Make a Difference in Central Minnesota

Support our Partner Funds

The Initiative Foundation is proud to host a variety of Partner Funds for families, businesses, nonprofit organizations and volunteer-led groups. Our Partner Fund program allows local leaders to champion local causes while we provide the 501(c)(3) public charity infrastructure necessary for donor gifts to receive the highest possible charitable tax deduction.

Agency Funds

The Initiative Foundation’s hosted Agency Funds provide grants based on funding priorities.

Big Fish Lake Association Emergency Fund

The mission of the Big Fish Lake Association Emergency Fund is to steadily improve the environmental state of the Big Fish Lake by addressing water quality, helping stock gamefish, removing rough fish and maintaining ideal water levels.

Brainerd Public Schools Foundation Early Childhood Fund

The mission of the Brainerd Public Schools Foundation Early Childhood Fund is to support early childhood initiatives in the Brainerd Public Schools District.

Bridges Manufacturing Workforce Development Fund

The mission of the Bridges Manufacturing Workforce Development Fund is to support post-secondary education scholarships for attracting students to manufacturing careers in Cass, Crow Wing, Morrison, Todd and Wadena counties.

Conservancy Fund of Big Fish Lake

The mission of the Conservancy Fund of Big Fish Lake is to steadily improve the environmental state of Big Fish Lake by addressing water quality, helping stock gamefish, removing rough fish and maintaining ideal water levels.

Darling Church Memorial Fund

The vision of the Darling Church Memorial Fund is obtain 501(c)3 status and build a memorial on the previous site of the Darling Church.

Early Childhood Partnership for Isanti County

The mission of the Early Childhood Partnership for Isanti County is to help prepare Isanti County children for kindergarten. This is achieved through partnering with parents, early childhood providers and community organizations.

Gull Chain Preservation Endowment Fund

The Gull Chain of Lakes Association (GCOLA) is an alliance of conscientious lake users devoted to the restoration and continued preservation of the highest water quality and environmental standards achievable, promotion of the responsible use of land and water resources and recreational safety on the Gull Chain of Lakes.

Land and Waters Preservation Trust

The Land & Waters Preservation Trust is a partnership of the Whitefish Area Property Owners Association and Pine River Watershed Alliance. The fund supports stewardship of area lakes and streams.

Minnesota Pioneer Park Endowment Fund

The mission of the Minnesota Pioneer Park Endowment Fund is to encourage an appreciation of the pioneer heritage of Central Minnesota through education and displays of artifacts, with an emphasis on the late 1800’s and early 1900’s.

Morrison County Food Shelf

The mission of the Morrison County Food Shelf is to provide emergency and supplemental food to people who lack sufficient resources to feed themselves. The Food Shelf also seeks to provide referral and educational information to its clients and patrons.

Onamia Early Childhood Endowment Fund

The misson of the Onamia Early Childhood Endowment Fund is support early childhood initiatives in the Mille Lacs Area. Projects include: Community Diaper Program, Onamia Little Free Libraries, Dolly Parton Imagination Library, Onamia Little Free Pantries and Reach Out and Read.

Partnership in Life Fund - Horizon Health

The mission of the Partnership in Life Fund – Horizon Health is to positively impact the quality of life of older family members and neighbors living within the hometown they supported.

Thrive Fund

The mission of the Thrive Fund is to develop family-focused, integrated service delivery systems; embed early childhood social-emotional development and mental health into existing services; raise awareness of the vital importance of social-emotional development; and
provide high-quality, relevant training on issues of early childhood mental health.

Community Funds

The Initiative Foundation’s hosted Community Funds provide grants to the local community.

Black Oak Getty Community Foundation

The mission of the Black Oak Getty Community Foundation is to improve the quality of life of all citizens in the Black Oak Getty Wind Farm communities by awarding charitable grants that promote community development, encourage responsible stewardship of our resources, and foster educational growth.

Cambridge Area Community Foundation

The mission of the Cambridge Area Community Foundation is to improve the quality of life in Isanti County, Minn. by building permanent endowments and encouraging generosity, so donors can make lasting investments in the area.

Delano Area Community Foundation

The mission of the Delano Area Community Foundation is to improve and strengthen the community by supporting projects that support education and lifelong learning, economic vitality and social, cultural and leisure.

