Joy & Connection Grants

Avon Hills Folks School, Avon: Avon Hills Folks School will host a community celebration that brings together Latino families, volunteers and community supporters for a day focused on healing, appreciation and connection. The event will strengthen cross-cultural relationships while celebrating the contributions of Latino residents in Central Minnesota ($4,000).

City of Monticello: Monticello will expand MontiArts Art in the Park, offering free art activities that encourage residents and visitors to create, connect and spend time together. The project helps build community through accessible experiences for all ages ($5,000).

Compassion Connection, Becker: Compassion Connection will host regular gatherings for foster and kinship families, creating opportunities to build relationships, share experiences and develop lasting support networks. ($7,500)

Fahan Organization, St. Cloud: Fahan Organization will offer culturally rooted wellness circles for Somali women that incorporate tea, storytelling, poetry and dance ($4,000).

Great River Area Faith in Action, Becker: Great River Area Faith in Action will expand support groups and social opportunities for seniors, caregivers and people with disabilities ($5,000).

First United Methodist Church of the St. Cloud Region: First United Methodist Church will offer arts- and nature-based experiences that bring people together through creativity, cultural appreciation and outdoor exploration ($7,000).

Heijeu, St. Cloud: Heijeu will launch a mobile art program that brings creative experiences to seniors and residents in Royalton and Bowlus. The project encourages self-expression in rural areas ($5,000).

Kanabec County Community Health, Mora: Kanabec County Community Health will host intergenerational events that bring together children, families, adults and older residents through shared activities and experiences ($6,000).

Lighthouse Beginnings, Baxter: Lighthouse Beginnings will host the Joy & Connections Ball, a community celebration that welcomes individuals experiencing recovery, reentry or homelessness ($7,500).

Little Falls Bicycles: Little Falls Bicycles will launch Joy Riders, a cycling club that encourages older adults to stay active while connecting with others through regular group rides. The program promotes physical well-being and meaningful social interaction ($2,000).

Longville Lakes Arts Center: Longville Lakes Arts Center will strengthen a community gathering space where residents and visitors can connect through arts programming and conversation. The project encourages creativity while fostering lasting community relationships ($2,200).

Main Street Family Services, Elk River: Main Street Family Services will support Circle of Care, a program offering support groups and family-centered events for caregivers of children with special needs ($7,500).

Mille Lacs County Youth Livestock Foundation, Milaca: Mille Lacs County Youth Livestock Foundation will host a youth poultry and rabbit show that brings together young people, families and mentors through hands-on learning and friendly competition ($1,800).

Ogilvie School District: Ogilvie School District will expand the student-led Ogilvie Own It! 5K Fun Run, bringing together students, families and community members through a healthy, inclusive event ($700).

Pine Center for the Arts, Pine City: Pine Center for the Arts will offer open studio art sessions for older adults, providing opportunities to explore creativity while building friendships and reducing social isolation ($5,000).

Recovery Community Network, St. Cloud: Recovery Community Network will enhance an existing storytelling program, creating additional opportunities for celebration and peer support within the recovery community ($7,500).

Relationship Safety Alliance, Brainerd: Relationship Safety Alliance will host Family Fun Day, a free community celebration designed to bring families together through activities, entertainment and shared experiences ($5,000).

Soar Regional Arts, St. Michael: Soar Regional Arts will host a one-day community choir that welcomes singers of all experience levels to come together through music ($2,500).

Benton Economic Development Partnership, Foley: The grant supports Taste of Benton County, a celebration of local food, entertainment and talent that builds community pride and strengthens social and civic connections.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Minnesota, St. Cloud: The grant supports Mentoring for Belonging, fostering one-to-one mentoring relationships and inclusive activities to build youth confidence, connection, healing and a sense of community belonging.

Cass Lake-Bena Public Schools: Funding supports Saturday Night Live, a bi-monthly program featuring meals, activities and safe spaces at Cass Lake-Bena High School to encourage social connection, belonging and healing for children and families.

Chisago Age Well Coalition, Lindstrom: The grant expands outreach to older adults and caregivers through events, learning sessions and resource guides, promoting social connection, belonging and engagement for seniors and their families.

City of Delano: Funding supports senior-focused music, creative, mindfulness and planning activities at the Senior Center to boost social connections, well-being and belonging in Delano and the surrounding areas.

