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

Learn More

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

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

2021 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. 

2021 Review Schedule

Eligibility

We seek to make strategic investments during critical phases in an organization's history and to be a catalyst for innovative and bold ideas, approaches and initiatives. Therefore, past recipients of funding should not necessarily assume that they will receive funding every year.

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 Wright counties, and the portions of the sovereign tribal nations of the Leech Lake and Mille Lacs Bands of Ojibwe which lay within these counties. 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 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 creative activities or strategies to address workforce shortages and/or re-training by those displaced by the COVID-19 pandemic. 
• Support for strategic planning, fund development, board training or other capacity building initiatives for nonprofits that advance economic security for vulnerable households and financially disadvantaged people.
• Projects responding to the COVID-19 pandemic in one of our region’s three communities which are home to large meat processing facilities (Cold Spring, Melrose and Long Prairie).
• 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 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 grants to pilot communities in partnership with First Children's Finance to improve access to economically sustainable, quality, affordable childcare; grants on behalf of the Minnesota Department of Education to support young children impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic; and support to the city of Becker and Sherburne County as they prepare for decommissioning of the Sherburne County coal-generation facility and associated loss of the community’s primary tax base.

Additional Grant-Funded Programs

• Nonprofit Development Programs: Programs provide organizations with training on business topics and fund development to strengthen long-term resiliency. Learn more here. 
• Initiators Fellowship: A two-year program providing a suite of supports to Greater Minnesota early-stage social entrepreneurs leading change in their community. Learn more here. 
• Enterprise Academy Program: A training program for minority and income-eligible entrepreneurs. Learn more here. 

Questions?

The Initiative Foundation strives to treat applicants with courtesy and respect. Staff members are sensitive to varying levels of experience in completing applications and encourages open communication with applicants needing additional assistance.  

Current Grantees: Financial Reports

The Financial Report Form is for organizations currently receiving a grant. Once completed, refer to the provided instructions for next steps.

2021 Grant Highlights

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. 

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.

View past Innovation Fund grant awards.

2021 Partner Fund Grant Highlights

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 

  ---

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.