Funding Notes
The Northland Foundation’s AGE to age communities, like many others across the region, state, and country, have recognized a need to re-ignite intergenerational social engagement and volunteer opportunities due the disruption that occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic. With funding support from the state and national initiatives outlined below, the AGE to age Community Engagement Project is infusing added financial and technical support into these 16 rural sites to help them strengthen social connections and improve the well-being of children, youth, older adults/elders, and the generations-in-between.
Throughout this project, the Northland Foundation is providing training and support to help communities share ideas with one another, as well as tapping the expertise and resources provided by the Wallace and Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota Foundations.
Wallace Foundation: Advancing Opportunities for Adolescents
In partnership with 16 AGE to age Communities across the region, the Northland Foundation, was chosen by The Wallace Foundation to participate in a one-year initiative called Advancing Opportunities for Adolescents. This effort is intended to help Wallace Foundation partners to better address the needs of adolescents who face barriers to participation in after-school and summer programs. This work will also build understanding to inform potential future Wallace initiatives as well as the youth development sector as a whole. Northland received $175,000 in funding.
“We are thrilled to be working with the Wallace Foundation to support community-based enrichment programming for under-served and at-risk rural youth, ” said Zane Bail, Chief Operating Officer. “This funding will bolstered our incredible AGE to age sites to better connect young people with older generations and create sustainable, culturally relevant opportunities that help youth thrive.”
Following the Wallace Foundation’s open call for submissions last fall, that prompted more than 1,700 expressions of interest, Northland was among 81 organizations invited to submit proposals and one of just 30 throughout the U.S. to be funded.
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota Foundation: Healthy Connections Program
The Northland Foundation was awarded a $100,000 grant over two years for our AGE to age: bringing generations together program. The grant is part of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota Foundation’s Healthy Connections program, which seeks to increase social connections within and across communities and generations to reduce social isolation. Northland is one of 13 grantees in Minnesota that received funding as part of this $2 million statewide initiative.
The Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota Foundation funds will help support community listening sessions along with piloting of new strategies for intergenerational programming.
“The Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota Foundation is in firm alignment with our belief that communities hold the answers to their pressing issues, and we are grateful for their support to help AGE to age sites implement local solutions to alleviate isolation of community members of all ages,” stated Northland Foundation President, Tony Sertich.