Evangelical Free Church—General Operating Support: $30,000

Corey Borg-Massanari Foundation

• Heartland Animal Rescue Team Humane Society—Operating Support: $500

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 3rd Quarter 2021 Partner Fund Grant Highlights

Three Rivers Community Foundation

• Open Doors For Youth—Mental Health Support for Homeless Youth: $5,000
• Thumbs Up High 5K—Teen Mental Health Initiative: $5,000
• Youth Investment Foundation—Elk River Area Timber Bay: $5,000
• YMCA of the North, Elk River—Childcare Scholarships: $2,500
• Granny's Closet—Good Nights From Granny’s: $3,000
• Christians Reaching Out In Social Service—Food Rescue: $4,000
• Rivers of Hope—Youth Advocacy for Survivors of Domestic, Family and Teen Dating Violence: $5,000
• Community Aid of Elk River—Culturally Specific Food: $4,000
• Young Life—Walk With Me Relaunch Project: $2,500

Greater Pine Area Endowment

• Pine Emergency Medical Service—Operating Support: $5,000
• Pine City Elementary School—Pine Dragons Parent Teacher Organization: $3,300
• New Horizon Thrift Store—Technology Project: $3,869
• Pine Center for the Arts, Inc.—Energy Efficiency: $15,000
• Changing Gaits, Inc.—The Power of YOU—A One-Day Enrichment Program for Pine City High School Students: $2,000
• Pine Technical and Community College—Childhood Development Associates Certification Fall Cohort Scholarship: $400

Morrison County Area Foundation

• Horizon Health, Inc.—Improving the Lives of Seniors and Individuals With Disabilities in Morrison County: $1,500
• Morrison County United Way—Tools For Schools: $1,000
• Little Falls Community School District—DECA Scholarships for Career Development Conferences: $1,000
• Little Falls Community School District—Dr. S. G. Knight Elementary Association Playground and Project Fund: $1,500
• Oasis Central Minnesota—Greater Resources: $2,000
• ConnectAbility of Minnesota—2021 Rural Transportation for Residents Living with Disabilities and the Elderly in Morrison County: $1,500
• City of Pierz—City Hall Bench and Planters: $800

Central Minnesota Builders Association Fund & Initiative

The following grants will support Tools for Schools.

• Albany Area School District: $2,376
• St. Cloud Area School District—ALC McKinley: $1,500
• Becker Public Schools: $1,400
• Browerville Public Schools: $1,249
• Foley School District: $1,000
• Kimball Area School District: $750
• Little Falls Community School District: $1,000
• Melrose Area School District: $1,500
• St. Cloud Area School District—North Junior High School: $1,500
• Rocori High School: $560
• Sartell High School: $1,468
• Sauk Rapids-Rice High School: $1,500
• St. Cloud Area School District—South Junior High School: $1,500
• Swanville High School: $2,500
• Upsala High School: $1,000

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2nd Quarter 2021 Partner Fund Grant Highlights

Rum River Community Foundation 

• City of Milaca—Milaca Area Veterans Memorial Park: $1,000 
• Milaca Township—Tables and Chairs: $200
• Mille Lacs Soil & Water Conservation District—Growing Community Connection With Youth While Developing a County Groundwater and Geological Atlas: $300 
• Milaca High School Hall of Fame—Milaca High School Kiosk: $500 
• City of Milaca Public Works Department—First Annual Kids Hands-on Event: $500 
• City of Milaca—Milaca RecFest Bluegrass Festival: $600 
• City of Milaca—Milaca Senior Center: $900 

Greater Pine Area Endowment

• Grindstone Lake Bible Camp—Pine City Residents Scholarship: $2,500 
• Pine City Heritage Players —Sound Equipment: $5,000 

Staples-Motley Area Community Foundation

• Faith Lutheran Church—2021Back-to-School Fair: $2,000 
• Staples-Motley Hall of Fame Development: $2,000 
• Staples Economic Development Authority—Batcher Block Opera House Capital Campaign Feasibility Study: $3,000 
• LEAP, Inc.—June Fest 2021: $3,000 
• Discover Staples—Connecting Entrepreneurial Communities Conference: $3,000 

