Funding Notes

Lloyd K. Johnson grant to help strengthen intergenerational engagement

A $15,000 grant from the Lloyd K. Johnson Foundation will support the implementation of the AGE to age Community Engagement Project in Lake County. This new grant, combined with support from the Wallace Foundation and the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota Foundation are helping re-ignite intergenerational social engagement and volunteer opportunities in AGE to age communities across the region.

“We are thrilled to receive this grant from the Lloyd K. Johnson Foundation for AGE to age programming in Two Harbors and the North Shore Area,” stated Zane Bail, Chief Operating Officer. “Our AGE to age community partners will be able to access training and financial support to strengthen social connections and improve the well-being of children, youth, older adults/elders, and the generations-in-between.”

The Lloyd K. Johnson Foundation seeks to promote access to educational opportunities and to improve the quality of life in the North Shore communities of Cook, Lake and southern St. Louis Counties.

Business Services Program receives funding boost from two longstanding economic development partners

$7,500 from Compeer Financial will advance economic opportunity in rural Northeast Minnesota.

The Compeer Financial Fund for Rural America is the corporate giving program of Compeer Financial, a farm lending cooperative serving Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Illinois. Over the past 15 years, Compeer Financial has provided $132,500 in funding to support the Northland Foundation’s programming aimed at fostering economic and community vitality in rural communities.

“Compeer Financials’ consistent support for the mission and work of the Foundation over the years has made a difference in the region’s well-being,” said Tony Sertich, Northland Foundation President. “Their continued generosity is greatly appreciated.”

Granite Partners Foundation funds will support Northland SBDC work with small businesses.

A $5,000 grant from Granite Partners Foundation of Minnesota will help support the Northland Small Business Development Program (SBDC), hosted regionally by the Northland Foundation.

“Each year, our SBDC consultants help hundreds of people in our region to start, sustain and grow their small businesses. We are pleased to receive this generous grant from Granite Equity to boost entrepreneurship and economic diversity in northeast Minnesota,” said Michael Colclough, Northland Foundation’s Director of Business Services.

Granite Partners is a private equity and investment company. The Granite Partners Foundation of Minnesota is a corporate foundation established in 2022 to enhance prosperity and wellbeing in the communities that enable the growth of the Granite Companies.