Celebrating wins, laying out challenges in the race for child care solutions
Shawntel Gruba is well-versed in the joys and difficulties of child care in northeast Minnesota.
The native northeast Minnnesotan had two decades of experience in early childhood education before opening Iron Range Tykes Learning Center seven years ago. She knows her chosen profession is vitally important to a rural region where child care is tough to find. Yet, she says, this is an industry on the edge. Her Mountain Iron, MN, center has space for 90 children … and a perpetual two-year waiting list. This is the reality in most rural communities statewide. There is no two ways about it: access to affordable, quality child care is in crisis.
“The need is huge, my team is so dedicated, and families we serve are grateful to have quality care,” said Gruba. “It’s just really hard to make the math work. This is a highly regulated industry. We can’t cut corners to keep the lights on. Rising operating costs get passed on to families.”
Gruba and her business partner, Katie Mitrovich, both parents themselves, understand the plight of families, too. Federal affordability guidelines suggest child care should cap at about seven percent of household income. But, Gruba says, “I know people paying two, three, even four times that. People are being squeezed out of the workforce.”
“In too many cases, parents leave the workforce because there are simply no openings near them, or the cost is more than their household can bear. Meanwhile, a lot of providers are at a breaking point.” —Shawntel Gruba, CEO, Iron Range Tykes
Here for the Long Haul
For 20 years, the Northland Foundation has been at the forefront of early care and education in Northeast Minnesota, affording us and our many regional early childhood, economic development, and community partners with an inside view of the pain points. It has been a race of two steps forward, one step back, gaining new child care slots here, losing a center here or several family providers there. Nevertheless, we persist.
As Gruba asserts, the system is in perpetual struggle mode. Providers perform an essential service but profitability proves elusive. Families can’t find care; some are on years-long waiting lists trying to time pregnancies to coincide with an opening. Strides have been in educating stakeholders the seriousness of it, yet critical shifts in public policy and widespread private-sector support have not gained a permanent foothold.
Although the system is imperfect, progress is possible! The Northland Foundation’s comprehensive approach to supporting childcare providers has positively impacted two-thirds of northeast Minnesota’s 357 licensed programs, while building on quality of care with training and quality rating initiatives. That the shortage of child care is slightly less than it was three years ago is a testament to the people and partners who are working the problem from every angle.
“Without child care, our economy doesn’t work. We aren’t going to completely fix our region’s child care shortfall, but we are chipping away at it. It has made a significant difference,” said Northland Foundation President, Tony Sertich.
Six Strategies on Tap
There are a half dozen big buckets where efforts have focused, in concert with many partners, providers, and community members working to solve this challenge.
Expansion and Retention: Aiming financing and funding to rural providers to start, grow, and sustain.
Technical Assistance: Assembling a no-cost network of mentors and business advisors.
Professional Development: Reducing barriers to accessing training and pursuing quality rating.
Workforce Strategies: Supporting providers to implement practices to attract and keep staff.
Community-led Planning: Facilitating a process in rural communities to find site-specific solutions.
Systems Change: Advocating for public policy change and increased private sector investment.
Expansion and Retention
Since 2017, we’ve helped launch or grow 46 child care programs creating 1,765 new slots thanks to $1.2 million in state funding through the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED). Although it is a modest amount of funding, it helped child care businesses to access nearly $18 million more in other investments to support their projects. Northland has also served in this role for county government, directing $750,000 in ARPA funds toward 23 child care programs.
Funding for expansion continues. Within the last year, $400,000 provided through DEED has boosted 16 child care start-up, retention, and expansion projects in the region so far. Another $240,000 recently awarded aims to help provide funding for up to 10 shovel-ready projects.
Technical Assistance
Besides funding, providers have asked for help with business planning, financing, and regulatory concerns. They are looking for thought partners who understand their unique challenges. Inquiries flow in from individuals looking to open or strengthen their child care business, and we connect them to tailored support including one-on-one help from experienced child care navigators.
The Northland Small Business Development Center has provided 400+ hours in no-cost business consulting services to 46 providers over the past three years alone. Child care ranks as the 4th most common industry type served by our SBDC—highlighting both the critical need and our focused response.
We hold regular resource coordination meetings with partners like Child Care Aware and First Children’s Finance. Northland also hosts listening sessions with the Minnesota Department of Human Services where providers in our rural region share their insights and experiences to inform DHS as it considers changes to licensing standards and policies.
Professional Development
Knowledgeable, developmentally and culturally appropriate care is vital to quality. Annually, the Northland Foundation hosts or supports 20 to 30 free or low-cost trainings for over 750 caregivers, lowering the cost barriers to professional growth. Through our Parent Aware Pathways program, we provide resources and incentives—like sign-on bonuses and curriculum tools—to support providers on their quality rating journey.
