COVID-19 Response

The COVID-19 pandemic has created an unprecedented public health and economic crisis which has affected everyone in our region. The Northland Foundation acted quickly, alongside numerous partners, raising $2.6 million from March through June alone to support funding and technical assistance in northeastern Minnesota. Response took three main forms: targeted grantmaking, small business assistance, and child care support.

Targeted Grants

In mid-March, the Northland Foundation Board and staff made the decision to devote the remaining fiscal year grant budget to COVID-19 relief efforts supporting the most vulnerable populations in our region. A total of $610,000 in 37 individual grants were directed to food banks, Tribal Nations, nonprofits serving survivors of domestic and sexual violence, and the United Way of Northeastern Minnesota — organizations meeting critical needs for food, shelter, and safety.

VIEW TARGETED RESPONSE GRANTS

Grand Portage Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, Grand Portage	$30,000
To provide food and other essential supplies to Elders to help them stay safe and healthy during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Bois Forte Band of Chippewa, Nett Lake	$30,000
To provide food and other essential supplies to Elders to help them stay safe and healthy during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, Cloquet	$30,000
To provide food and other essential supplies to Elders to help them stay safe and healthy during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Advocates for Family Peace, Grand Rapids	$30,000
To provide additional services and supports to victims of domestic violence amidst the COVID-19 pandemic in northern St. Louis County.
Falls Hunger Coalition, Inc., International Falls	$10,000
To support efforts to address food security for people at risk of hunger amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.
Boys & Girls Clubs of the Northland, Duluth	$10,000
To support efforts to address food security for people at risk of hunger amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.
United Way of Northeastern Minnesota, Chisholm	$25,000
To provide basic needs supports to people in need as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
American Indian Community Housing Organization, Duluth	$20,000
To provide additional services and supports to victims of domestic violence amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.
Friends Against Abuse, International Falls	$10,000
To provide additional services and supports to victims of domestic violence amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.
Second Harvest North Central Food Bank, Grand Rapids	$25,000
To support efforts to address food security for people at risk of hunger amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.
Advocates Against Domestic Abuse dba HOPE, Aitkin	$11,000
To provide additional services and supports to victims of domestic violence amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.
Second Harvest Northern Lakes Food Bank, Duluth	$40,000
To support efforts to address food security for people at risk of hunger amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.
Duluth National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, Duluth	$10,000
To support health outreach to Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) communities during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Volunteer Services of Carlton County, Inc., Carlton	$10,000
To provide services and supports to older adults and their caregivers during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Age Well Arrowhead, Inc, Duluth	$10,000
To provide services and supports to older adults and their caregivers during the COVID-19 pandemic.
ANGELS of McGregor, McGregor	$5,000
To provide services and supports to older adults and their caregivers during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Arrowhead Regional Development Commission, Duluth	$15,000
To provide services and supports to older adults and their caregivers during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Aitkin County CARE, Inc., Aitkin	$10,000
To provide services and supports to older adults and their caregivers during the COVID-19 pandemic.
ElderCircle, Grand Rapids	$10,000
To provide services and supports to older adults and their caregivers during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Northwoods Partners, Ely	$10,000
To provide services and supports to older adults and their caregivers during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Koochiching Aging Options, International Falls	$10,000
To provide services and supports to older adults and their caregivers during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Care Partners of Cook County, Grand Marais	$10,000
To provide services and supports to older adults and their caregivers during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Community Partners - Two Harbors Living at Home/Block Nurse Program, Two Harbors	$10,000
To provide services and supports to older adults and their caregivers during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Arrowhead Economic Opportunity Agency, Virginia	$25,000
To provide services and supports to older adults and their caregivers during the COVID-19 pandemic.
North Shore Area Partners, Silver Bay	$10,000
To provide services and supports to older adults and their caregivers during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Lighthouse Center for Vision Loss, Duluth	$25,000
To provide services and supports to older adults and their caregivers during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Grand Portage Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, Grand Portage	$30,000
To provide services and supports to older adults and their caregivers during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Bois Forte Band of Chippewa, Nett Lake	$30,000
To provide services and supports to older adults and their caregivers during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, Cloquet	$30,000
To provide services and supports to older adults and their caregivers during the COVID-19 pandemic.
United Way of Northeastern Minnesota, Chisholm	$15,000
To support efforts to address food security for people at risk of hunger amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.
Citizens for Backus, International Falls	$5,000
To support efforts to address food security for people at risk of hunger amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.
Damiano of Duluth, Inc., Duluth	$5,000
To support efforts to address food security for people at risk of hunger amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.
Grand Portage Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, Grand Portage	$5,000
To support efforts to address food security for people at risk of hunger amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.
Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, Cloquet	$25,000
To support efforts to address food security for people at risk of hunger amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.
Bois Forte Band of Chippewa, Nett Lake	$5,000
To support efforts to address food security for people at risk of hunger amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.
St. Mark African Methodist Episcopal Church, Duluth	$4,000
To support outreach, health, and community building efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Duluth Area Family YMCA, Duluth	$15,000
To support efforts to address food security for people at risk of hunger amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.