Hackensack Lakes Area Community Foundation

• Leech Lake Legacy—Veterinary Spay and Neuter Suite: $500 
• Northwoods Arts Council—Lakeside Concert Series: $500 
• Kokoro Center for Music and the Performing Arts—Poetry in Public Places: $500 
• Backus Cornfest: $500 

Innovative School Project Fund

• Walker-Hackensack-Akeley Parent Teacher Organization: $5,000 
• Freshwater Education Foundation: $5,000 
• Wadena-Deer Creek School Parent Teacher Organization: $5,000 
• Lowell Elementary: $1,000 
• Upsala Area School District: $5,000 
• Verndale Parent Teacher Organization: $5,000 

Sauk Rapids-Rice Education Foundation

• Central Lakes College Staples Campus—Living Legacy Garden: $4,800 

The following grants will support the Sauk Rapids-Rice School District:  

• Dramatic Play: $314 
• First-Grade Take-Home Book Cart: $389 
• Large Motor Equipment for Early Childhood Family Education: $1,000 
• Nonfiction Library Revamp: $997 
• School-Wide Social-Emotional, Personal Growth and Development Book Inventory: $1,000 
• Inclusion, Diversity, Equity & Access (IDEA) Resources: $1,000 
• Logitech Crayons for iPads: $300 
  

Memorial Hospital Foundation (Serving Greater Isanti County)

• New Pathways, Inc.—In Memory of Dr. Ray Magnuson: $5,000 

Royalton Education Foundation

The following grants will support the Royalton School District:  

• Bringing A Bearded Dragon Into the Classroom: $1,500 
• Present, Respond, Connect to the Arts—Art Exhibit Furniture for Student Presentations: $2,000 
• Stock Ticker Display: $1,540 

Early Childhood Fund for Morrison County

• Little Falls Community School District—Early Childhood Grant: $1,000 

Bridges Manufacturing Workforce Development Fund

• Brainerd Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce Education Association—Thomas Taylor Scholarship: $1,000 
  

Pillager Education Foundation

• Pillager School District—Real Care Babies: $1,145 

Playing it Forward: The Kenneth and Evelyn Pinckney Young Musicians' Fund

The following grants will support the Little Falls Community School District:  

• Bari-Saxophone: $4,755 
• 2021 Spotlight Jazz Camp Award to Will Jorgenson: $650 

Thrive Fund

• Milestones—General Operating Support: $4,500 

Central Minnesota CEO Fund

• Wadena-Deer Creek School District—Close-out Grant: $26,346 

Patrick and Jane Mitchell Family Fund 

• River Park Community Foundation, Inc.—Alexander Park and Firefighters Splash Pad Pledge: $3,000 
• Colette & Paul Cameron Donor Advised Fund
• Friends of Pine Grove Zoo—Animal Acquisition: $6,077 

Paws and Claws Animal Shelter

• Paws & Claws Rescue & Resort—General Operating Support: $1,600 

Lake Region Conservation Club

• Sullivan Lake First Response Team—General Operating Support: $375 
• Hillman Area First Response Team—General Operating Support: $375 

Artesian Homes Charitable Fund

• Brainerd Sports Boosters Club, Inc.—Weight Room Project: $10,000 
• Family Life Church of the Assemblies of God—Verndale Area Christian Academy General Operating Support: $75,000 

Betty and Larry Nelson Family Fund 

• School Sisters of Notre Dame Central Pacific Province—Operating Support in Sierra Leone: $200 
• Minnesota Public Radio—General Operating Support: $200 
• Northwoods Humane Society—General Operating Support: $200 
• Kiva Microfunds—General Operating Support: $200 
• Friends of Mwangaza, Inc.—General Operating Support: $200 

Corey Borg-Massanari Foundation

• Taos Avalanche Rescue Dogs: $2,500 

Skolmate Fund for the Welfare of Animals

• Paws & Claws Rescue & Resort—General Operating Support: $1,450 
• Morrison County Animal Humane Society—General Operating Support: $1,450

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1st Quarter 2021 Partner Fund Grant Highlights

Staples Motley Area Community Foundation and its Emergency Relief Fund

• Becks Burgers Co.—Emergency Relief: $4,000
• Local Legends Bar—Emergency Relief: $1,500
• B&B's Sports Bar & Grill—Emergency Relief: $1,500
• Ives Family, LLC—Emergency Relief: $1,500
• Lefty's, Inc. —Emergency Relief: $1,500

