Grants Awarded

Nine organizations received Emerging Needs & Nonprofit Capacity-Building grants, totaling $58,200. See the full list.

Community Aid of Elk River—40th Anniversary Good Neighbor Honoree: $5,000 to honor Heather Kliewer.

Hilltop Regional Kitchen—40th Anniversary Good Neighbor Honoree: $5,000 to honor Verna Toenyan.

City of Isanti—Entrepreneur Ecosystem: $4,000 to support an entrepreneur workshop series.

Rush City School District—Energy & Resiliency Study for the Rush City Aquatic Center: $8,000 to help support an energy audit.

Leech Lake Tribal College—Workforce Trades Student Success: $11,052 to support the trades programs to increase industry-recognized credentialing and career advancement for students.

Central Minnesota Community Foundation—Rural Poverty Fund: $3,600 to support the Rural Poverty Fund annual grants.

CentraCare Long Prairie—Food Scarcity: $546 to support the CentraCare Long Prairie Food Pantry Box.

Thriving Communities

The Initiative Foundation awarded $9,500 to support projects developed by communities and organizations participating in its Thriving Communities program.

• City of Motley—Open House and Park Improvements: $1,000 to support an open house and park improvements.
• City of Taylors Falls—Rustic Trails Project: $1,000 to support the Rustic Trails Project.
• Paynesville Community Education: $2,500 to support participation in the Initiative Foundation’s Thriving Communities program.
• Avon Hills Folk School: $2,500 to support participation in the Initiative Foundation’s Thriving Communities program.
• Menahga Historical Society: $2,500 to support participation in the Initiative Foundation’s Thriving Communities program.

In the second quarter of 2026, the Initiative Foundation awarded $85,200 in Joy and Connection grants to 18 organizations. See the full list.

The Foundation also awarded $67,100 in Energy & Community Resiliency grants to six organizations. See the full list.

Fe y Justicia—40th Anniversary Honoree: $5,000 to support the mission of the organization.

Tusen Tack—40th Anniversary Honoree: $5,000 to support the mission of the organization.

City of Hinckley: $5,000 to support a housing study.

Career Solutions: $3,000 to support CareerONE’s Manufacturing Career Pathway at St. Cloud Community and Technical College.

Paul Bunyan Scenic Byway Association: $2,000 to support organizational planning meetings with a professional coach.

Breath of Life Adult Day Service: $5,000 to support senior respite programming.

Rush City: $5,000 to support a feasibility study for a potential public safety and administration center.

Habitat for Humanity of Morrison County: $3,500 to support student construction projects in partnership with the Little Falls High School.

North Star Family Advocacy Center: $5,000 for expanded access to trauma-informed victim services in Kanabec County.

City of Motley: $5,000 to support business facade improvements for businesses along Highway 10.

Advocates for Reproductive Education: $1,000 in honor of Harla Charlier’s service on the Initiative Foundation’s Board of Trustees.

Center for Rural Policy & Development: $5,000 to support the economic and community development activities of the Center for Rural Policy & Development.

Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation: $10,000 to support the Minnesota Values Campaign Fund.

Braham Evangelical Lutheran Church—Community Class Coordination: $4,000 for a community brainstorming session.

Braham Evangelical Lutheran Church—Thriving Braham Celebration: $1,000 to support the Thriving Braham Celebration.

Cascade United Methodist Church—Lunch Bunch Program: $1,000 for the Lunch Bunch Program.

Boys & Girls Club of Central Minnesota—Westwood Elementary Support: $4,100 for emergency child care support.

Faith In Action for Cass County: $10,000 to provide volunteer rural transportation in Cass County.

Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid—Immediate Response Grant: $15,000 for organizational support.

Anishinabe Legal Services—Immediate Response Grant: $15,000 for organizational support.

Morrison County Jail—Write On! Program Support: $5,000 to support a writing program for inmates.

City of Sebeka—Red Eye River Days Celebration: $1,000 toward the annual community celebration.

