Special Grant
Opportunities
The Northland Foundation may offer special, time-limited grants for nonprofits or businesses above and beyond our regular grantmaking. Watch this page for current opportunities.
Housing Technical Assistance Program
The Northland Foundation is offering a three-year program starting July 1, 2025, to support rural communities in rural Northeast Minnesota 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.
July Information Sessions offered
Three initial information sessions are scheduled to explain the program and answer questions. Those interested in participating are encouraged to register in advance here.
- Virtual session: Wednesday, July 9, 2025, 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. This session will also be recorded and available on NSDC’s website afterward.
- Chisholm session: Wednesday, July 16, 2025, 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation Office, 1003 Discovery Dr, Chisholm, MN 55719
- Cloquet session: Thursday, July 17, 2025, 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. at the Cloquet Public Library, 320 14th St, Cloquet, MN 55720
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 Trust Community Responsive Fund
The application period for this special grant opportunity closed May 23, 2025. Applicants will learn of their status in September 2025.
Promise Act Grants for Businesses
Due to recent potential legislative changes to the program, round 2 of the Promise Act Grant program will occur sometime after the 2025 legislative session. Watch for more information in late spring 2025.
Grants for Child Care Businesses
The Northland Foundation currently does not have any open special grant opportunities for licensed child care start-up, expansion, and/or sustainability.
However, we are interested in learning more about your project or program. We can also share information with you about technical assistance, training, and other resources to support your child care business. Please email Taylor Holm, Program Officer.
For Help With
A Special Grant, the best contact for each grant is listed in the details of each specific opportunity.