
Foundation Awards Nearly $400,000 In Fourth Quarter
The Initiative Foundation and its Partner Funds delivered 125 grants during the fourth quarter of 2024 totaling $397,000.
Initiative Foundation Partner Funds during the fourth quarter awarded 96 grants totaling more than $225,000. These grants supported a robotics team in Delano, the Sauk Centre archery program, musical instruments for students in Little Falls, and more. See the full list of grantees.
The Initiative Foundation awarded 28 grants totaling $171,900. The grants supported Project Optimist dialogues for St. Cloud college students; capacity, infrastructure and governance development for several regional nonprofits; and grants to honor the departure of Initiative Foundation board of trustee members as a thank-you for their volunteer service to the region. See the full list of grantees.
“During the fourth quarter of 2024, the Initiative Foundation supported regional nonprofits as they work on fundraising, building their capacity to serve, and strategic planning,” said Brian Voerding, Initiative Foundation president. “This is important work for these organizations to lay a firm foundation and plan for the future. We are grateful to have the opportunity to support this work.”
View the summary below for highlights of fourth-quarter 2024 Initiative Foundation and Partner Fund grants.
Initiative Foundation Awards
The following organizations were among those receiving Initiative Foundation grants during the months of October, November and December 2024:
- Lakes Center for Youth and Families—Families First Coaching Fund: $5,000 to pilot individualized parent coaching
- Deep Portage Foundation—Equity Plan Development: $1,550 for equity plan development
- Jugaad Leadership Program—Revisiting Mission and Business Plan: $5,000 to celebrate 10 years with the development of an updated business and strategic plan, including expanded revenue and business models and priorities for future leadership programs
See the full list of grantees.
Partner Fund Awards
The Initiative Foundation manages a variety of permanently endowed 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 October, November and December 2024:
- Mille Lacs Area Community Foundation: $2,400 to Family Pathways to improve access to nutrient-rich food shelf offerings
- Black Oak Getty Community Foundation: $4,700 to the United Way for Imagination Library in the Sauk Centre area
- Sauk Rapids-Rice Education Foundation: $1,000 for hands-on science tools for kindergarten students
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.