Grants Awarded

Lakes & Pines Community Action Council, Inc.—Leaning into Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Justice: $15,000 to support the organization in better serving its communities by focusing on diversity, equity, inclusion and justice.

Too Much Talent—Royalty Beauty School: $7,500 for strategic planning to explore opening an African American beauty school.

Lakes Center for Youth and Families—Families First Coaching Fund: $5,000 for a pilot of individualized parent coaching.

The Yes Network—Expanding Our Impact in Central Minnesota: $5,000 for an updated 2025-2028 business plan.

Deep Portage Foundation—Equity Plan Development: $1,550 for equity plan development.

Justice North—Justice North Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Training Initiative: $5,000 for civil legal aid services outreach events at Bug-O-Nay-Ge-Shig school.

Compassion Connection—Capacity, Infrastructure & Governance Development: $5,000 for fund development, board development and executive director training.

Central Minnesota Jobs and Training Services, Inc.—Workforce Development Board: $7,500 for strategic planning and inclusive growth.

Jugaad Leadership Program—Revisiting Mission and Business Plan: $5,000 to celebrate 10 years with the development of an updated business and strategic plan, including expanding revenue and business partnerships and programming priorities for future leadership programs.

What Would Bri Do—Growing Capacity, Growing Impact—Feasibility Study: $7,500 for a feasibility study for expansion of Bri’s Lodge.

D Blake Center—Pathway to Progress: $5,000 for strategic planning.

Recovery Community Network—Capacity Building for Financial and Grant Support: $5,000 for financial infrastructure capacity building.

Brenda’s Helping Hands NFP—Blueprint for Change: $5,000 for strategic planning and board development.

Trinity Children’s Center—In Honor of Kim Ellingson: $1,000 to support the organization in honor of Kim Ellingson’s time on the Initiative Foundation board of trustees.

Franciscan Legacy Community Services—In Honor of Julie Nelson: $500 to support the organization in honor of Julie Nelson’s service on the Initiative Foundation board of trustees.

SPARKS Mentoring of Staples-Motley—In Honor of Julie Nelson: $500 to support the organization in honor of Julie Nelson’s service on the Initiative Foundation board of trustees.

Gateway Church of the Christian and Missionary Alliance—In Honor of David Monroy: $1,000 to support the organization in honor of David Monroy’s service on the Initiative Foundation board of trustees.

Greater St. Cloud Development Corporation—Project Optimist Dialogues: $5,000 for guided conversations and food to build social bonds and community connections among St. Cloud-area college students.

Islamic Center of St. Cloud—Operating Support: $1,300 to support the organization.

Leech Lake Financial Services, Inc.—Operating Support: $1,300 to support the organization.

Anishinabe Legal Services, Inc.—Operating Support: $1,200 to support the organization.

Regional Native Public Defense Corporation—Operating Support: $1,300 to support the organization.

Boys & Girls Club of the Leech Lake Area—Operating Support: $1,300 to support the organization.

Leech Lake Tribal College—Operating Support: $1,300 to support the organization.

Mille Lacs Corporate Ventures—Operating Support: $1,300 to support the organization.

Leech Lake Tribal College—Operating Support: $50,000 to support climate resiliency through indigenous knowledge and food systems.

Benton Economic Partnership, Inc.—Mobilizing Climate-aligned and Community-led Capital Conference: $800 to build capacity to access funds associated with the Inflation Reduction Act and other clean energy-related grants.

Central Minnesota Housing Partnership, Inc.—Strategic Plan: $5,000 for strategic planning.

Tusen Tack—Braham Area Housing Analysis: $7,500 for a Braham-area housing analysis.

Central Minnesota Jobs and Training Services, Inc.—Focus Groups: $6,000 to support focus group feedback to aid program planning.

Camphill Village—Succession Planning Project: $7,500 for organizational succession planning.

National Inspection Academy—Strategic Planning: $3,000 for strategic planning.

Community Grassroots Solutions—Capacity Building Support: $7,500 for support of new digital engagement tools to increase fund development and improve outreach to community.

Pine County—Strategic Plan Implementation: $15,000 to support strategic planning.

Leech Lake Tribal College—Wild Rice Production Support: $25,000 to support production and distribution of quality food for those in need.

Hilltop Regional Kitchen—Organizational Support: $10,000 to support distribution of quality food to populations in need.

Sustainable Farming Association—Organizational Support: $25,000 to support production and distribution of quality food to populations in need.

Sprout—Organizational Support: $25,000 to support production and distribution of food for populations in need.

Boys & Girls Club of the Leech Lake Area—Local Food Support: $15,000 to support distribution of healthy foods to those in need.

Region Five Development Commission—Minnesota Pollution Control Agency Electric Vehicle Charging Stations: $20,000 to support the public installation of high-speed electric vehicle charging stations in Wadena and Cass Lake.

