Grants Awarded
The Initiative Foundation makes grants 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.
We seek to make grants across the 14 counties and two Native nations of Central Minnesota.
1st Quarter 2025 Foundation Grants
Sherburne County Fair Board—Strategic Planning: $5,000 to support the strategic planning efforts of the Sherburne County Fair Board.
Region Nine Development Commission: $37,500 through the McKnight Clean Energy Rural Collaborative project.
Center for Rural Policy & Development: $5,000 for organizational support.
Community Action Respecting Elders—Succession Plan: $15,000 to support CARE’s succession planning efforts.
Greater St. Cloud Development Corporation: $25,000 for annual organizational support.
Wadena Development Authority: $10,000 to support efforts to promote businesses during a summer 2025 construction project.
City of Milaca: $10,000 to support the Milaca Junction addition.
The United Way of Bemidji Area: $1,000 on behalf of Denae Alamano in recognition of service as an Initiators Fellow mentor.
Southwest Initiative Foundation: $1,000 on behalf of Sarah Johnson in recognition of service as an Initiators Fellow mentor.


1st Quarter 2025 Partner Fund Grants
Three Rivers Community Foundation
- Ivan Sand High School: $2,000
- Rogers High School: $8,000
- Zimmerman High School: $5,000
- Spectrum High School: $2,000
- Elk River High School: $8,000
Black Oak Getty Community Foundation
- Sauk Centre Archery Boosters: $3,600
- Sauk Centre School District—Community Education Technology Enhancement: $2,000
- Sauk Centre School District—Robotics: $2,000
Tollefson Scholarship
- Pine City School District: $15,000
Mary Jean Tillman Healthcare Scholarship
- Little Falls Community Schools: $5,000
Irene Myres Memorial Scholarship Fund
- Pequot Lakes High School: $1,200
Dorn Family Fund
- Delano High School: $1,100
LeBlanc Legacy Scholarship Fund
- Central Lakes College Foundation: $500
- St. Cloud State University Foundation: $1,000
Powell Family Memorial Scholarship Fund
- Elk River School District: $1,500
Gull Chain Preservation Endowment Fund
- Gull Chain of Lakes Association—2025 Disbursement: $21,300
ZES Scholarship Fund
- Zimmerman High School: $500
Sacred Heart Area School Endowment Fund
- Sacred Heart Area School: $2,700
Staples Knights of Columbus Scholarship
- Staples & Motley Dollars for Scholars: $2,900
Kurpius Dollars for Scholars Fund
- Staples & Motley Dollars for Scholars: $3,800
Minnesota Pioneer Park Endowment Fund
- Minnesota Pioneer Park—2025 General Operating Support: $1,000
Braham Area Education Foundation
- Braham Area Schools—Title 1: $600
Memorial Hospital Foundation
- Isanti County Commission on Aging—Operating Support: $10,000
- Tusen Tack—Saving Lives with AED Machines: $3,000
Patriot Foundation
- Pequot Lakes School District: $10,000
Royalton Education Foundation
- Royalton School District—Care Closet: $1,000
Lakes Area Medical Development Fund
- Lutheran Social Service—Health-sustaining Meals for High-risk Seniors in the Lakes Area: $5,000
Onamia Early Childhood Endowment Fund
- Mille Lacs Health System—Story Time Fun at Onamia Depot Library: $1,100
Lakes Area Manufacturers Fund
- South Dakota School of Mines—Scholarship for Jayde Jordahl: $1,000
- University of Advancing Technology—Scholarship for Alexa Tuchtenhagen: $1,000
- Central Lakes College, Staples—Scholarship for Mathew Melberg: $1,000
The Bruske-Johnson Scholarship Fund
- Isle School District: $4,000
Pillager Education Foundation
The following scholarships were awarded to the Pillager School District:
- Pop-up On-site Daycare: $2,500
- Book Club Books in Fourth Grade: $520
- Motor Matters: $678
- Mathematics Intervention Resource: $641
- Author Workshop: $900
- Book Club Books in Fourth Grade: $520
- Hands-On Math: $600
- Fourth-grade Book Clubs: $520
- Math Manipulatives for Independent and Small-group Learning: $1,000
- Book Club Books in Fourth Grade: $520
- Fine Motor Activities in Elementary Art: $623
Paula and Chad Becker Fund
- Christ the King Catholic Church—Church and School Operations: $10,000
- Never Surrender, Inc. —ALS Support and Research: $4,000
Crow Wing Environment Protection Fund
- Crow Wing County Lakes & Rivers Alliance—General Operating Support: $3,700
Thrive Fund
- Milestones—2025 Disbursement: $6,800
Alternative Sources of Energy Fund
- Milaca Scholarship Foundation: $4,200
- Milaca School District—Science Dept: $1,400
Land and Waters Preservation Trust
- Whitefish Area Property Owners Association—2025 Operating Support: $14,600
Beverly M. Pantzke Scholarship Fund
- Little Falls Community High School: $24,000
Mark Wood Foundation
- Lincoln Elementary Mentorship Program: $5,700
Paws and Claws Animal Shelter
- Paws and Claws Rescue & Resort—2025 Operating Support: $1,700
Zimmerman Memorial Scholarship Fund
- Royalton Schools: $1,600
Betty Ford Menzel Scholarship Fund
- Crosby-Ironton High School: $3,100
Shawn Grittner Memorial Fund
- St. Cloud Technical and Community College Foundation—Shawn Grittner Memorial Fund Scholarship: $1,100
Lake Region Conservation Club
- Hillman Area First Response Team—Operating Support: $550
- Sullivan Lake First Responder—Operating Support: $550
H. Eugene Menzel Scholarship Fund
- Aitkin High School Scholarships: $2,900
Betty and Larry Nelson Family Fund
- School Sisters of Notre Dame—Province of Africa: $200
Fregin Foundation
- Little Falls Community High School: $1,100
Skolmate Fund for the Welfare of Animals
- Morrison County Animal Humane Society—Operating Support: $3,150
- Paws and Claws Rescue & Resort—Operating Support: $3,150
Wadena Fire Recovery Fund
- Immanuel Lutheran Church—Wadena Fire Recovery Support: $3,500