Our annual appreciation and training event, launched in 2008, continues to celebrate and elevate the child care workforce. This past spring in partnership with Child Care Aware, more than 200 providers gathered at the DECC in Duluth for DEVELOP-approved training sessions, lunch, and the chance to network with fellow providers from across the region.
Workforce Strategies
Solving the crisis means finding ways to bring, and keep, more trained and caring people into the field with compensation and benefits that keep them there. Strategies include the Jump Into Child Care program which provides free training to help individuals explore and launch careers in child care, especially in the Duluth area. And, with funding from area partners, a Workforce Solutions pilot project distributed grants to 62 licensed programs to implement staff recruitment and retention efforts including bonuses, wellness activities, and professional development.
“Northland and so many others have been at this work for a long time. But, we—the collective we—can’t rest, because the underlying issues that led to this crisis persist.” —Tony Sertich, President, Northland Foundation
Community-Led Planning
We’re supporting planning cohorts led by our partner, Northspan, in places like Silver Bay, East Range, Hibbing-Chisholm, and now Cloquet. Northspan facilitates an organizing process that guides a local contingent to explore different child care ideas and create actionable plans based on the needs, assets, and gaps of that particular site. When a diverse group community members is involved, actively engaged, and guided by expert facilitators promising ideas emerge.
Systems Change
Real change requires systemic thinking. Northland brings experience and knowledge without any direct self-interest to the policy making table. We amplify voices from our region working toward shifting child care systems, pilot innovative ideas that demonstrate workable models, and serve as a connecting point for partners and providers.
Systems change work for early care and education takes many different forms, including:
Increasing the number of Parent Aware rated programs in the region.
Strengthening relationships and information exchange among all the different entities working to support child care including County/Tribal Licensors, DHS, First Children’s Finance, Child Care Aware, Economic Development efforts, Workforce Development, etc. to help people and programs get access to the support they need while maximizing resources and minimizing duplication.
Piloting projects including Family Navigators and Family, Friend and Neighbor Child Care resources and supports.
Hosting focus groups and gather survey input to give licensed family and center-based providers in our rural region a chance to be heard and provide feedback as the Department of Human Services drafts improvements to the licensing standards.
Offering no- and low-cost cultural learning opportunities for people working with young children and families.
Sharing data and stories from our region at statewide meetings and, when asked, testifying at the state legislature.
Providers including Shawntel Gruba are doing their own advocacy work, too, pushing for change. Says Gruba, “These are our children. What better investment is there? I speak out in northern Minnesota and in St. Paul because we want the people elected to serve our communities to understand the realities we face, be inspired by our stories, and use their legislative power to support this critical industry.”
The Northland Foundation will keep working on child care from different angles, think outside the box, and be a collaborator in the work to stabilize child care.
To connect with us on supports and opportunities for child care, please contact Program Officer, Taylor Holm.
25 Years of Youth In Philanthropy
Learning, Leadership, and Giving Back
Youth In Philanthropy marks a quarter century of empowering young people to support positive action in their communities
Youth In Philanthropy is driven by young people supporting projects planned and led by other children and youth. Students on the board are encouraged to be curious, offer opinions, and learn the dynamics of board service among peers from across the region.
As the world moved into a new millennium, the year 2000 brought excitement and a little anxiety (remember Y2K?). The Northland Foundation began the new century with a fresh start, too, as we introduced a pilot youth development program. The idea was to introduce kids from rural northeast Minnesota to community giving and allow them to develop their potential to serve and lead.
Fast forward 25 years … the Youth In Philanthropy Program is still connecting young people with the responsibilities and rewards of volunteerism and grant-making.
Impact ripples across the region
Over that time, 110 youth board members and 21 volunteer adult mentors have awarded funding to 620 projects spread across all seven counties as well as the border community of Superior, Wisconsin. Their work adds up to major investments—more than half a million—making a difference in rural schools and communities, one grant of $1,000 or less at a time. Board members have hailed from more than 30 northeast Minnesota sites.
“It is pretty mind-blowing to think about where Youth In Philanthropy started and what a powerful force for good it has been for, and because of, kids in our region and the adults who support them,” said Tony Sertich, President of the Northland Foundation.
The magic formula: by youth, for youth
Each year, a group of 12 to 15 middle and high school students are invited to serve on the board. Many have not been in leadership roles before. That’s intentional. The program is designed to open doors for more young people to recognize and strengthen their abilities and grow in confidence.
“We are proud of what young people from our region accomplish year after year and optimistic about the future of Youth In Philanthropy.” — Jan Amys, Senior Program Officer
Students are the grant-makers and the grant recipients. Whether awarding or applying, young people discover firsthand how small groups of people working together can accomplish big things.
A youth-powered board of middle and high school students reviews grant requests prepared by children and youth and votes on funding.