Greater Pequot Lakes Community Foundation

The mission of the Greater Pequot Lakes Community Foundation is to foster creative and collaborative approaches to projects and initiatives that support the community vision. Support areas include economy, quality of life and workforce.

Greater Pine Area Endowment

The mission of the Greater Pine Area Endowment is to improve and strengthen the community by granting to projects that support economic or community development.

Hackensack Lakes Area Community Foundation

The mission of the Hackensack Lakes Area Community Foundation is to provide financial and human connections to support a healthier place to live, learn, work and play.

Mille Lacs Area Community Foundation

The mission of the Mille Lacs Area Community Foundation is to support the healthy growth of the communities and townships of the Mille Lacs watershed area while safeguarding and improving the area’s natural resources.

Morrison County Area Foundation

The mission of the Morrison County Area Foundation is to to improve and strengthen the community by supporting projects that improve the quality of life for Morrison County residents. Priority is given to projects that strengthen education, health and a welcoming community.

Rum River Community Foundation

The mission of the Rum River Community Foundation to improve and strengthen the local communities by supporting projects that improve parks, outdoor assets, recreation events, and activities for residents and visitors; enhance community livability by encouraging volunteerism; and strengthen community involvement of the youth through support of positive activities, mentorship opportunities and education activities.

Staples-Motley Area Community Foundation

The mission of the Staples-Motley Area Community Foundation is to support the local community through grants and other philanthropic endeavors. Grants support projects that community appearance; strengthen youth and families; and increase community involvement and leadership.

Three Rivers Community Foundation

The mission of the Three Rivers Community Foundation is to foster philanthropy and strengthen the community. Grants are awarded in the areas of social, cultural and leisure; public issues and information; education and lifelong learning and human services.

Staples Motley Area Community Foundation granted to Back to School Fair
The Staples-Motley Area Community Foundation supported a 2022 Back to School Fair.

Donor-Advised Funds

The Initiative Foundation’s hosted donor-advised funds provide grants based on the donor’s wishes.

CMBA Tools for Schools Fund

The mission of the Central Minnesota Builder’s Association Fund & Initiative is to offer increased support to schools by providing tools, supplies, grants, education and scholarships to enhance learning opportunities and to inspire more interest in the building trades as a career choice.

Corey Borg-Massanari Fund

The mission of the Corey Borg-Massanari Fund is to support outdoor safety, the purchase and training of National Ski Patrol dogs for rescue efforts and to provide support to the skiing communities he loved so much.

Gaalswyk Family Fund

The mission of the Gaalwyk Family Fund is to support Christian faith-based initiatives, self-sufficiency among families in need, and educational opportunities for rural students.

ILT Endowment Fund

The mission of the ILT Endowment Fund is to support underestimated entrepreneurs in underserved geographies within rural, urban and informal settlements around the world. The primary means to achieve this purpose are grants to early stage entrepreneurs, schools, local units of government and eligible nonprofit organizations.

Playing it Forward: The Kenneth & Evelyn Pinckney Young Musicians' Fund

The mission of the Playing it Forward: The Kenneth & Evelyn Pinckney Young Musicians’ Fund is to support instrumental programs for young musicians in Little Falls.

Pequot High School welding.
Pequot Lakes High School’s Joshua Borchardt has received funding from the Patriot Foundation for classroom and extracurricular projects.

Education Funds

The Initiative Foundation’s hosted Education Funds provide grants to area schools.

Albany Area Education Foundation

The mission of the Albany Area Education Foundation is to to enhance student learning opportunities by providing the resources needed to develop unique, next-level educational experiences in and beyond classrooms.

Becker Education Foundation

The mission of the Becker Education Foundation is to cultivate the educational experience of all area students through the connection of alumni and the support of the community, families and businesses.

Bluejacket Education Fund

The mission of the Bluejacket Education Fund is to build a sustainable funding source that supports the excellence of Cambridge-Isanti schools and students.

Braham Area Education Foundation

The mission of the Braham Area Education Foundation build a permanent source of support for Braham’s students that will provide Independent School District #314 with enhanced educational opportunities and resources, support academic excellence and encourage student achievement.

