Longville Area Food Shelf
The Longville Area Food Shelf distributes baby care items through a partnership with the Northland Area Family Service Center (NAFSC) based in Remer. The NAFSC received a Community Responsive Fund grant administered by the Initiative Foundation through a partnership with the Otto Bremer Trust.

Foundation Awards $1.2 Million in Third Quarter Grants

The Foundation awarded $750,000 in grants to 19 Central Minnesota nonprofits through a partnership with the Otto Bremer Trust and its Community Responsive Fund. The Initiative Foundation served as the administrative hub for this initiative that saw a total of $3 million awarded through 91 grants across Greater Minnesota.

Initiative Foundation Partner Funds during the third quarter awarded 95 grants totaling more than $248,000. These grants supported mental health support for Elk River-area youth facing homelessness, food access for low-income seniors in Morrison County, a stand-up paddleboard for Cambridge-Isanti students, and more. See the full list of grantees.

The Initiative Foundation also awarded 16 grants totaling nearly $201,500. The grants supported succession planning at Camphill Village in Todd County, wild rice production support at Leech Lake Tribal College, and a housing market analysis in Mora. See the full list of grantees.

“During the third quarter of 2024, the Initiative Foundation was able to deliver big results for Central Minnesota nonprofits,” said Brian Voerding, Initiative Foundation president. “We are grateful to have partners across the region doing good work to celebrate and support the economy, community and generosity of this region that we love to call home.”

View the summary below for highlights of third quarter 2024 Initiative Foundation and Partner Fund grants. See a more comprehensive listing.

Initiative Foundation Awards

The following organizations were among those receiving Initiative Foundation grants during the months of July, August and September of 2024:

  • Community Grassroots Solutions—Capacity Building Support: $7,500 for digital engagement tools to increase fund development and improve community outreach.
  • Hilltop Regional Kitchen—Organizational Support: $10,000 to support distribution of quality food to populations in need.
  • Cass County Economic Development Corporation—Capacity-building to Support Affordable Housing Initiatives: $7,500 to build staff capacity and to develop strategies to expand workforce housing.


See the full list of grantees.

Partner Fund Awards

The Initiative Foundation owns and manages a variety of Partner Funds created by families, businesses, nonprofits and volunteer-led groups. The following grants were among those made by our Partner Funds during the months of July, August and September of 2024:

  • Three Rivers Community Foundation: $5,000 to Community Aid of Elk River for a weekend backpack program for students in need.
  • Morrison County Area Foundation: $2,000 to Friends of Linden Hill for an onsite sprinkler system.
  • Staples-Motley Area Community Foundation: $5,000 to the Staples Pickleball Association.


See the full list of grantees.

To support efforts like these, or to create your own Partner Fund, visit ifound.org/ways-to-give/start-a-fund.