United Way of Central Minnesota—Healthy Neighborhood Partnership Program: $15,000 to support the Healthy Neighborhood Partnership Program.

Cass County Economic Development Corporation—Capacity-building to Support Affordable Housing Initiatives: $7,500 to build staff capacity to assist communities and to develop expanded workforce housing strategies.

City of Mora—Housing Market Analysis: $7,500 for a housing market analysis to identify opportunities within commuting distance of Mora.

See the full list of Otto Bremer Trust Community Responsive Fund grants.

Central Minnesota Reentry Project: $15,000 to provide social supports for the formerly incarcerated.

Faith in Action for Cass County—Technology Revitalized: $15,000 to support technology updates.

Emily Emergency Food Shelf—Training: $7,050 for board training and executive development.

Family Safety Network—Trauma-informed Practitioner Certification Training: $7,500 for two advocates to attend the Trauma Training Institute. Certification will allow these advocates to train additional Cass County professionals on trauma-informed care best practices.

Lakes & Pines Community Action Council, Inc.—Compensation Analysis: $5,000 to support a regional analysis of compensation scales of peer organizations to assure the organization is offering appropriate wages to employees.

Parenting with Grace, Inc.—Board of Directors Development and Coaching: $7,500 to fund board training and coaching to provide governance, strategic leadership, fiscal oversight, and diversity, equity and inclusion training.

Rivers of Hope—Elementary School Healthy Relationship Education: $7,500 for expanded programming to support the organization’s mission to end family violence through advocacy, education and interagency collaboration.

Rural Minnesota CEP, Inc.— Staff Training: $5,000 for strategic planning and diversity, equity and inclusion training.

St. Cloud Area Family YMCA—Parent Enrichment and Supervised Visitation Programs: $5,000 for expansion of the parent enrichment and supervised visitation program.

Tiny News Collective, Inc.—Project Optimist: $1,000 to provide unrestricted support for Project Optimist, in honor of Robbyn Wacker, former Intiative Foundation board member.

Walker Area Community Center—Financial Analysis and Consultation: $5,000 to hire a consultant to review the Walker Area Community Center’s financial systems to optimize operational efficiency.

Wright County Community Action, Inc.—Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Initiative: $3,900 to support the organization’s diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives.

Lighthouse Beginnings—Open Arms: $2,000 to support the Open Arms Community Center.

Conservation Minnesota—Environment & Natural Resources Trust Fund Reauthorization: $5,000 to support improved access to conservation funds.

City of Sandstone—Historic Sandstone School Workforce Housing: $5,000 to support the development of additional housing in Sandstone.

North Branch Area Public Schools—Viking Innovation Teacher Apprenticeship Model: $7,500 to support an apprentice teach pilot program.

Northland Foundation—A Stronger Regional Entrepreneurial Ecosystem: $10,000 to support economic development.

Paul Bunyan Scenic Byway Association—Three Byways 2024 Fall Daytrips Event: $7,000 to support coordinated promotion of three scenic byways that begin in Central Minnesota. The promtions would encourage visitors to extend their visit to the region.

Region Five Development Commission—Workforce Development Career Pathway Mapping: $5,000 to map career pathways to support residents of Cass, Crow Wing, Morrison, Todd and Wadena counties.

St. Cloud State University—Center for Policy Research and Community Engagement: $10,000 to help establish a new center to provide regionally focused policy research.

Central Minnesota Habitat for Humanity—Habitat Community Connectedness 2024: $5,000 to engage black, indigenous and people of color and income-eligible students in developing construction skills by working on homes in the Greater St. Cloud area.

Lighthouse Beginnings—Open Arms Community Resource Center: $6,000 to support the Open Arms project which provides a supportive, sober and safe environment that will help provide individuals with skills needed to break through roadblocks in their recovery.

Sourcewell—2024 Students of Character Sponsorship: $1,000 to support the 2024 Sourcewell Students of Character event.

United Way of Douglas and Pope County—Backpack Attack Program: $7,500 for a pilot Backpack Attack program for food-insecure families in the Long Prairie area.

Amherst H. Wilder Foundation—Minnesota Compass: $5,000 to support the Minnesota Compass program.

Anishinabe Legal Services, Inc.—Strategic Planning Project 2024: $7,500 for strategic planning.

180 Degrees—Building Organizational Capacity: $5,000 for piloting a parent liaison program to help families of youth experiencing homelessness.

Relationship Safety Alliance—Preserving History While Raising Funding and Awareness: $5,000 for developing materials to maximize fundraising efforts.

ConnectAbility of MN—2024 Volunteer Pilot Programs: $6,000 for a pilot program to increase volunteer engagement.

Someplace Safe—Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Project: $5,000 to support strategic planning for DEI initiatives.

Faith in Action in Sherburne County—Capacity Building for Services: $5,000 for increasing capacity of volunteers.

Walker Area Food Shelf—Marketing and Growth Strategy: $5,000 for new fundraising support utilizing new branding.