Adult representatives amplify the youths’ voices, encouraging them to be curious, consider different perspectives, think critically, and reach their own conclusions.
Young grant applicants learn about project planning and budgets, how to seek funding, volunteers, and in-kind donations, cooperation, and seeing things through, from idea to completion.
Communities learn that kids are genuinely excited to help others, and the community benefits not just today but long-term as engaged young people become invested adults.
The program year includes a September orientation and team-building session, board meetings in October, January, and April to award funding, and a spring celebration event.
A reunion and celebration
Clockwise from top: past-to-present youth and mentors at the 25th celebration; looking back on the 2001 board, a current mentor and two youth members including the incoming chair.
This year, the annual springtime board banquet was followed up with a special event to commemorate 25 years of programming.
An anniversary gathering in Duluth joined Youth In Philanthropy participants and supporters from throughout its history.
The dinner and program held on May 22 in Duluth welcomed original youth board members right up through the incoming 2025-2026 youth chair, past and present adult mentors and Northland trustees, as well as staff, including Lynn Haglin, former Vice President/KIDS PLUS Director who created Youth In Philanthropy 25 years ago.
“It is so much fun to learn where life has taken the young people who have served on the board. Many of them are grown now with children of their own,” said Senior Program Officer, Jan Amys, who has been with Youth In Philanthropy since 2007 and leads the program today.
Generations of support
In a typical year, the board awards in the neighborhood of $25,000. Grants from YIP have helped launch peer mentoring programs, school health fairs, environmental learning, and much more—in small towns where good ideas aren’t scarce, but funding often is.
Past program support came from Minnesota Power as well as individual donors. In recent years, the program is supported through the generosity of the Scott and Holly Martin Family Foundation and members of the Northland Foundation’s Emeritus Trustee Group.
Noted Amys, “The kids on the board know their grant budget is the result of donations from former Northland Foundation board members. It creates a really cool component of experienced philanthropists helping instill the spirit of giving in upcoming generations,” she said.
Marking a milestone
Watch and listen as past and present Youth In Philanthropy board members share their experiences with the program.
Take a look and listen! A new, four-minute video highlights a quarter century of grantmaking by and for young people in our rural region. Special thanks to former youth board members Rizal Agaton Howes (2020-2025), Luke Wohlwend (2006-2009), and Angie Johnson (2000-2003) and to Northland Foundation Trustee and adult mentor, Jamie Adams, for sharing their experiences.
Youth In Philanthropy ignites young people’s potential, strengthens rural places, and builds a more generous future for our region. We are celebrating 25 years, and we’re just getting started.
Learn More or Apply
Are you a young person or youth-serving organization with a great project idea? Through Youth In Philanthropy, young people ages 8 to 18 have an opportunity to develop and implement projects that will benefit their schools, organizations, and communities. Grants up to $1,000 are awarded 3x per year for school or community projects led by children and youth, with the support of an adult advisor. Community and school groups and youth-serving nonprofits may apply. Projects must take place in northeast Minnesota or Superior, Wisconsin. The next deadline to submit a grant is October 1, 2025.
Victoria Hagberg, Curt Walczak, and Christopher Henagin attended and were honored in Atlanta during the 45th Annual ASBDC Conference in September.
Owning a small business is often challenging, but it’s a lot less daunting when you have somewhere to turn to for expert guidance. The Northland Small Business Development Center (SBDC) provides that kind of foundational support for entrepreneurs in northeast Minnesota. This is a team of business consultants who put their hearts and souls into helping small businesses find success. In early September, three of them received high honors for their commitment to this work. The Northland SBDC is hosted by the Northland Foundation and is one of nine regionally based SBDC centers in Minnesota.
Victoria Hagberg, Regional Director, and Christopher Henagin, Business Consultant, were national 40-Under-40 Award recipients, and Curt Walczak, Associate Regional Director, was named the State Star for Minnesota. All three were celebrated in early September during the America’s SBDC Annual Conference in Atlanta, Georgia.
“Vicki, Curt, and Christopher are not only smart and hard-working, they also genuinely care about their clients – they believe in our region’s small businesses. It is terrific to see their efforts singled out among their peers nationwide.” — Tony Sertich, Northland Foundation President
One shining State Star
State Stars, chosen by their statewide SBDC networks, are among the best of the best — those who demonstrate exemplary performance, make significant contributions to their networks, and are deeply committed to the success of small businesses, based on their impact on clients, innovative approaches, team spirit, and willingness to go the extra mile. The Minnesota Star is selected from among the nine regionally based Minnesota SBDCs.
Curt Walczak
Curt has spent the past 23 years as a SBDC business consultant and trainer. In early 2023, he advanced to Associate Regional Director. Curt has developed a number of trainings covering topics vital to businesses and shared his knowledge generously with SBDC staff regionally, statewide, and nationally. He has assisted northeast Minnesota businesses of all different sizes, from one-person operations to larger, more established entities. Curt holds accounting and business management degrees along with certifications as a Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer and Economic Development Finance Professional. He also has 19 years of private industry experience.