• North Star Family Advocacy Center: $1,000
• A Place for You: $1,000
• Ultimate Success Insight: $1,000
• Terebinth Refuge: $1,000
• OneCommunity Alliance: $1,000
• Promise Neighborhood of Central Minnesota: $1,000
• Recovery Community Network: $1,000
• Scouting America: $1,000
• Arrive Ministries: $1,000
• Youthset: $1,000

• Art Rush: $500
• Avon Hills Folks School: $500
• Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Minnesota: $500
• Catholic Charities of the Diocese of St. Cloud: $500
• District 742 Local Education Activities Foundation: $500
• Faith In Action for Cass County: $500
• Hands of Hope Resource Center, Inc.: $500
• Heijeu: $500
• Lakes Area Food Shelf, Inc.: $500
• Main Street Family Services: $500
• Northland Arboretum: $500
• Single Parents Resources & Support: $500
• The Outreach Program of Brainerd Lakes: $500
• What Would Bri Do: $500
• Braham Evangelical Lutheran Church: $500

Greater St. Cloud—Annual Investment: $25,000 for the 2026 annual investment.

Anna Marie’s Alliance—Operations: $1,000 in honor of Santo Cruz’s board service.

In the first quarter of 2026, $40,000 was awarded in rapid response funding to seven organizations.

Three Rivers Community Foundation

• Elk River School District—Zimmerman Thunder Way Raffle: $700
• Senior Community Services—The HOME Program, Enabling Independence and Stable Housing for Seniors: $1,000
• Grant’s Pack Backpacks for Cancer: $1,000
• Great River Young Life—Student Equity and Access Initiative: $1,000
• Great River Area Faith in Action—Caregiver Support: $1,000
• Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Minnesota—Building Stronger Communities Through Mentoring: $1,000
• Can Do Canines—Starter Kits for Clients Placed with Assistance Dogs in Service Area: $1,000
• Sherburne County Health & Human Services—Child Foster Care & Kinship Provider Support: $1,000
• Granny’s Closet—Good Nights From Granny’s: $2,000
• Hoodlum Nonprofit—Help for Hard Times: $2,000
• You’re Not Alone—Sustaining Healing Paws in Elk River Schools: $2,000
• Thumbs Up High 5k—Nana’s Calming Corners to Build Emotional Resilience in Three Rivers Schools: $2,000
• St. Michael-Albertville Food Pantry—Vehicle/Food Rescue Expansion Project: $2,500
• Rivers of Hope—Youth Advocacy in Sherburne County: $3,000
• Main Street Family Services—Pathways to Stability Fund: $3,000
• EVERY MEAL—Weekend Meal Program: $4,000
• Passing the Bread—Addressing Ongoing Food Scarcity in Zimmerman Area: $5,000
• Christians Reaching Out In Social Service (CROSS)—Family Advocacy and Sustainability Project: $7,500
• Community Aid Elk River (CAER)—Kids Weekend CAER Package: $7,500

Rum River Community Foundation

• Milaca Fire Fighters Relief Association—Open House and School Education Project: $1,000

Morrison County Area Foundation

• Little Falls Community School District—Music in the Middle School: $1,200
• Arrows Family Services—Morrison County Community & Family Resource Center: $2,000
• Oasis Central Minnesota, Inc.—Picnic Pals: $2,000
• Hands of Hope Resource Center, Inc., Little Falls—Supporting Victims of Domestic and Sexual Violence: $1,200
• Little Falls Bicycles—Cycle Forward Morrison County: $1,200
• Little Falls Theatre Company—Winter Cabaret: $1,500
• Raising a Farmer—Farm Engagements: $2,000

Central Minnesota Builders Association Fund & Initiative

The following grants supported industrial arts programs to educate students on careers in the trades:

• Albany Area School District: $2,000
• Becker Public Schools: $2,100
• Browerville School District: $1,500
• Eden Valley-Watkins School: $1,000
• Foley Public School District: $1,500
• Kimball Area School District: $1,500
• Milaca School District: $2,000
• Rocori School District: $1,500
• Royalton School District: $1,058
• Sartell – St. Stephen School District: $2,000
• Sauk Rapids-Rice School District: $2,000
• Swanville Public School District: $1,200
• Upsala School District: $1,000
• St. Cloud Area School District North Junior High School: $1,500
• St. Cloud Area School District South Junior High School: $1,500
• Voyagers & New Frontiers: $1,000
• King’s Academy: $1,000