Aid for Small Businesses

The Northland Foundation applied and was selected as a certified lender for the State of Minnesota’s Small Business Emergency Loan Program and received from the State $1.3 million which resulted in 50 zero-interest loans for northeastern Minnesota businesses directly and negatively affected by shut-down orders. As the regional host of the Northland Small Business Development Center, Northland also helps support a regional consulting team which provided timely technical support to entrepreneurs seeking to navigate the maze of state and federal assistance programs and manage their businesses in a fast-changing environment. In addition, the Northland Foundation collaborated with the Northspan Group and the Entrepreneur Fund to help establish a Small Business Relief Fund from which area businesses impacted by the pandemic can receive grant dollars.

VIEW MINNESOTA SMALL BUSINESS EMERGENCY LOANS

Evolve U Fitness & Wellness, International Falls

Lumberjack Lounge, LLC, Cloquet

AVI, LLC d/b/a Boat Club Restaurant, Duluth

Duluth Cider, LLC, Duluth

Twin Ports Kickboxing, LLC, Duluth

Chilly Billy's Duluth, LLC, Duluth

Chilly Billy's Miller Mall, Duluth

Emily Swentkofske d/b/a Hair Designs Unlimited, Grand Rapids

Three Families Brewing, LLC, d/b/a/ Voyageur Brewing Co., Grand Marais

Maggie's Farm LLC d/b/a The Ripple Bar On Lake Superior, Duluth

Grand Rapids Gymnastics Academy, La Prairie

Sweetman Duluth, LLC d/b/a Massage Envy Duluth, Duluth

Hustle & Heart Salon LLC, Duluth

Dubh Linn Brew Pub, Duluth

Rose Garden Enterprises d/b/a Valentini's Vicino Lago, Duluth

The Bohemian Palace, Inc. d/b/a/ Gampers Supper Club, Moose Lake

Danielle Lindberg Esthetics d/b/a Dani Does Brows, Duluth

Gunflint Tavern on the Lake, LLC, Grand Marais

Jerry and Tom's, Inc., Chisholm

Sonya Rae Young d/b/a Sonya Rae's Massage Therapy, Duluth

Tanks Bar & Restaurant, Inc., Babbitt

Wyndtree Family Restaurant, Inc., Moose LakeColour Lounge Salon & Spa, LLC, Duluth