Said Andy Donahue, the Minnesota SBDC State Director, of Curt, “He has had a profound impact on hundreds of small businesses and been a trusted mentor to his colleagues. This prestigious award is a testament to Curt’s vast knowledge and his passion for helping entrepreneurs succeed.”
Two inspiring 40-Under-40 winners
The 2024 40-Under-40 Awards were presented to 40 outstanding individuals within the SBDC’s national network of small business consultants, selected by a panel of judges from the America’s SBDC Millennial Interest Group. Nominees may work with any of the nearly 1,000 SBDCs operating across the country. Only 40 individuals are ultimately recognized for their knowledge, innovation, and dedication.
“Vicki and Christopher represent the future of our industry, and we are excited to see the continued impact they will make as they lead us into the next generation of growth and success,” Donahue stated.
Vicki Hagberg
Vicki joined the Northland SBDC in 2020 as a business consultant and was promoted to Regional Director in January 2023. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering and has 14 years of experience in engineering and project management in addition to her work in community and economic development. Vicki is an Iron Ranger who is passionate about serving her community. She has been part of many local and regional boards related to economic development, workforce development, and more. Just recently, Vicki was appointed to a ASBDC committee that is developing core competencies and curriculum for SBDC advisors nationwide to be considered experts in using AI to assist small businesses.
Christopher Henagin
Christopher came on board as a Business Consultant with the Northland SBDC in October 2022. He is a graduate of the Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College and The College of St. Scholastica and holds a Bachelor’s degree in Marketing. Christopher brings a wide range of professional experience to his SBDC work, as well, having a background that includes human resources, financial advising, and digital marketing. He is also a small business owner, himself! Christopher serves on several regional boards with a strong focused on community development and housing access in the region.
Congratulations to Curt, Vicki and Christopher with appreciation for their great work on behalf of northeast Minnesota people and communities!
More about the Northland SBDC
The Northland Small Business Development Center supports entrepreneurs and business owners within seven northeast Minnesota counties (Aitkin, Carlton, Cook, Itasca, Koochiching, Lake, and St. Louis) and five Native nations (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).
A group of 18 consultants located around the region provides confidential consulting and business education to facilitate growth for small and mid-size companies and help launch new enterprises, all at no cost to clients. Find out more and sign up for no-charge business consulting.
Priorities, programs, and a variety of possibilities
From the day we opened our doors in 1986, offering grants to benefit northeast Minnesota has been the bedrock of our work. Since then, in collaboration with many generous funding partners, we have awarded more than 6,500 grants totaling over $53 million and counting.
Along the way, the grant program has expanded and, we hope, improved. Time and feedback have led to changes—revisiting priorities, launching new programs like Maada’ookiing, shifting to more general operating support, and simplifying applications and reporting.
“Effective grantmaking can’t be too prescriptive and force grantees into narrow lanes of what we think they should do,” states Michelle Ufford, Director of Grantmaking. “At the same time, we can’t be all things to all people and spread limited resources broadly yet too thinly to do much good. There’s a sweet spot we try to hit.”
Here is a snapshot of Northland Foundation’s Grant Program today and the different opportunities currently available to grantseekers.
Ongoing grant opportunities
Northland currently offers three regular avenues throughout the year to access grant funds. Funding is awarded either three or four times annually, depending on the program. You can dig deeper into each opportunity in the Grants section of our website.
Quarterly Grants to Nonprofits or Government Entities
On a quarterly basis, the Northland Foundation awards grants of $10,000 and up to nonprofit organizations and government entities such as school districts and Tribal nations within our region. Quarterly application deadlines are January 5, April 1, July 1, and October 1.
Aimed at nonprofit 501(c)3 organizations, school districts, Tribal nations, and local governmental agencies. Most grants to nonprofits that are based in our region offer general operating support; other types of grantees including those headquartered outside the region but doing work here receive program-restricted funding for specific activities.
Organizations apply using our online grant portal. Deadlines are January 5, April 1, July 1, and October 1. Approved grants are dispersed around 90 days after each deadline. Contact our Director of Grantmaking, Michelle Ufford with questions.
Maada’ookiing Grants to Native American Individuals or Groups
In many Native American traditions, the act of giving is recognized as a mutual act that benefits the entire community. Maada’ookiing (Ojibwemowin for “the distribution”) began in May 2021 to help support grassroots, Native-led community building that strengthens Native culture and communities. An advisory board of Native American representatives meets 3x per year to recommend grants up to $2,500 each.
Available to individuals or groups who are Tribal citizens, descendants, or have kinship ties or affiliation for work taking place in Northland Foundation’s geographic service area. Types of projects eligible for funding include sharing cultural activities, strengthening access to language, supporting youth, and more.