Three Rivers Community Foundation

• Elk River School District—Patricia Sanford Scholarship: $500
• Elk River School District: $19,000
• Spectrum High School: $1,000

Hackensack Lakes Area Community Foundation: Emergency Relief Fund

• Hackensack Senior Citizens Club, Inc.—Emergency Relief: $727
• Family Safety Network—Emergency Relief: $1,000

Innovative Schools Project Fund

• Pine River-Backus School District: $5,000
• Brainerd Public Schools Foundation: $5,000
• Browerville Public Schools: $5,000
• Pierz Public Schools: $5,000
• Long Prairie/Grey Eagle School District: $5,000

Game Changers

• Hackensack Game Changers: $11,837

Irene Myres Memorial Endowed Scholarship Fund

• Pequot Lakes School District: $1,100 

Dorn Family Fund

• Delano Public Schools: $1,000 

Bert and Helen LeBlanc Legacy Scholarship Fund

• St. Cloud State University Foundation, Inc.: $1,000
• Central Lakes College Foundation: $500

 Archie and Isabelle Powell Family Memorial Scholarship Fund

• Elk River School District: $1,000 

ZES Scholarship Fund

• Zimmerman High School: $400 

Mel and Jeanette Beaudry Fund

• Global Developers Network, Inc. —The Hope Connection: $1,000
• Triumphant Faith Christian Center, The Launching Pad—General Operations: $700

Sacred Heart - Knights of Columbus Fund

• Sacred Heart Area School—General Operating Support: $500

Staples Knights of Columbus Council #1803-Lloyd & Marion Giddings Scholarship Fund

• Staples and Motley Dollars for Scholars: $2,800 

James and Susan J. Kurpius Family Fund

• Staples and Motley Dollars for Scholars: $3,000 

Manufacturing Fund of Central Minnesota

• Northeast Entrepreneur Fund, Inc. —Women's Business Alliance: $5,450
• St. Cloud State University—Hardness Tester: $5,000 

Little Falls Education Foundation

The following grants will support the Little Falls Community School District:  

• Geometry ALGEBROS Flipped Mastery Curriculum: $500
• Higher Algebra ALGEBROS Flipped Mastery Curriculum: $500
• Personalizing Learning in First Grade: $800
• Exercise Bikes & Rowing Machines for Physical Education Department: $1,500
• Special Education Sensory Needs: $1,500
• Poster Printer: $1,471
• Classroom Seating: $274
• Tables + Flexible Seating for the 21-22 School Year: $584
• Osmo for Schools: $1,500
• MS Aesthetics: Phase III—Raise the Bar Classroom Project: $500
• Enhancing Communication Skills in Preschool Students: $586
• Flexible Seating: $1,609
• Continuing Flexible Seating in the Third Grade: $729
• Garden to Table: $1,100 

Albany Area Education Foundation

The following grants will support the Albany Area School District:

• Social and Emotional Learning Library: $471
• Osmos and iPads: $1,200
• Math Flexible Seating for Personalized Instruction: $1,319
• Artist in Residency, Doug Wood: $950
• Project Read A Lot: $471
• Phonological Awareness—A Key Component for Readers: $558

Braham Area Education Foundation

The following grants will support Braham Area Schools:

• Naviance—College and Career Readiness: $1,500
• Flexible Seating: $789
• Classroom Needs: $565 

Patriot Foundation

• Pequot Lakes School District—Virtual Reality Science Lab: $1,500

Lakes Area Medical Development Fund

• The Outreach Program of Brainerd Lakes—Meal Packaging and Distribution to Local Agencies: $5,000
• Helping Paws of Minnesota, Inc.—Service and Facility Service Dogs for the Brainerd Lakes Area: $3,000

Onamia Early Childhood Endowment Fund

• Mille Lacs Health System/Onamia Area Early Childhood Coalition—Materials for Distance Learning: $500 

Bridges Manufacturing Workforce Development Fund

• Brainerd Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce Education Association—Bridges Manufacturing Workforce Development Fund Scholarship: $1,000

Bob and Pauline Johnson Memorial Scholarship Fund

• Isle School District: $3,000 

Paula and Chad Becker Fund

• Christ the King Catholic Church—Church and School Operations: $10,000
• Browerville Public Schools—Athletic Programs: $2,500
• Southwest Minnesota State University—Wrestling Program: $2,500