Cuyuna Lakes Education Foundation

The mission of the Cuyuna Lakes Education Foundation is to support innovative, educational programs that benefit students in the ISD 182 geographic area.

Lake Region Christian School Education Foundation

The mission of the Lake Region Christian School Education Foundation is to advance Christian education through the promotion of academic excellence by providing educational scholarships and classroom enhancements that develop and support Christian values.

Little Falls Education Foundation

The mission of the Little Falls Education Foundation is to enrich the educational experience of students through the establishment of resource partnerships with community members, alumni, families, businesses and organizations.

Patriot Foundation

The mission of the Patriot Foundation is to provide sustainable funding to enhance opportunities in the arts, academics, athletics and activities for students in the Pequot Lakes School District.

Pillager Education Foundation

The mission of the Pillager Education Foundation is to support innovative approaches and enhance student excellence in academics, arts, athletics, activities, and scholarships.

Royalton Education Foundation

The mission of the Royalton Education Foundation is to positively impact student well-being, education and activities in the geographical area served by the Royalton School District.

Sauk Rapids-Rice Education Foundation

The mission of the Sauk Rapids-Rice Education Foundation is to provide opportunities for all students to excel, by funding innovative educational programs that go far beyond the district’s operating budget

Field-of-Interest

The Initiative Foundation’s hosted field-of-interest funds provide grants based on specific priorities.

Early Childhood Fund for Morrison County

The mission of the Early Childhood Fund for Morrison County is to support early childhood efforts throughout Morrison County.

Housing Fund of the Greater Mora Area

The mission of the Housing Fund of the Greater Mora Area to provide financial support for activities that develop, strengthen or integrate housing while supporting the Housing & Redevelopment Authority of Mora’s priorities including: independent living, healthy aging, socialization and self-sufficiency.

Memorial Hospital Foundation (serving Isanti County)

The mission of the Memorial Hospital Foundation (serving Isanti County) is to assist people in Isanti County and the surrounding East Central Minnesota area with medical-related scholarships, grief support and training, homelessness, programs for children in need, senior citizen issues and more.

Relief Funds

The Initiative Foundation’s hosted Relief Funds are permanent endowments in case of a community disaster.

Cambridge Area Disaster Preparedness and Relief Fund

The mission of the Cambridge Area Disaster Preparedness and Relief Fund is to support planning efforts in the event of a natural or man-made disaster in the City of Cambridge.

Scholarship Funds

The Initiative Foundation’s hosted Scholarship Funds provide scholarship funding to students seeking higher education.

Holdingford Scholarship Endowment

The mission of the Holdingford Scholarship Endowment is to create a permanent fund that supports Holdingford graduating seniors as they pursue higher education dreams and career goals.

Silver Lining Scholarship Fund

The Silver Lining Scholarship fund is dedicated to the memory of Jeff Schilling, who passed away unexpectedly in May of 2018. Donations to the fund will provide post-secondary education scholarships to former Mary of Lourdes Catholic School students, with preference given to those pursuing a career in the trades.

Special Project Funds

The Initiative Foundation’s hosted Special Project Funds provide grants for specific projects.

National Loon Center Project Fund

The mission of the National Loon Center Project Fund to be an interactive educational destination that transforms visitors into champions for loons and freshwater everywhere.

Wadena City Library Fund - Renovation Project

The mission of the Wadena City Library Fund – Renovation Project is to move into a remodeled space.

Learn About Our Partner Funds

The Initiative Foundation and its Partner Funds are working together to ensure strong and vibrant communities throughout Central Minnesota.

 

Start a Fund With Us

The Initiative Foundation is proud to host a variety of Partner Funds for families, businesses, nonprofit organizations and volunteer-led groups. Leave your legacy. Contact us today to create a fund that supports the causes that are important to you.

IQ Magazine Stories

A Fund for Fallen Soliders

New Partner Fund supports annual tribute to recognize honor, duty, sacrifice. Read More

Guidance for Giving

Hosted funds create long-lasting giving options that benefit donors, local causes. Read More

Where Science Soars

Grants help two local teachers bringing NASA-inspired innovation into their classrooms. Read More

More in Partner Funds