New funding for intergenerational program, business finance, and early childhood mental health

Otto Bremer Foundation grant helps propel AGE to age forward in Bois Forte and McGregor

The Otto Bremer Foundation has provided a $90,000 to the Northland Foundation to support project implementation in the AGE to age sites of McGregor and Bois Forte, near Bremer Bank locations. Not only will this funding allow the site teams to undertake exciting projects that serve their communities, but it also leverages one-to-one matching dollars from the Community Experience Partnership.

“The 10 AGE to age sites have fantastic projects planned, building relationships across the ages and helping their communities become more vibrant places. This commitment from the Otto Bremer Foundation is a tremendous help,” said Lynn Haglin, Vice President/KIDS PLUS Director at the Northland Foundation.

Wells Fargo EQ2 boosts Business Finance Program

The Northland Foundation’s Business Finance Program recently secured a $300,000 equity-equivalent investment, or EQ2 from Wells Fargo. This long-term financing will further capitalize the Business Finance Program to support job creation and retention in the region. Wells Fargo also provided a $200,000 EQ2 loan in 2007 to the Foundation.

“We are excited about the impact Northland Foundation will continue to have on small businesses in rural Minnesota communities,” said Jim Hanson, Wells Fargo regional president for Greater Minnesota.

“The assistance from Wells Fargo is appreciated and timely. We are already preparing to close on one loan with the EQ2 proceeds and have several others in the pipeline.” added John Elden, Northland's Director of Business Finance.

Medica Foundation grant helps expand infant and early childhood mental health efforts in the region

The Medica Foundation has provided a $25,000 grant to help implement the Rural Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Initiative. The initiative's goal is to increase capacity in rural northeastern Minnesota communities to promote the healthy social and emotional development of children birth to age five.

For example, through the initiative the Northland Foundation will award eight scholarships to early care and education providers to participate in a six week train-the-trainer program on The Six Keys: Strategies for Promoting Children’s Mental Health in Early Childhood Programs. Each recipient will offer workshops to share the information with others working with young children in their communities.

“Medica Foundation's support will help continue the forward momentum and build upon infant and early childhood mental health efforts across our region,” stated Lynn Haglin, Vice President/KIDS PLUS Director.