09/30/2025
🔔We are so grateful to be the recipient of $30,000 for the Perpich Resilience Project, strengthening housing and supportive services for individuals and families on the Iron Range. Thank you, Boreal Waters Community Foundation!! ❤❤
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Boreal Waters Awards Record $1.34 Million to Local Nonprofits
[Duluth, MN] – The Boreal Waters Community Foundation (formerly Duluth Superior Area Community Foundation) has awarded $1.34 million in Community Opportunity Fund grants to 32 nonprofits, marking the largest grant cycle in its 40+ year history.
The Community Opportunity Fund is Boreal Waters’ largest unrestricted resource, designed to respond quickly to changing needs and opportunities. It supports projects that strengthen belonging, resilience, and opportunity across the region. The $25,000 - $50,000 grants reach communities in every corner of northeastern Minnesota and northwestern Wisconsin, from food access and housing to mental health services, youth programs, and the arts.
Meeting the Moment with Bold Action
This year, the Boreal Waters Board of Trustees raised its grant payout for the Community Opportunity Fund to 7.5%, surpassing the national standard of 5% used by most foundations. The decision put over $373,000 more into local communities this grant cycle.
“We are stewards of these resources, and the best way to honor our donors’ vision is to make sure their generosity is engaged today, in this time of great need, in the communities across our region,” said Kerstyn Hendricks, Chair of the Boreal Waters Board of Trustees.
Reflecting a Broader Trend
This bold step also aligns with a statewide trend in philanthropy. A July 2025 Minnesota Council on Foundations survey found that 67% of Minnesota grant makers have changed their practices this year in response to federal policy shifts, including increasing grantmaking dollars, adding flexibility, and providing technical support. Community foundations like Boreal Waters are leading the way in assisting nonprofits that have experienced federal funding shifts and simplifying processes for applicants.
Making Grants Easier for Nonprofits
This year also marked a change in how nonprofits apply. Instead of requiring a full proposal from every applicant, Boreal Waters introduced a Letter of Interest (LOI) stage to respect organizations’ time and energy.
A total of 176 organizations applied for funding. Of those, 54 were invited to submit a full proposal, and ultimately 32 were awarded a combined $1.34 million. Nonprofits described the new process as “refreshing,” “manageable,” and “well thought out.”
“We’re doing all we can to be responsive, make things more accessible, and get the money out the door faster,” said Amber Burns, Director of Community Impact and Partnerships at Boreal Waters.
What This Funding Makes Possible
Community Opportunity Fund grants fuel creativity, resilience, and care across the Boreal Waters region. Some grants this cycle include:
• Range Mental Health Center (Virginia, MN) — $30,000 for the Perpich Resilience Project, strengthening housing and supportive services for individuals and families on the Iron Range.
• Happy Days Preschool (Ely, MN) — $43,875 for the Healthy Food Initiative, ensuring young children have daily access to nutritious meals so they can learn and thrive.
• Grand Marais Art Colony (Grand Marais, MN) — $45,000 in operating support to expand arts programming and access in the Arrowhead region.
• Two Harbors Food Shelf (Two Harbors, MN) — $50,000 for the Super Shelf program, increasing access to healthy food for local families.
• Life House (Duluth, MN) — $50,000 in operating support to sustain comprehensive services for youth experiencing homelessness and instability.
• Cable Community Farm (Cable, WI) — $30,000 in operating support for a grassroots community farm that improves food access, sustainability, and resilience in rural Wisconsin.
• Friends of the Superior National Forest (WI/MN) — $32,500 for Shared Forest, Shared Future, mobilizing volunteers to strengthen community resilience and stewardship of one of the region’s most vital natural resources
“This funding allows us to better structure management and services to meet the needs of our residents. Housing is the foundation of community well-being, and this investment strengthens Range Mental Health Center’s ability to offer not only shelter but also a supportive environment where individuals and families can thrive.” — Annmarie Florest, CEO, Range Mental Health Center.
The full list of 2025 Community Opportunity Fund grants recipients is available at: https://www.borealwaters.org/stories/community-opportunity-fund--awards-2025
Looking Ahead
“This isn’t just our largest grant cycle, it’s a reflection of how we choose to lead,” said Shaun Floerke, President & CEO of Boreal Waters Community Foundation. “When communities face growing challenges, leadership means stepping forward with courage and trust. We’re deeply grateful to the donors whose generosity makes this possible and to the organizations doing the daily work of strengthening our region.”
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About Boreal Waters Community Foundation
The Boreal Waters Community Foundation (formerly Duluth Superior Area Community Foundation) strengthens communities across northeastern Minnesota and northwestern Wisconsin through philanthropy, partnerships, and innovation. Since 1983, the Foundation has awarded more than $75 million in grants and scholarships, fueled by the generosity of donors who believe in a thriving region for all.
