The Northland Foundation awarded 22 grants through its Quarterly Grant program to nonprofit organizations and community partners in northeast Minnesota in the third quarter of 2026.
Building on $130,000 in similar grants awarded last quarter, three more targeted grants went toward American Indian Education and Indigenous youth development programs in the region. The $70,000 in special grants were made to these under-resourced programs to help them create new learning opportunities and better engage the school body, community and tribal elders.
Five other grants last quarter were awarded to childcare businesses in Chisholm, Duluth, Taconite and Virginia. The $60,000 in grants support childcare creation, expansion and retention, with funding support from the State of Minnesota. The latest data show that the seven-county region is short by about 4,300 childcare slots.
“Here’s a startling statistic: our region today has only half as many family childcare businesses than it had in 2017. This is especially devastating to rural areas where families may live an hour or more from the nearest childcare center, which might not have infant or toddler openings anyway,” stated Northland Foundation President Tony Sertich.
“Grant dollars to help boost childcare capacity in our region is one strategy among many. It isn’t the complete answer to the childcare dilemma, but every slot created or kept matters,” said Sertich, “and we appreciate the state-legislated funds that allow us to make these grants.”
All quarterly grants awarded July 1 through September 30, 2026, are listed here and on the Northland Foundation website at northlandfdn.org/grant-funding/recent-grants/.
BASIC NEEDS :Grants in support of services and programming that address human needs essential to overall wellbeing, such as food security, housing, aging, homeless services and more.
KOOTASCA Community Action Inc., Grand Rapids: $40,000: To support food security initiatives and related basic needs programming in Itasca and Koochiching Counties.
Citizens for Backus AB, Inc., International Falls: $30,000: To support food security through multigenerational meal access programming for families and community members in Koochiching County.
One Roof Community Housing, Duluth: $60,000: To support services that increase homeownership and home rehabilitation assistance for families in Duluth.
Damiano of Duluth, Duluth: $30,000: To support programming and services for unhoused and low-income community members in the Central Hillside neighborhood of Duluth.
Union Gospel Mission, Duluth: $45,000: To support emergency shelter and food security services in the Duluth community.
Access North Center for Independent Living of Northeastern Minnesota, Hibbing: $25,000:To support programming and services that increase in-home safety and accessibility for older adults in northeastern Minnesota.
Children’s Dental Services, Inc., Minneapolis: $30,000: To support access to dental care and oral health education for low-income children in northeastern Minnesota.
Head of the Lakes United Way, Duluth: $35,000: To provide general operating support for initiatives that serve children and families in Cook, Lake and St. Louis counties.
True North Goodwill, Duluth: $30,000: To support programming that helps low-income individuals in the Duluth and Iron Range communities overcome barriers to employment and increase their economic mobility.
Minnesota Diversified Industries, Minneapolis: $30,000: To support skill-building and training that increases independence and access to meaningful employment for individuals with disabilities in northeastern Minnesota.
BELONGING: Support for projects and initiatives designed to help everyone, especially those under-served or under-represented in traditional power structures, gain full and fair access to essentials like housing, education, employment, and generally thrive.
Schools and Programs serving Native American students, Northeast Minnesota: $70,000: To support Native American student well-being through culturally relevant activities that promote joy and healing.
- Grand Rapids School District – ISD 318, Grand Rapids, in collaboration with Deer River and Greenway Schools: $30,000
- Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, Cloquet: $20,000
- Bois Forte Boys and Girls Clubs, Nett Lake and Vermilion: $20,000
Family Freedom Center, Duluth: $50,000{ To support programming that promotes resilience, economic development and community leadership for Black, Native, multiracial, low-income and working-class families in the Duluth area.
DOMESTIC AND SEXUAL VIOLENCE AND ABUSE INTERVENTION/PREVENTION: Grants supporting prevention and intervention such as shelter, advocacy, legal and other supports in relation to domestic and family violence, sexual assault and human trafficking.
Advocates Against Domestic Abuse d/b/a HOPE, Aitkin: $60,000: To support community advocacy, direct services, and education for those experiencing domestic violence in Aitkin County.
EARLY CHILDHOOD CARE AND EDUCATION: Support for programming focused on prenatal to age five that nurtures the whole child, including physical, cognitive, emotional and social development.
Childcare Expansion and Retention, Northeast Minnesota: $60,000: For childcare program expansion in northeast Minnesota with funding provided by the State of Minnesota with Northland Foundation support.
- Care with Amanda, LLC, Virginia: $25,000
- Little Blessings Childcare Center, LLC, Virginia: $10,000
- Sydney Watland, Taconite: $10,000
- Vanessa Wychwood, Duluth: $2,500
- Summer LaMont, Chisholm: $2,500
OUT-OF-SCHOOL-TIME SERVICES: Grants supporting structured, consistent, and accessible out-of-school time educational programming and activities for broad groups of children and youth.
Friends of the Finland Community, Finland: $40,000: To support youth and family programming and services in the Finland community.
Lake Superior YMCA, Duluth: $40,000: To support free, enriching afterschool programming for children and families in the Harbor Highlands neighborhood of Duluth.
