Rapid-Response Funding Supports 20 Local Nonprofits

The Initiative Foundation has issued a round of rapid-response emerging needs grants to 20 Central Minnesota nonprofits working to stabilize essential services—from food access and housing support to youth programming, safety services and mental health resources.

“In recent months, many local nonprofits have faced sudden funding losses, staffing disruptions, equipment failures and rising demand,” said Nicole Clements, nonprofit development program officer at the Initiative Foundation. “We made the decisions to  move quickly to help organizations bridge short-term gaps and continue serving children, families and neighbors across our 14-county Central Minnesota service area.”

The emerging needs grants support the following organizations:

• Arrows Family Services—$2,500: Continue bi-weekly support groups and parent education through the end of 2025.
• Hands of Hope Resource Center—$5,000: Maintain victim-support capacity.
• Homeless Helping Homeless—$5,000: To continue emergency housing and outreach at the Lincoln Center.
• A Place For You—$5,000: For security upgrades for the facility.
• North Star Family Advocacy Center—$5,000: To maintain forensic interview capacity in Pine County.
• Crosslake Food Shelf—$5,000: To replace a failing freezer for safe food storage and continue service to 100-plus families twice monthly.
• Princeton Pantry—$2,500: To purchase food to meet sharply increased demand and keep shelves stocked for roughly 300 families every week, prioritizing Mille Lacs and Sherburne counties.
• Lakes Center for Youth & Families—$5,000: To sustain school-based Education Engagement and Intervention in Chisago County.
• Arrive Ministries—$5,000: Support refugee and immigrant intake, assessment, referrals and wraparound services.
• Anishinabe Legal Services—$5,000: Sustain legal services and outreach to Native community members.
• Support Within Reach—$5,000: Ensure 24/7 hotline services, exam accompaniment, justice system support and direct victim services in Cass County.
• Thumbs Up—$5,000: Maintain and expand the Hope Chatbot and outreach to increase referrals to local mental health resources.
• Relationship Safety Alliance—$5,000: Support shelter operations and maintain 24/7 staffing to keep all 26 beds open and safe, covering utilities, crisis line, advocacy and emergency basic needs.
• The Wave Youth Center—$5,000: Provide professional mental health access onsite for consistent youth support.
• Ultimate Success Insight—$5,000: Support youth mentorship and career readiness programming, covering supplies and activities that strengthen engagement.
• Lighthouse Beginnings—$5,000: Support staffing and peer support at the Open Arms Day Center for individuals experiencing homelessness, mental health challenges and substance use disorders.
• Rivers of Hope—$5,000: To continue one-on-one youth advocacy and K–12 prevention presentations.
• Oasis Central Minnesota—$5,000: Maintain housing stabilization and eviction-prevention services.
• Yes Network—$5,000: Purchase a used cargo van to transport staff and equipment to 16 neighborhood sites and sustain year-round programming.
• Sprout MN—$5,000: Support the Veteran Feeding Assistance Program and Cooking for Our Neighbors, providing meals and direct food assistance to veterans and families while supporting local growers.