Camp Cider, LLC d/b/a Wild State Cider, Duluth

East, Inc. d/b/a Perkins Restaurant, Duluth

Landfall Development Corp d/b/a Perkins Restaurant, Duluth

F&G of Cloquet, Inc. d/b/a Perkins Restaurant, Cloquet

Meadow Lawn Partners, LLC d/b/a Waxing the City, Duluth

Roadside Restaurant, Inc., Aitkin

Coach's Deerwood, Inc., Aitkin

Larson Saloon, Inc. d/b/a Larson Saloon Grand Rapids, Grand Rapids

Larson Saloon 2, Inc. d/b/a Larson Saloon Emily, Grand Rapids

Destination Fitness, LLC, Duluth

Laurentian Divide Salon & Spa, Inc., Britt

TNT Bros, Inc. d/b/a TNT Bar, Biwabik

Blissful Body, Inc. d/b/a Blissful Body by Stephanie, Ely

Grit Fitness of Duluth, Inc. d/b/a CrossFit Duluth, Hermantown

Angela Boese d/b/a Technique Salon, Duluth

KCG Liquor, Inc. d/b/a Riverside Pub, Aitkin

Castle Danger Brewing Company, LLC, Two Harbors

Jim's Sports Club, Inc. d/b/a Jims's Sports Club Bar and Grill, Chisholm

Parumar, Inc. d/b/a Valentini's Supper Club, Chisholm

30 West Fitness & Recreation, Chisholm

Howard Court Salon, LLP, Hibbing

Haralu Corp d/b/a India Palace Duluth, Duluth

Nash's Hideaway LLC d/b/a Denucci's Saloon, Nashwauk

Heather Duffney d/b/a Lorrie's Hair Studio, Aitkin

Range Pizza, Inc. d/b/a Vi's Pizza, Biwabik

Stacie Nelson d/b/a Mac's Salon on the Lake, Bovey

Schneider's Kitchen, Inc. d/b/a G.B. Schneider & Co., Duluth

Support for Child Care

In late March, Governor Walz asked the Northland Foundation and five other Minnesota Initiative Foundations for a solution to provide immediate relief to child care providers serving children of emergency and essential workers. The Emergency Child Care Grant Program was quickly up and running across Greater Minnesota, with $50,000 committed by each foundation for their respective rural region. Northland received nearly 300 applications from northeastern Minnesota providers, far exceeding the funds available. Additional fundraising through generous partners enabled the Northland Foundation to award $248,000 to 184 licensed family and center-based child care providers during the fiscal year.