CWEPA

• Crow Wing County Lakes and Rivers Alliance—General Operating Support: $3,600

Alternative Sources of Energy Fund

• Milaca Scholarship Foundation: $4,125
• Milaca School District—Science Department: $1,375

Land and Waters Preservation Trust

• Whitefish Area Property Owners Association—General Operations: $13,800

Patrick and Jane Mitchell Family Fund

• ROCORI Area Dollars for Scholars: $500 

Beverly M. Pantzke Scholarship Fund

• Little Falls Community School District: $22,000

Mark Wood Foundation

• Little Falls Community School District: $5,500

Little Falls Scholarship Fund

• Little Falls Community School District: $3,100

William & Ethel Nelson Zimmerman Memorial Scholarship Fund

• Royalton School District: $1,600

Betty Ford Menzel Scholarship Fund

• Crosby-Ironton School District: $2,200

Shawn Grittner Memorial Fund

• St. Cloud Technical and Community College Foundation: $1,100 

H. Eugene Menzel Scholarship Fund

• Aitkin Dollars for Scholars: $1,200 

Artesian Homes Charitable Fund

• The Church on the Wise Road—Jamaican Missions: $1,500
• Heritage Church—Operating Support: $10,000
• Lincoln Evangelical Free Church—Operating Support: $10,000
• Lakes Area Pregnancy Support Center of Brainerd—General Operating Support: $7,500
• Family Life Church of the Assemblies of God—General Operating Support: $10,000
• Pillager School District—Pillager Huskies Fishing Team: $1,000
• Lake Region Christian School—General Operating Support: $50,000
• Family Life Church of the Assemblies of God—General Operating Support at Verndale Area Christian Academy: $50,000 

Fregin Foundation

• Little Falls Community School District: $500 

Sourcewell Region 5 COVID-19 Relief Fund

• The Outreach Program of Brainerd Lakes—COVID-19 Emergency Food Relief: $3,600

Central Minnesota Emergency Relief and Recovery Fund

• Mille Lacs Health System—A Mask Is Not a Big Ask: $2,000
• Leech Lake Tribal College—Marketing and Technology Upgrade: $3,000
• Boys & Girls Club of Central Minnesota—Eastside, Roosevelt & Southside Club In-person & Virtual Summer Programming & Meals: $15,000
• Central Minnesota Community Empowerment Organization—Early Childhood Student Support: $15,000
• Cambridge-Isanti School District Early Childhood Programs—Maintaining Stable and Nurturing Early Learning Relationships During COVID-19 Pandemic: $15,000
• Kid's Haven, LLC—Teaching and Caring for Children 6 Weeks to 12 Years Old: $15,000
• St. Mary's Early Learning Academy—Support for Underserved Children Impacted by COVID-19 Pandemic: $11,197
• STRIDE Academy—Supporting Underserved Students in Benton, Stearns, Sherburne and Wright Counties: $15,000
• Trinity Lutheran Church Learning Center—Distance Learning Methods, Technology and Training: $15,000
• WomenVenture—Family Child Care Business Essentials, Regional Training Opportunity: $5,000
• HousingLink—Beyond Backgrounds Expansion: Creating Housing Security for Vulnerable Renters: $4,000
• Lakes Area Pregnancy Support Center—Client Material Assistance: $4,000
• Second Harvest North Central Food Bank, Inc. —Increasing the Use of Pop-Up Markets to Meet Rising Food Insecurity: $5,000

Partner Fund Grant Rounds

The Initiative Foundation is proud to host a variety of Partner Funds for families, businesses, nonprofit organizations and volunteer-led groups. Our Partner Fund program allows local leaders to champion local causes while we provide the 501(c)(3) public charity infrastructure necessary for donor gifts to receive the highest possible charitable tax deduction. From community foundations to educational funds to special project and field-of-interest funds, the Initiative Foundation and its Partner Funds are working together to ensure strong and vibrant communities throughout Central Minnesota.

View Our Partner Fund Grant Schedule

• For more information on starting a Partner Fund, contact Community Philanthropy Manager Kate Bjorge. 
• For more information on applying for a Partner Fund grant, contact Program Specialist Kerie Thoma.