Applicants use an online application portal found on our website. Deadlines are February 15, May 15, and September 15. Awarded grants are dispersed about two months after the deadline. For questions, contact Program Officer, Cayla Bellanger DeGroat.
Youth In Philanthropy Grants to Children-and-Youth Led Projects
The Youth In Philanthropy Program is a unique advisory board made up of middle and high school students from around the region, guided by adult mentors, who gain hands-on experience with philanthropy and volunteer service at a young age. The “YIP” board meets 3x per year to recommend for funding grants up to $1,000 each to projects led by children and youth with help from adult advisors.
The proposed project for funding must be planned and carried out by young people, and the grant itself written by children/youth, with support from an adult advisor. A fiscal agent is required e.g. school/school district, Boys & Girls Clubs, 4-H, or other nonprofit.
The application and budget template are fillable pdf forms found on our website. Deadlines are January 1, April 1, and October 1. Grants are dispersed about two months after each deadline. Contact Senior Program Officer, Jan Amys with questions.
Special, time-limited grant opportunities
Time-limited funding opportunities may also be available. These are grants that come and go, often (but not always) based on funding from outside sources. Depending on the grant, applications may be open to nonprofit organizations, individuals or small groups, or businesses or community development entities. Keep an eye on the Special Grants page of our website to stay abreast of unique funding opportunities.
Right now, several special grants are on offer. Two opportunities are designed help start, expand, or sustain child care operations in Greater St. Louis County, and the third is the state-funded Border County Economic Relief Program grants for Minnesota businesses in counties bordering Canada who lost revenues due to recent border andBWCA closures.
Grants, done well, get the right resources into the hands of changemakers doing the work of moving their communities forward. There is a continuous process of assessing and adjusting to make sure grant practices hit the mark, as best we can. Your feedback is always welcome. Stay in touch!
A fresh spark for AGE to age communities
Hitting the reset button on intergenerational community-building
The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines community as an interacting population of individuals in a common location. A 2017 Together Institutearticle describes it as a group of people that care about each other and feel they belong together.
In our rural AGE to age sites, community is all that and more. It’s a place where members of every age are valued, respected, considered, and included.
The Northland Foundation first launched AGE to age: bringing generations together in 2008 with a few pilot sites. The big, audacious goal? To offer rural communities a framework to reach and connect two important but often overlooked groups: youth and older adults. Response was incredible. AGE to age grew to include 15 Northeast Minnesota sites and three Native nations in our region.
Northland, with generous partner support, provided training, technical assistance, a regional learning group, and funding to help each site build and sustain their AGE to age activities. Tens of thousands of older adults, young people, and the ages in between engaged in hundreds of local projects. Year after year, participants reported that they felt more connected, less lonely, and enjoyed greater overall well-being. It was going wonderfully well. Then came the spring of 2020.
AGE to age Community Engagement Project
Programs rooted in face-to-face interaction, like AGE to age, naturally lost some momentum during the pandemic. In the aftermath, communities were eager to get back on track. Enter the AGE to age Community Engagement Project.
In 2022, we were awarded a significant $500,000 two-year AmeriCorps Seniors-Senior Demonstration grant. The federal funding assisted AGE to age sites to build on their existing programs, to help children and youth thrive and reduce social isolation across generations. Activities included homework help, art clubs, environmental projects, and more.
Our program staff and local site coordinators in AGE to age communities, along with their teams of volunteers and local residents, have been busy!
A regional AGE to age Summit bringing intergenerational teams together for team-building and leadership training was held last Fall
Site-specific listening sessions and surveys gave community members input on the intergenerational activities they’d like.
Ongoing peer learning sessions join AGE to age coordinators to debrief on listening session and survey results and exchange insights.
In June, a Leadership Summit included 42 AGE to age Coordinators and program staff. They participated in a Search Institute training, “Intentional Relationship Building”, and each team took the mic to give an update on the exciting work already happening.
Funding awards of $10,000 to $20,000 are supporting AGE to age Communities with their new and expanded programming.
The June training for Community Engagement Program sites was high-energy and interactive.
Naawakwe shared Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa AGE to age updates. After a day well spent, Summit teams were all smiles.
Enthusiasm and resources fuel local projects
So, what HAS been going on in our region with the AGE to age Community Engagement Project underway? Read on for just a small taste.
In Aitkin, more than 90 older adults spent 1,000 face-to-face hours with children and youth this past year. When a local teacher was out on family leave, older adults volunteered to teach the sewing class. A call for donated cribbage boards to help kids improve math skills morphed into intergenerational cribbage lessons. Grandfriends (pictured above), book buddies … the list goes on.
Grand Portage elders are connecting with children and youth for Reading Buddies as well as teaching traditional practices such as sugarbushing.
