Downtown Wadena
WADENA: Downtown Wadena will experience disruptions during a large summertime road construction project. (Photo courtesy of Randy Taggart.)

Foundation Awards $343,000 in 1st Quarter Grants

 | 

The Initiative Foundation and its Partner Funds delivered 74 grants during the first quarter of 2025 for a total of $343,000.

The Initiative Foundation awarded 10 grants totaling $110,000. The grants supported a project in Wadena to help businesses during a major summertime road construction project, strategic planning for the Sherburne County Fair Board and succession planning for Community Action Respecting Elders (CARE) in Foley. See the full list of grantees.

Initiative Foundation Partner Funds awarded 64 grants totaling more than $233,000. These grants supported automated external defibrillators (AEDs) in the Braham area, a care closet at Royalton schools, and meals for seniors in the Brainerd Lakes area. See the full list of grantees.

“In the first quarter of 2025, the Initiative Foundation and its Partner Funds awarded several grants to help organizations plan for the future,” said Brian Voerding, president of the Initiative Foundation. “These grants support critical behind-the-scenes work that helps these local organizations thrive.”

View the summary below for first quarter 2025 grants highlights.

Initiative Foundation Awards

The following organizations were among those receiving Initiative Foundation grants during the months of January, February and March of 2025:

  • Wadena Development Authority—Wadena’s “We Are Open during Highway Construction” Project: $10,000 to support efforts to promote businesses during the summer 2025 construction project.
  • Center for Rural Policy & Development: $5,000 for organizational support.
  • Sherburne County Fair Board: $5,000 to support the strategic planning.

See the full list of grantees.

Partner Fund Awards

The Initiative Foundation manages a variety of endowed Partner Funds created by families, businesses, nonprofits and volunteer-led groups. The following grants were among those made by our Partner Funds during January, February and March of 2025:

  • Memorial Hospital Foundation: $3,000 to Tusen Tack to purchase automated external defibrillators (AEDs).
  • Lakes Area Medical Development Fund: $5,000 to Lutheran Social Services to provide meals for high-risk senior citizens.
  • Onamia Early Childhood Endowment Fund: $1,100 to the Onamia Depot Library for story time activities.

See the full list of grantees.

To support efforts like these, or to establish a Partner Fund with the Initiative Foundation, visit ifound.org/ways-to-give/start-a-fund/.

 | 
Back to All News