Main Street Family Services—Capacity Building Training: $5,000 for staff training to increase capacity to meet needs of at-risk individuals, children and families in their region.

Mille Lacs County—Childcare Coalition: $10,000 to improve access to quality child care.

Central MN Re-Entry Project—Vibrant and Equitable Communities Cohort: $5,000 to develop programming to support formerly incarcerated persons in Stearns, Benton and Sherburne counties.

Youth Following Our Lead—Capacity Building: $2,000 to provide professional development opportunities for staff and volunteers.

Bear Paws Cultural Art—Cultural Classes: $10,000 to support the organization’s mission of holding cultural classes for the community in East Central Minnesota and the indigenous lands surrounding the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe.

Lighthouse Beginnings—Vibrant and Equitable Communities Cohort: $5,000 to improve communication strategy, improve volunteer recruitment and update technology.

Meeting Points—Capacity Building: $5,000 for board development and staff capacity building.

Minnesota Humanities Center—Sketches of Minnesota: $15,000 to support the Sketches of Minnesota project in Central Minnesota.

Anderson Center—2024 Scholarships: $10,000 to provide cost-share scholarships to private and nonprofit sector managers to provide access to the high-quality management and leadership training opportunities available through the Anderson Center.

Greater St. Cloud Development Corporation—2024 Annual Investment: $25,000 to provide annual support to the Greater St. Cloud Development Corporation, the largest economic development entity in Central Minnesota.

Three Rivers Community Foundation—Sherburne County 2024-2025 Housing Study: $10,000 to support a housing study to be completed by Maxfield Research and Consulting.

Brainerd Lakes Area Economic Development Corporation (BLAEDC) —Supporting Economic Growth: $10,000 to support BLAEDC in its work with businesses and organizations needing analytics and data for their business decisions.

Crosby-Ironton Public Schools Foundation—Strategic Planning for Next 5 Years: $5,000 to support strategic planning for the organization.

Mille Lacs Area Community Foundation

• Family Pathways—Improved Access to Nutrient-rich Foods at the Onamia Food Shelf: $2,434
• Onamia Area Friends of the Library—Reaching Out to Brighten Days: $2,000

Delano Area Community Foundation

• Delano Public Schools—COMPASS Mental Health Awareness Day: $1,000
• Love INC Heartland—Fresh Start: $500
• Loretto Lightning Robotics Booster Club—Team Sponsorship: $1,000
• Delano Dramatic Company—2024-25 Season: $1,000

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

• 2025 Delano Sculpture Fest and Sculpture Walk: $1,000
• Delano Old-fashioned Christmas 2024: $1,000
• Delano Community Band: $1,000

Morrison County Area Foundation

• Arrows Family Services—Caregiver Support Program: $1,400

Staples-Motley Area Community Foundation

• LEAP, Inc.—Staples-Motley Golf Indoor Practice Facility: $3,000
• Staples-Motley School District—The Cardinal Way: $2,000
• Staples Historical Society—Polar Xpress Children’s Christmas Festival: $3,000
• Staples-Motley School District—Reality Store: $1,250
• Faith Lutheran Church—The Great Coat Giveaway: $750
• Staples Area Men’s Chorus—Little Red Caboose Variety Show: $1,000

Black Oak Getty Community Foundation

• Crow River Trail Guards, Inc.—New Lawn Mower for the Crow River Trail Guard Kids: $1,000
• United Way of Central Minnesota—Imagination Library Sauk Centre Area: $4,710
• Sauk Centre Area Combined Fund—Food Shelf: $2,000
• 510 Art Lab—Provide More Class Space by Remodeling the Basement for Storage Space for Artists and a Board Room: $2,500
• Junior Achievement North—Sauk Centre 2024-2025: $2,500
• Holy Family School Walking Classroom: $1,000
• Sauk Centre Trap Team: $3,000

The following grants were awarded to the Sauk Centre School District:

• Archery Boosters: $3,600
• 1:1 Technology Enhancement for Community Ed Programs: $2,000
• Robotics: $2,000

Princeton Revolving Loan Fund

• City of Princeton—Princeton Revolving Loan Fund Closure: $843

Josh Richardson Family Fund

• Elk River School District—Elk River and Zimmerman High Schools’ Construction Classes: $11,700

Mel & Jeanette Beaudry Fund

• Faith in Action in Sherburne County—Serving Our Communities: $700
• Serving Workers for the Harvest—The Hope Connection: $600
• Serving Workers for the Harvest—Anchored Warriors: $700