Holdingford Scholarship Endowment

• St. Cloud Technical and Community College Foundation—Scholarship for Ciara Leaders: $750

Julius and Tracy Kurpius Fund

• Central Lakes College Foundation—2026 Operating Support for the Living Legacy Gardens at Staples Campus: $1,800

Minnesota Pioneer Park Endowment Fund

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

Cuyuna Lakes Education Foundation

• Crosby-Ironton Public Schools Foundation—Classroom Grants: $10,000

Debra L Prazak Donor Advised Fund

• Brainerd Lakes Safe Ride: $5,000

Diane Wojtanowicz Donor Advised Fund

• CentraCare Health Foundation—Medical School: $300,000

Playing it Forward

• Little Falls Theatre Company—Pit Orchestra Support: $500

John and Bonnie Schlagel Endowment

• A Place for You—General Donation: $3,000
• Alexandra House, Inc.—General Donation: $3,000
• Animal Humane Society: $2,500
• Anoka Ramsey Community College Foundation—Scholarship in Memory of Evan Stein: $2,500
• Anoka Ramsey Community College Foundation—Cambridge Campus Foundation 2027 Scholardazzle: $2,000
• Cambridge Ambassador Program—General Donation: $1,500
• Cambridge Isanti Dollars for Scholars Foundation—Scholarships: $2,000
• Cambridge-Isanti School District—Early Childhood Program: $2,300
• Family Pathways—Food Shelf Program: $3,000
• Family Pathways—Domestic Abuse & Sexual Assault Program: $3,000
• Grandy Community Center, Inc.—General Donation: $2,000

Lake Region Conservation Club

• Sullivan Lake First Responder—2026 Operating Support: $550
• Hillman Area First Response Team—2026 Operating Support: $550

Artesian Homes Charitable Fund

• Camp Shamineau of the Evangelical Free Church—Operating Support: $20,000

Corey Borg-Massanari Foundation

• Turn In Poachers (TIP), Inc.—Youth Expo: $1,000
• Wasatch Adaptive Sports, Inc.—Support for the 2026-2027 Adaptive Skiing and Snowboarding Program: $1,000

Skolmate Fund for the Welfare of Animals

• Paws and Claws Rescue & Resort—2026 Operating Support: $3,250
• Morrison County Animal Humane Society—2026 Operating Support: $3,250

Rum River Community Foundation

• Arrows Family Services–Youth First: $1,000
• City of Foreston–Foreston Fun Days: $1,000
• City of Milaca–2026 Rhythm on the Rum Parade: $1,000
• Milaca Fine Arts Council–Music in the Park 2026: $1,000
• Milaca Recfest & Activities–Rec Fest 2026: $1,000
• Mille Lacs Co Area DAC, Inc.–Accessible Swing Project: $1,000
• Mille Lacs County Youth Livestock Foundation–Round Robin Showmanship Clinic: $600
• Pearl Battered Women’s Resource Center–Safe Dates Expansion: $1,000
• Christian Reformed Church of Pease–4th of July Fireworks: $1,000
• Milaca Youth Travel Baseball Association–Field of Opportunity Youth Baseball Initiative: $1,000

Greater Pine Area Endowment

• Pine City Smoke Eaters–Gas Monitors: $4,575
• Pine City Area History Association–Exterior Painting and Window Restoration: $4,000
• Pine County Health and Human Services–Operation Community Connect: $2,500
• Supporting Our Students–Dragon Care Cart: $1,750

Staples-Motley Area Community Foundation

• LEAP, Inc.–Staples Motley Grad Blast: $800
• SPARKS Mentoring of Staples Motley–Informational Video: $500
• Staples-Motley School District–Day of Caring: $2,000
• Faith Lutheran Church–Back to School Event 2026: $2,000
• LEAP, Inc.–Morrison County Agriculture Association Motley Fair: $1,500
• LEAP, Inc.–Music In The Park: $2,000
• Old Wadena Society–Old Wadena Rendezvous and Chautauqua: $1,500
• LEAP, Inc.–Railroad Days: $3,000
• Motley Community Events Organization–June Fest: $1,500
• Staples Area Men’s Chorus–Little Red Caboose Variety Show: $1,675
• Lamplighter Community Theatre, Inc.–Lamp Camp 2026: $1,000
• Staples-Motley School District–Living the Cardinal Way: From Expectations to Everyday Impact: $1,000