We’re seeing the bright light again after COVID. Today feels like coming full circle.” —Vicki Radzak, Moose Lake
In Bigfork, high school shop students are making repairs to the intergenerational garden and the annual BINGO night brings the whole community together.
East Range communities (Mesabi East School District), like other sites, are taking community input to action. “Our listening session was mind-blowing. Our youth want hands-on life skills learning,” said coordinator Rachel Doherty.
One such project involved retired bus driver, Bob, who led three young men in building a hydroponic garden system. “The boys would be disappointed when Bob missed a session,” explained Doherty, “and when it was done, Bob was beaming with pride. It was a great way to provide mentorship for boys.”
Rural sites engage with renewed vigor
AGE to age has come of age. Now 16 years in, and post-pandemic, sites are re-energized and resourced to fully resume bringing generations together.
Generous funding partners, dedicated coordinators and volunteers, and local support are sparking opportunities that redefine what “community” means in our rural region.
If you live in an AGE to age community and are interested in learning more or want to find out how to participate, please email our Program Officer, Taylor Holm, or call her at 218-740-7306.
Newly added trustees bring diverse experiences and perspectives
Welcoming fresh voices, recognizing contributions of former Trustees
The Northland Foundation’s Board of Trustees warmly welcomes three new members who begin their terms at the April 2024 board meeting.
They join a team hailing from communities across our region who have a wide range of backgrounds yet who share a common quality: passion for the places we call home. Find the full Board of Trustees on our website.
“We are thrilled be adding these three individuals to the dynamic group of leaders on our board.”
He served as interim Executive Director working directly with the Tribal Council implementing policy and procedure. Previously, he worked within the Leech Lake Division of Resource Management as Environmental Director for Natural Resource Management. Among his past accomplishments was helping facilitate the government-to-government development of the 2019 Memorandum of Understanding relationship between Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe and the Chippewa National Forest. Ben holds a bachelor’s degree in Biochemistry from the University of Minnesota College of Biological Science.
Ben Benoit
Kenneth A. Reid currently serves as the Associate Vice President of Student Affairs at Lake Superior College in Duluth, Minnesota. In this role, he supports student affairs/services departments, works collaboratively to increase student success, and evaluates policies and procedures impacting student retention, persistence, and completion.
Before his appointment at Lake Superior College, Kenneth served in several other functional areas, including residence life, student conduct, and diversity, equity, and inclusion for nearly eight years at various institutions. He holds a B.S. in communication with an emphasis in advertising and public relations from Grand Valley State University, and an M.A. in post-secondary education: student affairs from the University of Northern Iowa.
Kristen Vake is the Executive Director of the Iron Mining Association of Minnesota (IMA). She holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Wisconsin-Superior and a master’s degree from Northwestern University in Chicago. As a former TV news anchor and journalist, Kristen brings vast storytelling experience to her role at the IMA, sparking meaningful conversations about iron mining and its role in our future.
Kristen grew up in Chisholm, MN. A proud Iron Ranger, she is driven to influence positive growth and change across the region and beyond. She helped create a nonprofit called ReGen to make sure young people in the region have a seat at decision-making tables. She serves on the Minnesota Center for Mineral Resource Education board and volunteers for the United Way of Northeastern Minnesota as well as several chambers of commerce.
Kenneth A. Reid Kristen Vake
Outgoing Board Members
We would also like to recognize former Trustees, Baabiitaw Boyd and Shaye Moris, both of whom stepped down from the Northland Foundation board in recent months. Thank you for serving our organization and, most importantly, the people and communities of our region!
Board welcomes newly elected chair and two new trustees
With gratitude to Immediate Past Chair and retiring Trustees
At its upcoming December meeting, the Northland Foundation’s Board of Trustees will officially bring two new members into the fold and be guided by a newly elected Board Chair.
Officers for 2021-2022 are: Angie Miller, Chair; Shaye Moris, Vice Chair; Cindy Anderson Bina, Secretary; and Peter McDermott, Treasurer. Find all current trustees on our website.
Angie Miller
“The board sets the foundation’s direction and challenges and encourages us to evolve. We are fortunate to have such smart, dedicated folks working on behalf of our region.”
Tony Sertich
Outgoing Board Leaders
In September, trustees and staff also celebrated Jason Hollinday, who concluded his term as Chair but continues his board service through next spring. Jason has provided steady, flexible leadership throughout the uncertainty of the pandemic. Thank you, Jason!
There was also a warm send-off for Trent Janezich who rotates off the board after ten years, including two as Chair. Trent will stay connected as an Emeritus Trustee Group member, as will former trustee, Lisa Kruse, who retired from the Board in the spring.
Meet New Trustees
Following an open, region-wide search and selected from an impressive group of applicants, Michelle Ufford and Jamie Adams have joined the Board of Trustees. As further introduction, read a bit about their backgrounds and their individual responses to the question, “What about the Northland Foundation’s mission is most meaningful to you?”