VIEW EMERGENCY CHILD CARE GRANTS

Paradise Daycare, Proctor	$1,000
Little Dears Daycare, Hibbing	$1,000
Tiny Toes Daycare, Two Harbors	$1,000
Tabi's Daycare, Floodwood	$1,000
Hiatt's Daycare, Hibbing	$1,000
Hallie Swenson, International Falls	$1,000
Everyone Fitz In Daycare, Proctor	$1,000
Caribou Pines Explorers, Duluth	$1,000
Carol Carlson, Grand Rapids	$1,000
RSH Education LLC, Two Harbors	$1,000
Allison's Daycare, Floodwood	$1,000
Miss April's Little Raindrops, Grand Rapids	$1,000
Mini Mos, LLC, Esko	$3,000
Courtney's Corner Childcare, Proctor	$1,000
Bright Minds Playtime, LLC, Duluth	$1,000
Magen's Daycare, Duluth	$1,000
Lil Cupcakes, Cloquet	$1,000
Jill Vito, Cook	$1,000
Little B's Learning Center, Barnum	$3,000
Wiggles and Giggles Childcare, Esko	$1,000
Julie Leseman, Hermantown	$1,000
Under The Rainbow Daycare, Two Harbors	$1,000
Dream and Discover Daycare, Grand Rapids	$1,000
Lyndsey Knops Daycare, Hermantown	$1,000
The Backyard Playschool, Wrenshall	$1,000
Otis Family Daycare, Cloquet	$1,000
Veronica Kelley, Cloquet	$1,000
Bigfork Valley Child Care, Bigfork	$1,000
Caterpillar Clubhouse Childcare, Winton	$1,000
Cook County Child Care Center, Grand Marais	$3,000
Woods and Wonders Childcare, Duluth	$1,000
Building Blocks Childcare, Grand Rapids	$1,000
Sonya Lee's Little Learners Childcare, Duluth	$1,000
Nicole's Daycare, Duluth	$1,000
Building Blocks Learning Center, Duluth	$3,000
Lori McTavish, Duluth	$1,000
Laugh & Learn Childcare Center, Cloquet	$3,000
Little Beginnings, Cook	$3,000
Back 40 Schoolhouse, Cloquet	$1,000
Summer's Daycare, Duluth	$1,000
Lollipop Kids Daycare, Grand Rapids	$1,000
LaLa Land Daycare, Grand Rapids	$1,000
Learning Tree Childcare, Duluth	$1,000
Little Sprouts' Playschool, Wrenshall	$1,000
Little Lambs Learning Center, Duluth	$3,000
Bubbling Brook Child Care Center, Duluth	$3,000
Rose's Childcare, Grand Rapids	$1,000
Busy Bees Childcare, Proctor	$1,000
The Little's, Cloquet	$1,000
It's a Small World Child Care, Grand Rapids	$1,000
Hidden Valley Preschool, Duluth	$1,000
Kiddie Junction Daycare, Two Harbors	$1,000
Crystal Lake Childcare, Grand Rapids	$1,000
Jamie Heitzman's Daycare, Mountain Iron	$1,000
Brandie's Little Bear Learning Center, Eveleth	$3,000
Caring and Sharing Daycare, Aitkin	$1,000
Little Feet Big Dreams Daycare, Two Harbors	$1,000
Little Rascals Daycare, Grand Rapids	$1,000
Endion Square Children's Center, Duluth	$3,000
Little Kiddles Daycare, Grand Rapids	$1,000
Amber Niemann Kids Care, Grand Rapids	$1,000
Laurel Morken, Cloquet	$1,000
Terri Restad, Duluth	$1,000
Mini Minnows Day Care, Duluth	$1,000
Bright Beginnings Family Childcare, Grand Rapids	$1,000
YMCA Weefolksgarten, Grand Rapids	$3,000
Cammy's Daycare, Hibbing	$1,000
McKinney Lake Child Care LLC, Grand Rapids	$1,000
St. Michael's Lakeside Early Learning, Duluth	$3,000
Kiddy Karousel Child Care Center, Hibbing	$3,000
Sarah Berglund's Daycare, Proctor	$1,000
Little Bo Peep Daycare, Grand Rapids	$1,000
Happy Feet Daycare, Hibbing	$1,000
Laugh & Learn Childcare Center, Hermantown	$3,000
Patty's Daycare, Proctor	$1,000
Connie's Daycare, Proctor	$1,000
Benedictine Developmental Preschool, Duluth	$3,000
Children of Grace CEC, Hibbing	$3,000
Peanuts Daycare, Duluth	$1,000
My Little Sunshine's Daycare, Grand Rapids	$1,000
Tiny Towers Child Care, Grand Rapids	$1,000
Step Up Child Care, Grand Marais	$1,000
Lindsey's Daycare, Eveleth	$1,000
Great Beginnings, Duluth	$1,000
Carly Buirge, Duluth	$1,000
Mesabi Preschool Academy LLC, Proctor	$3,000
Tasha's Daycare, Saginaw	$1,000
Nana CJ's Daycare, Duluth	$1,000
Little Blessings, Barnum	$1,000
Risa's Family Daycare, Grand Rapids	$1,000
Wee Folk Child Care, Grand Marais	$1,000
LeAnn's Hermantown Daycare, Hermantown	$1,000
LaVonne Kerfeld, Duluth	$1,000
Christa's Kids Child Care, Grand Rapids	$1,000
Hibbing Parents Nursery School and Daycare, Hibbing	$3,000
Heather Hefter Daycare, Two Harbors	$1,000
YMCA Early Childhood Development Center, Hermantown	$3,000
Hannah's Child Care, Esko	$1,000
Amy's Daycare, Duluth	$1,000
Aunty's Child Care Center, Duluth	$3,000
Pearson's Daycare, International Falls	$1,000
Wright Place Child Care, Cloquet	$1,000
Julie's Childcare, Duluth	$1,000
Kiddiegarden Preschool & Daycare, Grand Rapids	$1,000
Cathy Wojtysiak, Saginaw	$1,000