City of Monticello: The grant supports Monticello Heritage Days 2026, a community festival featuring cultural celebrations and intergenerational activities that encourage social connection and shared purpose.

East Central Minnesota Pride, Pine City: The grant supports Silver Social 2026, a series of gatherings for LGBTQ+ seniors across five counties, aimed at reducing isolation while promoting joy, belonging and generational connections.

Fahan Organization, St. Cloud: The grant supports a one-day wellness retreat for Somali girls with a focus on outdoor activities, cultural expression, mental health and sisterhood in a safe and supportive setting.

Great River Arts, Little Falls: The grant supports a six-month program with monthly art workshops and a public exhibit, fostering belonging, creativity and social connection while showcasing local talent and community expression.

Hackensack Game Changers: Funding supports a celebratory event marking Highway 371 reconstruction, featuring live music, youth activities, tree planting and a ribbon cutting that strengthens local pride, connection and community spirit.

Kanabec County Community Health, Mora: The grant supports Mora Rocks the Park, a free event series with music and activities that encourage belonging and social connection for residents across Kanabec County.

Lakes Area Presbyterian Church, Baxter: The grant supports Connection & Compassion Are for Everyone, bi-monthly gatherings with meals and acts of kindness that foster belonging, connection and community purpose across Crow Wing and Morrison counties.

Mille Lacs County Agricultural Society, Princeton: The grant supports the creation of a sensory-free tranquility garden at the fairgrounds with accessible paths, seating and native plants to be enjoyed by visitors of all abilities.

Morrison County Jail, Little Falls: The grant funds Write On! Workshops, a creative writing program that builds communication skills, fosters healing and strengthens community belonging among incarcerated individuals.

Open Doors for Youth, Elk River: The grant supports First Fridays, a monthly youth program with meals, games and volunteer projects that create safe and supportive spaces for belonging, purpose and community connection.

Paws and Claws Rescue & Resort, Hackensack: The grant supports school-based animal safety education, teaching responsible care while elevating compassion and belonging. Students write adoption profiles that help pets find homes and strengthen community awareness.

Pine Center for the Arts, Pine City: The grant supports free community craft events for children and seniors, aiming to build social connections and enhance well-being through intergenerational creativity.

Presbyterian Clearwater Forest, Deerwood: Funding supports Branching Out Together, offering parent-child playgroups and WILDerness Women outdoor activities that build relationships, promote well-being and nurture belonging across generations.

Smiles for Jake, Brainerd: The grant launches peer-to-peer SMILE Clubs, a student-led initiative in local schools that builds positive school culture and resilience through club meetings, mentorship and speakers to encourage belonging and support emotional well-being.

Staples Historical Society: The grant supports the Polar Xpress Children’s Holiday Festival, a free two-day celebration featuring trains, music and crafts. The event draws 1,500 attendees and is a source of joy and community pride in Staples.

The Center, Brainerd: The grant supports Moments That Matter, offering storytelling, music and volunteer activities that promote connection, healing and belonging for older adults, veterans and rural residents.

Tusen Tack, Braham: The grant supports Music for Many at the Braham Event Center, bringing all ages together through live music, food and leadership opportunities to foster belonging and connection.

Wadena County DAC, Sebeka: The grant supports monthly themed activities for adults with developmental disabilities, promoting inclusion, joy and belonging through cultural learning, cooking and shared meals that encourage participation in community life.

Whitney Senior Center, St. Cloud: The grant supports art therapy and storytelling workshops, featuring public showcases and newsletters that build connections and encourage creativity and emotional well-being among seniors.

Youth Chorale of Central Minnesota, St. Cloud: The grant supports Voices Together Memory Choir, which unites people with memory loss, their care partners and youth volunteers through rehearsals and performances that create a sense of belonging and connection.