Julius Kurpius Family Fund

• Central Lakes College Foundation—Living Legacy Garden 2024: $1,800

Sauk Rapids-Rice Education Foundation

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

• Pedal Power: $1,000
• Game-based Learning: $600
• Outdoor Recreation Class: $488
• Keys to Creativity—Enhancing Music Education: $970
• Interactive Hands-on Learning for Neurodiverse Students Initiative: $949
• Explore, Move and Discover: $1,000
• Storm Store: $1,000
• Building Thinking Classrooms—Learning Through Thinking and Collaborating: $900
• Active Learning for Young Scientists—Hands-On Science Tools for Kindergarten: $1,000
• Encouraging Reluctant Readers: $1,000
• Fostering Curiosity, Creativity and Investigative Skills Throughout the Learning Environment: $990

Loren & Kathy Morey Fund

• The Hormel Institute University of Minnesota Medical Research Center—General Research Donation in Honor of Larry Anderson: $3,700

Manufacturing Fund of Central Minnesota

• East Central Development Partnership—Support/Sponsorship of Manufacturing Summit in North Branch: $700

Cuyuna Lakes Education Foundation

• Crosby-Ironton Public Schools Foundation—Operating Support: $15,000

Albany Area Education Foundation

The following grants were awarded to the Albany Area School District:

• Alternate Seating for Math Pod: $1,800
• Access Tables for Co-teaching Model: $1,000
• Fifth-Grade Math Manipulatives: $418
• Battle of the Books Final Set: $355
• Decodable Readers: $864
• Science Department Demonstration Kit: $1,000
• Calming Corner for Preschoolers: $539
• Preschool Sensory Play Activities: $500
• Next-level Reverse Engineering: $989

Memorial Hospital Fund (Serving Greater Isanti County)

• Every Meal—Weekend Meal Program: $5,000

Bluejacket Education Foundation

The following grants were awarded to the Cambridge-Isanti School District:

• Baby Chicks: $500
• Cambridge Middle School Health and Fitness Training Center: $1,750
• Character Kiosk: $2,000
• Enhancing Math Skills through Board Games—A Community Approach: $652
• Update Our Clamps From 1980 to 2024: $900
• Genrefying the Fiction Collections: $2,000
• Clear Kitchen Vision: Enhancing Culinary Learning with Visual Tech: $1,850
• Early Childhood Special Education: $1,500

Early Childhood Fund for Morrison County

• Early Childhood Outreach: $1,000

Early Childhood Partner – Isanti County

• 2024 Early Childhood Partnership for Isanti County—Annual Disbursement: $3,200

Pinckney Fund

• Little Falls Theatre Company—The Music Man: $250
• Sprout—Farmer’s Market Event Performance: $250
• Lakes Area Music Festival—General Operations: $2,500

The following grants were awarded to the Little Falls Community School District:

• Eastman Bass Trombone from Eckroth Music: $3,170
• Fanfare and Concert March Composition by Timothy Mahr: $4,800
• Project BandAid: $880

Chuck Christian Community Spirit

• Open Doors For Youth—Mental Health Programming: $1,700

Gaalswyk Family Fund

• Youth Investment Foundation—General Operations: $450
• My Neighbor to Love Coalition—General Operations: $450
• Lakes Area Pregnancy Support Center of Brainerd—General Operations: $900

Wright County Historical Society Fund

• Wright County Historical Society—Programming and Exhibits: $4,700

Patrick & Jane Mitchell Family Fund

• Quiet Oaks Hospice House—Operating Support: $2,500
• Saint Benedict’s Monastery—Give to the Max Fundraiser 2024: $10,000
• Africa Jam—Operating Support: $2,000
• Stearns County Historical Society, Inc.—Operating Support: $2,000
• Rocori Area Dollars for Scholars—2024-25 Scholarships: $1,000
• Anna Marie’s Alliance—Operating Support: $2,000
• Abbott House Foundation—Operating Support: $2,000
• Great River Educational Arts Theatre—Great Theatre Program: $3,000
• Andra Heart Foundation—Operating Support: $3,000
• Rocori School District—Rocori Action Pack Program: $2,000
• The Yes Network—Operating Support: $3,000
• United Way of Central Minnesota—Operating Support: $3,000
• St. Cloud State University Foundation, Inc.— Baseball Program: $3,000
• CommunityGiving—Operating Support: $2,000

Bunger Family Endowment Fund

• Quiet Oaks Hospice House—General Operations: $1,100

Hanowski Family Fund

• Little Falls Sports Arena, Inc.—Blue Line Club: $1,100

Shawn Grittner Memorial Fund

• Holy Family Church Belle Prairie—2024 Holiday Gift Program: $1,000
• Morrison County Food Shelf—Feeding People in Need in Morrison County: $200

Artesian Homes Charitable Fund

• Camp Shamineau of the Evangelical Free Church—Camp Sponsorship Artesian: $40,000