Jamie Adams is an Economic Development Planner with the Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa. She also serves on the Northspan and Solon Springs Educational Foundation boards. Jamie has been a volunteer adult mentor with the Northland Foundation’s Youth in Philanthropy Board and an AGE to age coordinator. She holds Bachelor’s degrees in Environmental Studies and Urban and Regional Studies from the University of Minnesota Duluth.
“The mission aligns directly with my passion in life, which is helping communities thrive – especially by investing in youth. I appreciate that the foundation listens to each community and recognizes that each one is different,” stated Jamie.
Jamie Adams
Michelle Ufford is the Director of Workforce Strategy for Essentia Health. Previously Michelle worked at the Northeast Minnesota Office of Job Training, including 12 years as Executive Director and most recently as School-business Coordinator for Rock Ridge Public Schools. She serves on a number of other boards including the Minnesota Governor’s Workforce Development Board. She holds a degree in psychology from the University of Minnesota.
Of the mission, Michelle said, “Having been involved in workforce development in our region for over 21 years, as well as being a 5th generation Iron Ranger raising a family here, I have a vested interest in ensuring our communities thrive today and in the future.”
Attraction and retention projects and partnerships aim to bolster child care and aging services
August headlines read, “Minnesota Unemployment Rate Holds at 1.8%, an All-Time Low”. That’s good news, right? Well, yes and no. Historically low unemployment means workers have more choices but also that there is fierce competition for job seekers. Meanwhile, the costs of living and doing business are rising, putting the squeeze on both households and employers.
Two critically important “caring professions” struggling under current conditions – child care and elder care – are costly to provide compared to what most families can afford to pay. Caring for our youngest and oldest community members are two sectors that were already struggling to attract and retain workers even before the pandemic and the current tight labor market.
The Northland Foundation along with many partners is doing our part to find short- and longer-term solutions.
Child Care Workforce Survey, Working Group & Pilot Project
The child care crisis was well-known in Minnesota even before COVID-19, but the pandemic created a massive strain on providers who battled with inconsistent attendance, closures due to COVID exposure, supply shortages and high costs, and staff burnout. Now the competition for workforce is putting added stress on this sector.
Data compiled by First Children’s Finance (July 2021) shows northeast Minnesota needs 4,567 more child care openings to accommodate families with children age six and under—or 57% more spaces than we currently have.
CHILD CARE CENTER DIRECTOR SURVEY
In June, the Northland Foundation partnered with Northspan to conduct a survey of licensed child care center owners and directors in the region.
Most (72%) of those who took the survey have a child care center in St. Louis County and included both for-profit and nonprofit operations. On average, respondents indicated they could operate at full capacity with a staff of 16. Many indicated they currently have two to five positions unfilled, including teachers, assistant teachers, and substitutes.
Pay rates and retention rose to the top of the list of current difficulties. Just over one-third reported serving fewer children due to staffing shortages. A number of owners/directors are filling in for teachers and assistants to meet adult-to-child ratios, leaving little time for administrative tasks.
Asked to identify barriers related to staff professional development, 64% reported their biggest hurdle was coverage in the classroom while staff attend trainings.
A major challenge within the child care industry revolves around providing teachers and other staff a competitive wage, while keeping the program operable and affordable for parents. Nearly 80% reported losing staff to other jobs with higher wages. Mental health and burnout were also cited.
“The current business model of child care does not seem to be working. In order for us to pay our employees more, we have to raise our rates and parents are already struggling. We need funding to help us maintain our workforce and be a desirable employer.”
Licensed Child Care Center Director – Survey Respondent
CHILD CARE TALENT PIPELINE WORK GROUP AND PILOT PROJECT
A Child Care Talent Pipeline Workgroup has formed and is tasked with pursuing strategies to help child care providers find and keep qualified talent. The group is facilitated by Northspan in partnership with Northland Foundation and counts center directors, higher education, economic development and business interests, and community organizations among its members.
In addition, the Northland Foundation is designing a Child Care Center Workforce Solution Pilot Project to launch this fall. The plan is to make flexible funding available to licensed child care centers to help with staff recruitment and retention to stabilize and grow program capacity. Participating pilot programs could receive additional supports and resources by attending specialized trainings and/or or peer learning opportunities.
“With the roll out of the new Child Care Talent Pipeline Work Group coupled with new Minnesota Department of Human Services Child Care Capacity Building efforts, the timing is excellent to pilot and test locally designed solutions to address workforce challenges impacting our region’s child care sector,” stated Zane Bail, Northland Foundation’s chief operating officer.