Community Action Respecting Elders (CARE), Foley: $3,300 to support four daylong art classes for seniors to expand arts education while building camaraderie with others. (Benton County)

Cass Lake-Bena Public Schools, Cass Lake: $5,000 to support twice-a-month “Saturday Night Live” programming for families. Activities include pickleball, board games, Ojibwe crafts, including beading and regalia-making, and other opportunities to encourage intergenerational engagement. (Cass County)

CentraCare, Long Prairie: $5,000 for transportation and programming activities to encourage intergenerational and intercultural engagement. (Todd County)

Central Minnesota Habitat for Humanity, St. Cloud: $5,000 to engage BIPOC and low-income students in the development of construction skills by working in homes in the Greater St. Cloud area. (Stearns County)

City of Delano: $5,000 to harness the wisdom of the community’s active older adults to teach practical skills classes like changing a tire, using a drill, growing vegetables, and basic plumbing. (Wright County)

Delano Area Council for Arts and Culture: $2,000 to create a community mural mosaic project that depicts the city’s history. The mural will be unveiled during Delano’s 2026 sesquicentennial celebration. (Wright County)

East Central Minnesota Pride, Pine City: $5,000 to plan and support a February 2025 “silver social” event to honor elders and pioneers in the LBGT+ communities throughout East Central Minnesota. (Pine County)

Great River Arts, Little Falls: $1,900 to support Music Makers for youth and an adult art club to provide activities for age groups known to struggle with loneliness and social isolation. (Morrison County)

Helping Hands Outreach, Holdingford: $5,000 to establish a “Walk with Ease” class to encourage older adults to use the Wobegon Trail as an asset for physical activity and social bonding. (Stearns County)

HIKE. LEARN. BE. INC., St. Stephen: $3,500 for “Nature Buddies: Bridging Generations Through Nature Connections” to bring young and old together in outdoor spaces to foster connections and create opportunities for shared experiences. (Stearns County)

Horizon Health, Inc., Pierz: $7,500 to launch the National Council on Aging’s Program to Encourage Active, Rewarding Lives (PEARLS) to provide resources and companions to help seniors combat depression and loneliness. (Morrison County)

Isanti County Commission on Aging, Cambridge: $5,000 to support programs and activities for seniors, including exercise, healthy snacks, transportation and instruction. (Isanti County)

Kanabec County Community Health, Mora: $5,000 for public programming to connect senior citizens and youth with community resources regarding mental health, inclusive activities, paths for building social networks, and additional activities to reduce isolation. (Kanabec County)

Kinship Youth Mentoring of Princeton, Princeton: $7,500 to bring individuals of all ages together to stage a free community theatrical production. Special effort will be made to incorporate individuals with disabilities. (Sherburne County)

Mille Lacs Lake Senior Activities, Onamia: $2,000 to provide a monthly meal, programming and social activities for senior citizens from Onamia, Malmo, Garrison, Isle, Milaca, Foreston and Deerwood. (Mille Lacs County)

OneCommunity Alliance, St. Cloud: $2,000 to support safe spaces, typically around meals, where community members can connect, share and support one another across cultures, generations, and any other differences. (Stearns County)

Paws + Claws Rescue & Resort, Hackensack: $4,000 to help Paws + Claws bring puppies, kittens, cats, and dogs to nursing homes and assisted living facilities once a month in a 40-mile radius of their location. (Cass County)

Pequot Lakes School District, Pequot Lakes: $2,000 to connect high school students and senior citizens to foster a range of skills and relationships that will help address loneliness. (Crow Wing County)

Pierz Public Schools, Pierz: $3,000 to support Pierz students in a partnership with “Kids Feeding Kids” in the Brainerd Lakes area to package food for the Pierz Food Shelf. (Morrison County)

Pine Center for the Arts, Pine City: $3,500 for monthly community gatherings that will include Lego® art, puzzle magic, clay art, jewelry, painting, soaps, etc. (Pine County)

Salem Lutheran Church, Deerwood: $4,000 for a monthly community meal to support senior fellowship opportunities. (Crow Wing)

Soup For The Soul, Inc., Mora: $5,000 for “Dishing Up Meals With a Side of Kindness” to support free and shared meals for adults and teens, low-income and housing-insecure individuals. (Kanabec County)

Project Optimist, St. Michael: $5,000 to support guided conversations and food to build social bonds and community connections among St. Cloud-area college students. (Wright County)

Wright County Historical Society, Buffalo: $3,800 to provide free monthly Creative Coffee Chats with themed topics and brief, informal presentations; creative activities such as butter-making; and the opportunity to share personal histories and stories. (Wright County)

Wyoming Area Creative Arts Community, Wyoming: $5,000 to provide transportation from senior living facilities to a local park to offer enjoy free creative arts programming. (Chisago County)