Nicky's Family Daycare, Proctor	$1,000
Becky Montgomery Child Care, Duluth	$1,000
Molly's Childcare, Proctor	$1,000
Mimi's B&B Backyard and Barefoot, Duluth	$1,000
Cooperation Station Daycare, Grand Marais	$3,000
Lilypad Childcare, Coleraine	$1,000
Aunty's Child Care 2, Duluth	$1,000
Lil Lumberjacks in Piedmont, Duluth	$1,000
Lynn's Littles Licensed Daycare, Duluth	$1,000
Sharmon Tullgren, Duluth	$1,000
Care Bear Daycare, Two Harbors	$1,000
Lisa Beaudot Childcare, Esko	$1,000
Wild Beginnings Nature Playschool, Duluth	$1,000
KC's Daycare, Duluth	$1,000
Hallelujah Childcare Center, Hermantown	$3,000
Cornerstone Preschool & Childcare Center, Duluth	$3,000
Caroline Kresal, Duluth	$1,000
The Bunny Patch, Duluth	$1,000
Jill Bober, Isle	$1,000
Sugar Plum Daycare, Grand Rapids	$1,000
Brenda J Pfab, Duluth	$1,000
JoDene's Day Care, Aurora	$1,000
Jamie Durovec, Meadowlands	$1,000
Imagination Station Family Childcare/Preschool, Grand Rapids	$1,000
Baby Bear Child Care, Duluth	$1,000
Kylea's Little Critters, Carlton	$1,000
Miles of Smiles Daycare, Chisholm	$1,000
Becky Walker, Duluth	$1,000
Congdon Creek Preschool, Duluth	$3,000
Northwoods Playschool LLC, Grand Marais	$1,000
Nicole Skramstad Daycare, Cloquet	$1,000
Denese Kopnick, Duluth	$1,000
North Shore Daycare, Duluth	$1,000
Rena's Family Daycare, Grand Rapids	$1,000
Stepping Stone Childcare, Duluth	$1,000
Brenda Stanaway, Eveleth	$1,000
Educational Frontiers, Inc. dba Summit School, Duluth	$3,000
Cheryl's Kids & Company, Aitkin	$1,000
Lasting Impressions Child Care, Duluth	$1,000
Honey Bear Daycare, McGregor	$1,000
Woodline Daycare, Coleraine	$1,000
Renae's KidKare, Eveleth	$1,000
Warriors Playhouse, Deer River	$1,000
Theresa Lien, Duluth	$1,000
Li'l Lumberjacks' Learning Center, Cloquet	$3,000
Li'l Thunder Learning Center, Cloquet	$3,000
Kiddo Corral, Cohasset	$1,000
Li'l Sprouts Childcare, Grand Rapids	$1,000
Apple Blossom Child Care, Grand Rapids	$1,000
Little Explorers Discovery Center, Bigfork	$1,000
Little Fish on the Lake Daycare, Grand Rapids	$1,000
Lisa's Littles, Bovey	$1,000
Learn & Grow Childcare, Bovey	$1,000
Casper's Playland, Nashwauk	$1,000
Bug's Lil' Dragonflies Daycare, Grand Rapids	$1,000
Just Like Home Child Care, Nashwauk	$1,000
Wiggles & Giggles Nursery, Grand Rapids	$1,000
Dixie Limanen, Grand Rapids	$1,000
Rox's Daycare, Nashwauk	$1,000
Bright Beginnings Childcare, Deer River	$1,000
Ann Marie Huttner, Grand Rapids	$1,000
Little Feet Childcare, Grand Rapids	$1,000
Krystel's Kindercare, Grand Rapids	$1,000
Kate Care, Grand Rapids	$1,000
Rockin Round the Clock II, Grand Rapids	$3,000
Jill's Daycare, Taconite	$1,000
Penny Lane Day Care, Grand Rapids	$1,000
Kids Kingdom, Keewatin	$1,000
Miss Anna's Bananas Daycare, Grand Rapids	$1,000
Little Clover Tots, Grand Rapids	$1,000
Little Hollow Learning Center, Duluth	$1,000
Angela's Childcare, Duluth	$1,000
Tammy Pettersen, Moose Lake	$1,000
Amy Bartlette, Duluth	$1,000
YWCA of Duluth, Duluth	$3,000
Quad City Kids Daycare, Virginia	$3,000
Happy Time Day Care Center, Duluth	$3,000
Tykes N Tots Preschool & Childcare, Carlton	$1,000
Creation Station of Duluth, Duluth	$3,000

COVID-19 Funding Partners

Resources from the following organizations helped support the Northland Foundation’s COVID-19 targeted grants to nonprofit organizations and Tribal Nations; aid for businesses including grants, loans, and technical assistance, and grants to licensed child care providers.

VIEW COVID-19 FUNDING PARTNERS

TARGETED RESPONSE GRANTS

McKnight Foundation

Northland Foundation

Patrick and Aimee Butler Family Foundation

Margaret A. Cargill Philanthropies

Margaret A. Cargill Foundation Fund at the Saint Paul and Minnesota Foundation

SMALL BUSINESS ASSISTANCE

State of Minnesota: Department of Employment and Economic Development

Minnesota Disaster Recovery Fund: Minnesota Council on Foundations, Saint Paul and Minnesota Foundation

Minnesota Department of Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation

COVID-19 Knight Foundation Response Fund of the Duluth Superior Area Community Foundation

Wells Fargo Foundation

Compeer Financial

EMERGENCY CHILD CARE GRANTS

Minnesota Disaster Recovery Fund: Minnesota Council on Foundations, Saint Paul and Minnesota Foundation

Blandin Foundation

Minnesota Power Foundation