Hackensack Lakes Area Community Foundation

• SNIP-Spay & Neuter Impact Program: $500
• Paws and Claws Rescue & Resort–Memory Cafe: $500
• Hackensack Game Changers–Spring Bike Fling: $400
• Hackensack Game Changers–Course and Trail Maintenance: $500
• Hackensack Area Food Shelf–371 Garden: $500
• Pine Mountaineer Senior Center–Community Support: $500
• City of Backus–Phase One Improvements to Rocky Dock Park: $500
• Hackensack Hub–Facility Updating and Maintenance: $500
• Northwoods Arts Council–Lakeside Concerts 2026: $500
• Hackensack Game Changers–Community Garden: $500
• City of Hackensack–Hackensack Lakeside Park Renovation: $500
• Deep Portage Foundation–Digital Field Microscopes: $550

Mary Jean Tillman Healthcare Scholarship

• Little Falls Community School District–Scholarships: $5,000

Irene Myres Memorial Scholarship Fund

• Pequot Lakes School District–Scholarships: $1,200

Staples Knights of Columbus Scholarship

• Staples & Motley Dollars For Scholars: $2,900

Prairie Lights: Pioneering Yesterday and Today

• Region Five Development Commission–Tech Expenditures: $15,000

Little Falls Education Foundation

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

• Building Foundations: Materials for Inclusive Early Learning: $2,433
• The Power of Student Voice: $620
• AVID Room Improvement: $660
• Classroom Audio Technology Enhancement: $2,284
• K-2 Book Bins Style Shelving: $2,000
• School Manufacturing: $2,500
• Piano Keyboard Lab Updates: $2,500
• Flexible Seating: $2,500
• Building Strong Bodies and Minds—A Dynamic Movement Floor for Early Learners: $2,500
• High School Sensory Room: $2,500
• Computer Lab Graphing Tablets: $2,500
• TI-84 Plus Graphing Calculators: $2,500

Lake Region Christian School Education Foundation

• Lake Region Christian School–Scholarships and Classroom Grants: $39,204

Braham Area Education Foundation

The following grants were awarded to Braham Area Schools:

• High School Art/Industrial Tech 3D Printer: $2,000
• Bomber Bands: $2,266
• Jazz Band Students to Play at Spring Gala: $250
• Classroom Set of Microscopes: $9,000
• Student Council Students to Work at Spring Gala: $250

Memorial Hospital Foundation (Serving Greater Isanti County)

• Pine Technical & Community College Foundation–Bridging the Dream Scholarship Fund: $5,000
• Isanti County Commission on Aging–General Operating Support for the Cambridge Senior Activity Center: $10,000
• Common Ground United Methodist Church–Replace AEDs: $2,000
• Braham Evangelical Lutheran Church–Replace AEDs: $2,000
• Isanti County Historical Society–2025 Membership and Facilities Usage: $1,000
• Isanti County Historical Society–2026 Membership, Facilities Usage, and Memorial Hospital Foundation Display: $1,500

Royalton Education Foundation

The following grants were awarded to the Royalton School District:

• Every Learner is Ready: Strengthening Early Skills Through Hands-On Learning: $350
• Innovative Learning Through Play: Building Future-Ready Preschool Learners: $350
• Phonics Magnetic Letter Tile Kits: $810
• Fluency—Math Facts & Reading: $500
• Social and Emotional Supports: $700
• Alternative Seating: $2,400
• Curriculum Improvement for Physical Education: $2,000
• Standing Team Table Grant: $757
• Science Museum Assembly: $1,450

Bluejacket Education Foundation

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

• Above & Beyond: Commercial Drone Education: $2,000
• Expanding Sensory and Fine Motor Experiences in Early Learning: $1,500
• Flow of Genetic Information Lab: $798
• Bug Exploration Program: $620
• Amplifying Student Voices Through Community-Connected Journalism and Podcasting: $530
• Kindness Krew: $775
• Reading Plus Book Choice: $850
• Weight Room Equipment: $1,500
• Instruments for All: $1,924

