Special Grant
Opportunities

Housing Technical Assistance Program

The Northland Foundation is offering a three-year program starting July 1, 2025, to support rural communities and the Native nations within our service area to develop or advance their local housing plans. No-charge technical assistance is being provided through a partnership with North Shore Development Co. (NSDC) to help rural communities within our region to develop or advance their local housing plans.

Funding for this opportunity is being administered by the Foundation as allocated through the 2023 session of the Minnesota Legislature, authored by former Representative Dave Lislegard and Senator Grant Hauschild, and is governed by the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency.

Download a program flyer HERE

Examples of services include: advising and providing education to municipal leadership and communities on different types of housing and corresponding financial implications; how to effectively address community buy-in; development and use of housing studies; identification of appropriate development sites; zoning practices; financial resources like local housing trust funds and development incentives; and strategies to connect with potential developers. Note that this technical assistance does not include grant writing.

Information Session Recording

A virtual information session was held July 9, 2025, to explain more about the program. Access the recording HERE.

Apply to NSDC starting July 1, 2025

NSDC will begin accepting applications for technical assistance starting July 1, 2025, on their website at www.northshoredevelopmentco.com/assistance. Please direct any questions to NSDC. Entities eligible to apply include:

• A city, county, housing and redevelopment authority, or economic development authority within in Aitkin, Carlton, Cook, Itasca, Koochiching, Lake, or St. Louis counties.
• A governing body within one of the following Tribal nations: the Bois Forte Band of Chippewa, Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, Grand Portage Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe (District I), and Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe (District II).

Otto Bremer Community Responsive Fund Spring 2026

Applications will be accepted by invitation only April 1 through May 1, 2026. 

The Northland Foundation is serving as an intermediary for the Otto Bremer Trust (OBT) Community Responsive Fund with up to $600,000 available for re-granting within northeast Minnesota according to the priorities and guidelines of the OBT. Grants will range from $10,000 up to $75,000 to eligible applicants selected for funding. Applicants will be notified of their status by September 30, 2026.

Focus Areas that OBT Grants Will and Will Not Support

Grants may support operations, programming, and/or capital projects for eligible 501(c)(3) organizations operating within northeast Minnesota. Grant proposals must be for work in one or more of the following OBT focus areas. 

• Food. Organizations and programs that directly operate meal sites and food pantries to meet basic daily needs (large, region- and state-wide food bank activities are NOT included). 

• Shelter. Organizations and programs that provide short-term and emergency shelter beds for people who are housing insecure or facing homelessness. 

• Low-income healthcare clinics. Organizations and programs that primarily provide affordable medical, dental, and mental health services to people with limited financial resources or who are uninsured/under-insured. 

• Disability services. Organizations and programs that support people with physical/cognitive disabilities. 

• School-based mental health. Organizations and programs that have established school-based mental health services.

OBT Community Responsive Fund grant funds may not be used for the following. 

• Work to influence public policy.
• Sponsorships or annual events.
• Fiscal sponsorships.

Funding Amount and Eligibility Criteria

Grants requests must be between a minimum of $10,000 and maximum of $75,000 to support operations, programming, and/or capital projects. 

• The amount awarded may not exceed 10 percent of the organization’s previous fiscal year’s public philanthropic support as demonstrated through the most recent Form 990 (specifically Part VIII, Line 1f, “All other contributions, gifts, grants, and similar amounts not included above” OR “see FAQs”). This excludes government grants and contracts, earned income, investment gains, and in-kind contributions. 
• No more than 10 percent of grant funds may be used for administrative expenses. 

General criteria to be invited to apply include the following. 

• 501(c)(3) organization operating within northeast Minnesota for at least the past 5 years 
• Last fiscal year’s actual expenses must have been $2 million or more according to the last available Form 990. Organizations with less than $2 million in actual expenses are NOT eligible to apply. 
• Have a completed annual audited financial statement prepared by an independent CPA. 
• May not have an open OBT strategic grant.  
• Government entities and public schools are not eligible. However, non-public schools are eligible.

This is an invitation-only grant opportunity. However, if your organization meets the eligibility criteria and works within one or more of the focus areas outlined above within our service area, please contact Michelle Ufford, Vice President of Grantmaking.

Promise Act Grants for Businesses Round 2

The application period for round 2 of Promise Act Grants is now closed. Funding decisions will be made by the end of May 2026, and applicants will be notified by email.

Grants for Child Care Businesses