Three Rivers Community Foundation

• Elk River School District—Best Buddies: $1,500
• Friends of the Mississippi River—Improving Habitat and Recreation Through Planning, Restoration, and Volunteerism: $1,000
• Granny’s Closet—Good Nights From Granny’s: $2,500
• Elk River YMCA—Childcare Scholarships: $2,500
• Make-A-Wish Minnesota—Improve Quality of Life for Children Living with Critical Illnesses in Elk River: $1,000
• Community Aid of Elk River—Kid’s Weekend Package Program: $5,000
• Sherburne County Health & Human Services—Child Foster Care and Kinship Provider Support: $3,000
• Thumbs Up High 5K—Referral Assistance Program: $2,500
• Young Life—Middle School Wildlife Program Start-up: $1,500
• Main Street Family Services—Creating Access to Services for Families: $3,000
• Open Doors For Youth—Mental Health Support for Youth Experiencing Homelessness: $2,500
• Christians Reaching Out In Social Service (CROSS)—Family Advocacy and Sustainability Project: $5,000
• Rivers of Hope—Youth Empowerment Through Domestic Violence Advocacy and Education: $3,000
• Magnus Veterans Foundation—Trauma Yoga: $2,000
• Senior Community Service—The HOME Program—Enabling Independence and Stable Housing for Seniors: $1,000
• Faith in Action in Sherburne County—Caregiver Classes for Fall: $1,000
• Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Minnesota—Youth Mentoring: $2,000
• Every Meal—Weekend Meal Program: $1,500
• Gifts Anonymous 2024: $2,500
• Sherburne County Area United Way—Imagination Library: $1,000
• Passing the Bread: $2,000

Mille Lacs Area Community Foundation

• Aitkin County Soil and Water Conservation District—Keep It Clean: $4,310

Greater Pine Area Endowment

• St. Mary’s Early Learning Academy (Immaculate Conception Church)—Improve and Replace Flooring in Childcare Center Classrooms: $5,000
• Pine EMS, Inc.—Response Vehicle: $6,500

Morrison County Area Foundation

• Lutheran Social Services of Minnesota—Meals for Low-Income/At-Risk Seniors in Morrison County: $800
• Franciscan Sisters of Little Falls—Green Fair Folk Festival: $500
• Junior Achievement North—2024-2025 Programming in Morrison County: $500
• Friends of Linden Hill, Inc.—Irrigation/Sprinkler: $2,000
• Morrison County United Way—2024-2025 Tools for Schools: $800
• Little Falls Bicycles—Helping Get More People on Bicycles: $500
• Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Minnesota—Pierz School-Based Youth Mentoring Program: $2,000

Staples-Motley Area Community Foundation

• LEAP, Inc.—Railroad Days: $3,000
• City of Staples—Park Playground Improvement: $1,316
• Old Wadena Society—Old Wadena Rendezvous and Chautauqua: $2,000
• LEAP, Inc.—Staples Pickleball Association: $5,000

Central Minnesota Builders Association Fund & Initiative

The following schools received 2024-2025 Tools for Schools grants.

• Albany Area School District: $2,487
• Browerville Public Schools: $1,500
• Becker Public Schools: $2,035
• Cathedral High School: $400
• Eden Valley-Watkins School District: $1,500
• Elk River School District: $1,500
• Foley School District: $1,750
• Melrose Area School District: $1,200
• Milaca School District: $2,500
• Monticello School District: $1,500
• Rocori School District: $750
• Sartell – St. Stephen School District: $2,000
• Sauk Rapids-Rice School District: $2,500
• St. Cloud Area School District—South Junior High School: $2,500
• St. Cloud Area School District—St. Cloud Tech High School: $350
• St. Cloud Area School District—North Jr. High School: $1,500
• Kimball Area School District: $1,000
• Swanville School District: $1,500
• Upsala School District: $750

Cuyuna Lakes Education Foundation

• Crosby-Ironton Public Schools Foundation—Operating Support: $20,000

Braham Area Education Foundation

• Braham Area Schools—Long Lake Nature School: $2,000

Memorial Hospital Fund

• Isanti County Historical Society—Trail to the Past: $2,800

Royalton Education Foundation

• Royalton School District—Care Closet: $2,000
• Royalton School District—Playground Communication Board: $3,500

Bluejacket Education Foundation

The following grants were awarded to the Cambridge-Isanti School District:

• Media Center Flexible Seating: $2,000
• READ@CMS: $1,000
• IIS and STEAM 3D Printer Technology Integration Initiative: $1,900
• Replace Outdated Reference Materials in the High School Media Center: $2,000
• Cambridge-Isanti Early Childhood Program Outdoor Classroom Project: $1,927
• Wooden Stand-up Paddle Board: $950

Ellen McGregor Endowment for Education

• Verndale Family Life Church of the Assemblies of God—Verndale Area Christian Academy Scholarships: $15,000

Marie & David Fischer Family Fund

• Lutheran Social Service, Baxter Youth Shelter, Camp Knutson—Baxter Cabin Rebuild Project: $10,000