Wadena City Library Endowment

• Friends of the Wadena City Library—Building Project: $1,500

One Heartland Fund

• Bravetrails—Scholarships: $10,000
• Camp Fire Minnesota—Scholarships: $10,000
• Camp Highlight—Scholarships: $10,000
• Camp Lightbulb—Scholarships: $5,000
• Allies in Hope—Scholarships for Out-of-State Campers: $10,000
• YMCA Camp Miller—Programming in Collaboration With TransNorthland: $5,000
• Outright Vermont—Scholarships: $10,000

Debra L. Prazak Donor Advised Fund

• Advocates for Reproductive Education—Sexual Health Education for Those With Developmental Disabilities: $2,000
• Brainerd Lakes Safe Ride—Safe Rides: $2,000
• Second Harvest Heartland—Funds to Supplement Those in Need Resulting From the Shutdown of Ruby’s Pantry: $2,000
• Northern Lakes Rescue—Spay and Neuter Expenses: $2,000
• Relationship Safety Alliance—SANE Program: $10,000

Lakes Area Medical Development Fund

• Brainerd Lakes Safe Ride—Programming and Operations Support: $3,100
• Relationship Safety Alliance—Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner Program: $9,000

Brainerd Public Schools Foundation Fund

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

Lakes Area Manufacturers Fund

• Central Lakes College—Sponsorship for CLC Welding Department: $500

Edeburn Family Fund

• St. Cloud Area Family YMCA—Annual Campaign: $500

Playing it Forward

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

• Spotlight Bemidji: $7,860
• Spotlight All-State: $650
• Spotlight Shell Lake: $450

Land and Waters Preservation Trust

• Whitefish Area Property Owners Association—2026 Operating Support: $14,900

Patrick and Jane Mitchell Family Fund

• Donors Choose: $3,815

Shawn Grittner Memorial Fund

• St Cloud Technical and Community College Foundation—Scholarship: $1,100
• Little Falls Community School District—Scholarship: $500

Bob Wright Memorial IFPA Scholarship Fd

• Hagerstown Community College—Scholarship: $3,450

Maddens Pine Beach Scholarship Fund

• Pillager School District—Scholarship: $3,500

Artesian Homes Charitable Fund

• Quincy House—Golf Event: $5,000
• Sexual Assault Services, Inc.—Walk a Mile Sponsorship: $1,500

Betty and Larry Nelson Family Fund

• Northwoods Humane Society—General Operations: $200
• Minnesota Public Radio—General Operations: $200
• School Sisters of Notre Dame—General Operations—Province of Africa: $200
• Friends of Mwangaza, Inc.—General Operations: $200
• Kiva Microfunds—General Operations: $200

Corey Borg-Massanari Foundation

• Veteran Valor Farm—General Operations: $500
• American Canoe Association—Support for Paddler Safety and Rescue Education: $1,000
• Brainerd Family YMCA—Jersey Sponsorship: $500

Fregin Foundation

• Little Falls Community School District—Scholarship: $1,200

Three Rivers Community Foundation

• Elk River School District—2026 Scholarships: $24,000
• Spectrum High School—2026 Scholarships: $2,000

Darling Church Memorial Fund

• Darling Church Memorial, Inc.—Account Closure: $5,860

LeBlanc Legacy Scholarship Fund

• Central Lakes College Foundation—Scholarships for Non-traditional Students Attending Central Lakes College in Brainerd: $500
• St. Cloud State University Foundation—Scholarship for Non-traditional Students Attending St. Cloud State University in St. Cloud: $1,000

Powell Family Memorial Scholarship Fund

• Elk River School District—2026 Scholarships: $1,500

Gull Chain Preservation Endowment Fund

• Brainerd Lakes Area Community Foundation—Annual Distribution: $21,000

Sacred Heart Area School Endowment Fund

• Sacred Heart Area School—General Operations: $3,000
• Sacred Heart Area School—General Operations: $3,000

