Foundation Awards $1.3 Million in Fourth-Quarter Grants

March 4, 2026 |

During the fourth quarter of 2025, the Initiative Foundation awarded more than $1.3 million through 264 grants supporting communities across Central Minnesota.

These grants were made through multiple philanthropic pathways stewarded by the Foundation, including:

$257,000 in Initiative Foundation-directed grantmaking
Nearly $612,000 through donor-established Partner Funds
$476,000 distributed through regional philanthropic partnerships

Together, these investments supported food access, housing studies, mental health initiatives, disaster preparedness and community connection across the region.

Foundation-Led Grantmaking

In the fourth quarter, the Initiative Foundation awarded grants aligned with its strategic priorities to strengthen communities and essential services.

$124,000 in capacity-building and community-investment grants to 20 organizations
$95,000 to 20 organizations to stabilize essential services
$38,000 to five Thriving Communities program participants

“From food access and education to mental health and disaster preparedness, these grants support the people and organizations doing vital work every day in our communities,” said Amy Trombley, Initiative Foundation vice president for community.

Sample grants this quarter included:

Wadena Housing Redevelopment Authority: $7,500 to support a housing study.
Wright County: $7,500 for a countywide housing study.
City of Sartell: $5,000 to support a feasibility study for Mill District access.

See the full list of grantees.

Grants From Donor-Established Partner Funds

The Initiative Foundation manages a variety of endowed Partner Funds created by families, businesses, nonprofits and community groups. These funds operate under the Foundation’s 501(c)(3) and are governed by binding agreements that honor donor intent. Grants from these funds are recommended by donors and advisors and are stewarded by the Initiative Foundation.

During the fourth quarter, Partner Funds awarded 165 grants totaling nearly $612,000 in communities across the region.

Sample grants included:

Josh Richardson Family Fund: $11,600 to the Elk River School District for a high school Habitat for Humanity construction project.
Greater Pine Area Endowment: $5,000 to St. Mary’s Early Learning Academy for preschool room flooring.
Delano Area Community Foundation: $1,000 to support a program providing books to families with newborns.

See the full list of grantees.

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

Expanding Regional Impact Through Partnerships

In addition to its own and donor-directed grantmaking, the Initiative Foundation distributed $476,000 during the fourth quarter of 2025 through partnerships with regional and national philanthropic organizations.

As a partner organization, the Foundation serves as a regional intermediary, ensuring compliance and efficiently moving resources into Central Minnesota communities through its local relationships and grantmaking expertise.

Partnership-supported grants this quarter included:

$310,000 in food shelf support, made possible through partnerships with Sourcewell and a philanthropic partner.
$104,000 through 20 Good Neighbor grants, supported by the McKnight Foundation.
$35,000 to nine organizations working to reduce social isolation and promote mental health in rural communities, supported by Sourcewell and a philanthropic partner.
$27,000 to 12 organizations supporting disaster preparedness efforts, with support from The Funders Network.

Through these partnerships, the Initiative Foundation helps direct outside philanthropic resources deeper into local communities.