Lakes Area Medical Development Association

• Pohl Children’s Scholarship Foundation—Grief Support Programs: $2,100

Patrick & Jane Mitchell Family Fund

• Poor Clare Monastery of Sauk Rapids: $2,500
• Saint Benedict’s Monastery—Schola: $7,500

John & Bonnie Schlagel Endowment

• Coon Rapids Animal Humane Society—Animal Care: $2,000
• Anoka-Ramsey Community College Foundation—Scholarship in Memory of Evan Stein: $2,000
• Cambridge Ambassador Program—General Operations: $1,500
• Cambridge Community College Center Foundation—2025 Cambridge Scholardazzle Fundraiser: $1,500
• Grandy Community Center, Inc.—General Operations: $2,000
• Mayo Clinic—Alzheimer’s Program Donation: $2,000
• Mayo Clinic—Cancer Program Donation: $3,500
• Tres Islas Orphanage Fund—Mexican Orphanages (General Operations and Animal Care): $2,200
• University of Minnesota Foundation—Veterinary Medicine Scholarship: $2,500
• A Place For You—Housing for Homeless Individuals: $2,000
• Alexandra House, Inc.—Domestic Abuse Program: $2,000
• Cambridge-Isanti School District—Early Childhood Program: $2,200
• Cambridge-Isanti Dollars for Scholars Foundation—Scholarships: $2,000
• Family Pathways—Food Shelf Program: $3,000
• Family Pathways—Refuge Network Shelter Domestic Abuse Program: $3,000
• New Pathways, Inc.—Housing for Homeless Families: $3,000
• Pine Technical & Community College Foundation—Scholarships: $2,000

Anderson Brothers Family Fund

• The Outreach Program of Brainerd Lakes—New Well: $5,000
• Community Care ‘N’ Share Cafe—Operating Support: $5,000

Artesian Homes Charitable Fund

• THE LINK—General Operations: $5,000

Corey Borg-Massanari Foundation

• Taos Avalanche Rescue Dogs—Avalanche Rescue Dog: $1,800
• City of Brainerd—Avalanche Training Course: $3,800
• Wild and Free Wildlife Rehabilitation Program—Operating Support: $2,000

Rum River Community Foundation

• Arrows Family Services—Arrows After School: $1,000
• City of Milaca—2024 Milaca Rhythm on the Rum Parade: $800
• City of Milaca—2024 Kids Hands-on Event: $550
• Foreston Fire Department—Turnout Gear Refresh: $1,000
• Milaca Fine Arts Council—Music in the Park 2024: $800
• Milaca Fire and Rescue—Fire Safety Week Education and Open House: $1,000
• Milaca High School Hall of Fame—2024 Induction Ceremony: $500
• Milaca RecFest & Activities: $750
• Milaca School District—Milaca Unified Track & Field Meet: $1,000
• Rum River Special Education Cooperative—Communication Boards Promoting Playground Inclusion: $1,000
• Trinity Lutheran Church of Milaca—Milaca Wolves Snack Pack Program: $1,000

Greater Pine Area Endowment

• New Horizon Thrift Store—Safety and Security: $2,000
• Pine City Athletic Association: $5,000
• Pine City Youth Hockey Association—Free Opportunities for Pine City Youth Hockey: $3,540
• Pine Technical & Community College Foundation—Lakeside Student Rec/Life Center: $11,000
• Pregnancy Resource Center of Pine City—Relocation Signage: $4,000

Staples Motley Area Community Foundation

• LEAP, Inc.—Staples-Motley Grad Blast: $4,200
• Motley Community Events Organization—2024 June Fest: $3,000
• Staples Motley Beyond Poverty—Community Cleanup Support Project: $1,000
• Wadena County—Free Rides for Summer Recreation/Activities: $1,500

Hackensack Lakes Area Community Foundation

• Deep Portage Foundation—Weather Station: $1,000
• Hackensack Game Changers—Hackensack Community Garden: $500
• Northwoods Arts Council—2024 Lakeside Concert Series: $500
• Northwoods Arts Council—2024 Music Festival Featuring Josh Duffee and his Big Band: $500
• City of Hackensack—Local Housing Trust Fund: $500
• Game Changers Beautification Team—Hackensack Neighbor Helping Neighbor Community Clean-up: $500
• Hackensack Game Changers—Beautification Flower Team: $675
• Pine Mountaineer Senior Center—Community Support: $800

Princeton Revolving Loan Fund

• City of Princeton—Revolving Loan Fund Payout: $111,008

Gull Chain Preservation Endowment Fund

• Gull Chain of Lakes Association—Emergency Distribution: $47,422

Friends of Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge

• Friends of Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge, Inc.—Amphitheater Project: $65,000

Prairie Lights: Pioneering

• CommunityGiving—Bryce Mink Memorial Scholarship: $1,000

Little Falls Education Foundation

The following grants were awarded to Little Falls Community School District:

• Flexible Seating for the English Classroom: $964
• Flexible Seating: $1,000
• Classroom Items: $23
• Henry’s Room: $1,000
• Innovative Minds: $1,400
• Games and Activities for Personalized and Individualized Learning in Preschool: $1,500
• Social Emotional Learning: $953
• Interactive Notebooks in the Middle School Classroom: $200
• Exploration Duration: $1,500
• English Office Private Space: $645
• Document Camera and Classroom Furniture: $150
• Piano Keyboard Lab Updates: $1,500
• Flyer Robotics Team 4623: $1,200
• Powder Coating Setup: $1,500
• Classroom Materials: $1,000
• Special Education Classroom Materials: $680
• DSLR Cameras: $1,500
• Classroom Support Materials: $1,252
• Horseshoe Table for Small Group Interventions: $1,000
• Exploration Station: $1,204

Lake Region Christian School Education Foundation

• Scholarships and Classroom Enhancements: $34,500

Braham Area Education Foundation

The following grants were awarded to Braham Area Schools:

• Early Childhood Family Education and Preschool Outdoor Learning Area: $650
• S.M.A.R.T: $1,250
• Elementary All Star Summer Reader: $1,463
• Flexible Seating: $750
• Elementary Sensory Walk: $3,000
• Braham Student Council—Service at 2024 Spring Gala: $250

Royalton Education Foundation

• Royalton School District—Care Closet: $1,500

Pillager Education Foundation

• Pillager School District—Scholarships: $22,575

Pinckney Fund

• Friends of Linden Hill, Inc.: $250

Patrick & Jane Mitchell Family Fund

• St. Cloud State University Foundation, Inc.—Baseball Support: $3,000

Colette & Paul Cameron Donor Advised Fund

• Friends of Pine Grove Zoo—Animal Acquisition: $7,500

Shawn Grittner Memorial Fund

• Little Falls Community School District—Shawn Grittner Memorial Scholarship: $1,000

Madden’s Pine Beach Scholarship Fund

• Pillager School District—Madden’s Pine Beach Scholarship: $3,500

Artesian Homes Charitable Fund

• Bridges of Hope—General Operations: $500
• Heritage Church—General Operations: $10,000
• Lincoln Evangelical Free Church—General Operations: $50,000
• THE LINK—General Operations: $25,000

Corey Borg-Massanari Foundation

• Freshwater Education District—Purchase a Certified Comfort Dog: $1,000
• Lakeshore Conservation Club, Inc.—Lakes Area Shooting Sports Event: $1,000

Three Rivers Community Foundation

The following schools receiving scholarship funding from the Three Rivers Community Foundation:

• Elk River High School: $8,000
• Rogers High School: $8,000
• Zimmerman High School: $5,000
• Ivan Sand High School: $2,000
• Spectrum High School: $2,000

Black Oak Getty Community Foundation

• Crow River Trail Guards, Inc.—Funding for Three Canoe Back Packs to be Used by the Youth in the Crow River Trail Guards: $1,000
• Sauk Centre Dollars for Scholars—Black Oak Getty Community Foundation Scholarships: $1,000

Tollefson Scholarship

• Pine City School District—Tollefson Scholarship: $15,000

Mary Jean Tillman Healthcare Scholarship Fund

• Little Falls Community Schools—Mary Jean Tillman Healthcare Scholarship: $5,000

Irene Myres Memorial Scholarship Fund

• Pequot Lakes High School—Irene Myres Memorial Endowed Scholarship: $1,200

Silver Lining Scholarship Fund

• Little Falls Community High School—Silver Lining Scholarship Fund: $500

Dorn Family Fund

• Delano School District—Dorn Family Fund Scholarship: $1,100

Bert and Helen LeBlanc Legacy Scholarship Fund

• Central Lakes College Foundation—Bert and Helen LeBlanc Legacy Scholarship: $500
• St. Cloud State University Foundation, Inc.—Bert and Helen LeBlanc Legacy Scholarship: $1,000

Archie and Isabelle Powell Family Memorial Scholarship Fund

• Elk River High School—Archie and Isabel Powell Family Memorial Scholarship Fund: $1,500

Gull Chain Preservation Endowment Fund

• Brainerd Lakes Area Community Foundation—Gull Chain of Lakes Association Aquatic Invasive Species Fund: $21,100

Sacred Heart Area School Endowmennt Fund

• Sacred Heart Area School—2024 Operating Support: $2,300

Staples Knights of Columbus Council #1803

• Staples & Motley Dollars for Scholars—Staples Knights of Columbus Council #1803-Lloyd & Marion Giddings Scholarship Fund: $2,900

Julius Kurpius Family Fund

• Staples & Motley Dollars for Scholars—James & Susan Kurpius Fund for the Staples & Motley Dollars for Scholars Scholarship: $3,900