Cuyuna Lakes Education Foundation

• Crosby-Ironton Public Schools Foundation—Classroom Grants: $15,000

Braham Area Education Foundation

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

• Summer Reading Program: $2,000
• Title 1 Reading Support: $1,000

Memorial Hospital Foundation

• Isanti County Public Health—Isanti County Community Health Pantry: $5,000

Sebeka School Foundation Fund

The following grants were awarded to the Sebeka School District:

• Solar Car Education Program: $700
• Classroom Microscopes: $1,000
• Acoustic Guitar Purchase: $2,200
• Sensory Room: $1,100

Debra L Prazak Donor Advised Fund

• Lakes Area Music Festival—Music Education Program for Youth: $10,000

Onamia Early Childhood Endowment Fund

• Mille Lacs Health System—Support StoryTime Fun at the Onamia Depot Library: $1,200

Lakes Area Manufacturers Fund

• University of Minnesota Duluth—Scholarships: $1,000
• University of Minnesota Duluth—Scholarships: $1,000
• Central Lakes College—Scholarships: $1,000

The Bruske-Johnson Scholarship Fund

• Isle School District—2026 Bruske-Johnson Scholarship: $4,400

Pillager Education Foundation

The following grants were awarded to the Pillager School District:

• Storybook Theater Program: $2,250
• Manipulatives and Storage Systems for First Grade: $500
• Sculpture Art Materials: $470
• Playground Communication Board for Children With Special Needs: $825
• Art Technology: $600

Paula and Chad Becker Fund

• Christ the King Catholic Church—General Operations: $11,000′
• Never Surrender Inc.—ALS Research Through the Blizzard Tour and Bike Tour: $4,000
• Wolves Youth Wrestling Club—Mats, Banners and General Operations: $5,000

Thrive Fund

•  Milestones (Child Care Choices, Inc.)—General Operations: $7,000

Alternative Sources of Energy Fund

• Milaca Scholarship Foundation—2026 Scholarships: $4,200
• Milaca School District—Support the Milaca High School Science Department: $1,400

Patrick and Jane Mitchell Family Fund

• Rocori Area Dollars for Scholars—General Support: $1,000
• Abbott House Foundation—Operating Support: $2,000
• Africa Jam—Operating Support: $2,000
• Andra Heart Foundation—Operating Support: $3,000
• Anna Marie’s Alliance—Operating Support: $2,000
• FOCUS—Support the Work of Missionary John Baldus: $2,400
• Great River Educational Arts Theatre/GREAT Theatre—Great Theatre Program: $3,000
• Quiet Oaks Hospice House—Support the Veterans Fund: $2,500
• Rocori Area Food Shelf, Inc.—Operating Support: $1,000
• Saint Benedict’s Monastery—Scholarships: $10,000
• Poor Clare Sisters of St. Clare’s Monastery—Operating Support: $2,500
• St. Cloud State University Foundation—Baseball Program: $3,000
• Stearns County Historical Society, Inc.—Operating Support: $2,000
• Terebinth Refuge—Operating Support: $5,000
• Yes Network—Operating Support: $3,000
• United Way of Central Minnesota—Operating Support: $3,000

Colette and Paul Cameron Donor-Advised Fund

• Great River Arts—Fundraising Efforts to Pay Off Building Mortgage: $20,174

Beverly M. Pantzke Scholarship Fund

• Little Falls Community School District—Annual Scholarships: $2,400

Zimmerman Memorial Scholarship Fund

• Royalton School District—Annual Scholarships: $1,700

Betty Ford Menzel Scholarship Fund

• Crosby-Ironton School District—Annual Scholarships: $3,800

H. Eugene Menzel Scholarship Fund

• Aitkin Dollars for Scholars—Annual Scholarships: $4,000

Artesian Homes Charitable Fund

• Lighthouse Beginnings—Operating Support: $5,000
• Withall—Operating Support: $5,000
• Grove Christian Academy—Operating Support: $50,000
• Pillager School District—Support the Pillager Huskies Fishing Team: $1,000

Corey Borg-Massanari Foundation

• Taos Avalanche Rescue Dogs—In Memory of Izzy: $1,000