Minnesota Pioneer Park Fund

• Minnesota Pioneer Park—2024 General Operating Support: $1,000

Manufacturing Fund of Central Minnesota

• Northeast Entrepreneur Fund, Inc.—Women’s Business Alliance – 2024: $9,000

Braham Area Education Foundation

• Braham Area Schools—Special Education New Resource Room: $1,000
• Braham Area Schools—Fundamental Chemistry Lab Equipment: $3,700

Memorial Hospital Fund

• New Pathways, Inc.—New Pathways Program Support: $10,000

Royalton Education Foundation

The following grants were awarded to the Royalton School District:

• Enhancing Classroom Engagement, Creativity, Learning and Social Skills Through Educational Games: $520
• Grade Two Innovate—Flexible Seating Revolution: $1,013
• An Art Room for Creative Minds: $530
• Mrs. Thoma’s Lego Education Kits: $320
• Class Set of Microscopes: $1,000
• Robots and Books: What More Could you Want?: $170
• Increasing Independence: $1,000
• Preschool STEAM and Social Emotional Learning: $450

Wadena City Library Fund

• City of Wadena—Library Renovation Project: $146,160

EAA Chapter 551

• St. Cloud Experimental Aircraft Association Chapter 551—Close-out Grant: $5,176

Bottemiller Family Fund

• Wadena-Deer Creek School District—Bottemiller Scholarships: $1,600

Lakes Area Medical Development Association

• City of Fifty Lakes—Fifty Lakes Park: $2,000
• Lakes Area Interfaith Caregivers—Interfaith Volunteers Medical Development Fund: $4,000
• Community Action of Pequot Lakes—Splash Pad: $4,000

Brainerd Public School Early Childhood Fund

• Brainerd Public Schools Foundation—Early Childhood Support: $1,600

Onamia Early Childhood Endowment Fund

• Mille Lacs Health System—Story Time Fun at Onamia Depot Library: $1,100

The Bruske-Johnson Scholarship Fund

• Isle High School—The Bruske-Johnson Memorial Scholarship: $3,000

Pillager Education Foundation

The following grants were awarded to the Pillager School District:

• Dyslexia Support: $1,439
• Flexible Seating: $600
• LIGHT TABLE: $861
• Word Work and Independent Work Time Enhancement Materials: $450
• Word Work Manipulatives: $1,650

Paula and Chad Becker Fund

• Christ the King Catholic Church—Church and School Operations: $10,000
• Never Surrender, Inc.—ALS Support and Research: $3,000

CWEPA Fund

• Crow Wing County Lakes and Rivers Alliance—General Operating Support: $3,800

Family Farm Fund

• Raising a Farmer—Farm Engagements: $3,000

The Thrive Fund

• Milestones—2024 Disbursement: $7,000

Alternative Sources of Energy Fund

• Milaca Scholarship Foundation—Alternative Sources of Energy Scholarship: $4,350
• Milaca School—Science Department: $1,450

Land and Waters Preservation Trust

• Whitefish Area Property Owners Association—2024 Operating Support: $14,900

Colette and Paul Cameron Donor Advised Fund

• Friends of Pine Grove Zoo—Animal Acquisition: $12,000

Beverly M. Pantzke Scholarship Fund

• Little Falls Community High School—Beverly M. Pantzke Scholarship Fund: $24,000

Anderson Brothers Family Fund

• Lord of Life Lutheran Church—Peer Ministry Training: $2,500

Mark Wood Foundation

• Lincoln Elementary Mentorship Program: $5,900

Paws and Claws Animal Shelter

• Paws & Claws Rescue & Resort—Operating Support: $1,700

William & Ethel Nelson Zimmerman Memorial Scholarship Fund

• Little Falls Community School District—William & Ethel Nelson Zimmerman Memorial Scholarship: $1,700

Betty Ford Menzel Scholarship Fund

• Crosby-Ironton High School—Betty Ford Menzel Scholarship Fund: $2,700

Shawn Grittner Memorial Fund

• St. Cloud Technical & Community College Foundation—Shawn Grittner Memorial Fund Scholarship: $1,100

Lake Region Conservation Club

• Sullivan Lake First Response Team—Operating Support: $550
• Hillman Area First Response Team—Operating Support: $550

H. Eugene Menzel Scholarship Fund

• Aitkin Dollars for Scholars—H. Eugene Menzel Scholarship: $2,100

Artesian Homes Charitable Fund

• Sports Boosters Club, Inc.—Hallway Turf Project: $10,000
• Stare Academy—General Fund: $50,000
• Pillager School District—Pillager Huskies Fishing Team: $1,000

Corey Borg-Massanari Foundation

• Vail Mountain School—Emily Franciose Outdoor Learning Fund: $1,000

Fregin Foundation

• Little Falls Community High School—Fregin Foundation Scholarship: $1,200

Skolmate Fund for the Welfare of Animals

• Paws & Claws Rescue & Resort—Operating Support: $3,150
• Morrison County Animal Humane Society—Operating Support: $3,150