Aging Services Workforce Projects In Progress
Through our Integrated Rural Community Aging Program, a three-year initiative that will conclude at the end of 2022, the Northland Foundation has provided funding support for two regional workforce solution pilot projects. In spite of challenges and delays created by COVID, which hit just as they were getting underway in 2020, the Foundation’s two Regional Aging Services Workforce Partners have implemented exciting projects help increase the quantity and quality of paid caregivers in northeast Minnesota.
Hosted SCRUBS and Health Care Career Exploration camps, including one focused on Indigenous students, one virtual, and one in Hibbing, to give high school students a supportive, hands-on introduction to these careers.
Soft-launched a robust website for the Arrowhead Regional Consortium of Healthcare Staff as a comprehensive hub for anyone looking into these careers, who are interested in advancing their careers with additional training and certifications, and for employers looking to hire. The site (here’s an introductory video) allows numerous regional and state partners to add resources such as scholarships, loan repayment programs, training, etc. as well as workforce events at any time.
Launching a region-wide marketing program to raise awareness of the website tools and health care and aging services careers to help inform and attract more people to the field.
Indigenous students gained a hands-on feel for health careat the Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College SCRUBS Camp.
Improving secondary and post-secondary curriculum to align with industry standards in the healthcare sector.
Expanding work-based learning opportunities for high school students in local healthcare facilities.
Leading a process to co-create a vision for a regional approach to promote widespread awareness of local healthcare training programs.
Additionally, seven northeast Minnesota Community Planning and Care Coalitions, with technical support and funding also provided through the Foundation’s Integrated Regional Community Aging Program, have been hard at work in Aitkin County, Ely Area, Itasca Area/Northern St. Louis County, Koochiching County, North Shore Area, and Two Harbors driving quality of care initiatives that have:
Increased training for volunteers to enhance recruitment, retention, and the quality of informal care.
Created new positions such as Care Navigators and Aging Services Coordinators to help connect older adults and their caregivers in their communities with services and supports.
Provided mileage and stipends for in-home respite and home health workers to help with worker retention and service to some of the region’s more isolated, rural areas.
Expanded in-home visitor programs that are “eyes in the home” to ensure that older adults are receiving care and attention they need.
“Northland and our partners are doing what we can to support workforce attraction and retention in two areas where we have experience, funding, and traction: child care and aging services.”
Tony Sertich, Northland Foundation President
The Northland Foundation will continue seeking funding, collaborating with public, private and nonprofit sector partners, and testing new approaches to help ensure our youngest and oldest citizens can receive the care they need.
Building Up Belonging Across Place, Race, and Class
New funding, focus, and partnerships designed to increase opportunities for everyone in our region to thrive
What does a sense of belonging mean to you? Offhand, it may be knowing your neighbors, living near friends and family, or joining a team, club, or social group. We think it is also having the voice, power, and tools to improve your circumstances and shape your future.
When you belong you feel welcomed, seen, respected, and invested in your community. You have the opportunities you need to create a good life for yourself and your family. Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) are words we hear often today. We believe “belonging” is foundational to DEI.
The Northland Foundation is building up belonging in our region along geographic, racial, and socioeconomic lines, or place, race, and class. This work is expanding things we’re already doing, as well as starting new programs and partnerships.
Why it’s important
Our mission is to “invest in people and communities for a thriving region”. This region as a whole can only reach its best potential if everyone living in it has a fair shot at success.
“Through conversations with all kinds of folks across our region, we know there are people who feel left out or left behind in a variety of ways. The strongest communities are ones where everyone can thrive. That’s where we’ll continue to focus our work.”
Tony Sertich, Northland Foundation President
Northeast Minnesota and the Native nations of this region have many strengths and assets. It’s also true that opportunities can differ based on where you live, who you know, the color of your skin, your current income, or family background. Not everyone has full and fair access to even the essentials like quality housing, education, health care, child care, employment and entrepreneurship. This needs to change for us all to realize our fullest potential as a region.
We see our part in driving change as two-fold. 1. Increase support for people who have traditionally been left behind, especially in relation to place, race, and class. 2. Work to undo barriers that have long been “baked in” to society, including those firmly in our wheelhouse – philanthropy and small business assistance.
What we’ve been doing
Northland has had a positive history of relationships with and funding for rural communities, Native nations, organizations led by and serving Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) and nonprofits serving low-income people. Yet, when we dug into the data there were clear gaps. We needed to do more.
Some first steps included even more intentional outreach and grant awards to under-served organizations and communities region-wide. Our staff and board participated in DEI learnings around cultural awareness, bias, and historical inequities. We launched an Indigenous-led design process for what became the Maada’ooking program, adjusted board recruitment and hiring practices, crafted a Land Acknowledgement and updated our service area language to be more accurate and inclusive.
In 2019, we began hosting the Northland Small Business Development Center with a team of consultants who bring more eyes, ears, and feet on the ground in rural communities across our region.
Thanks to many generous and patient partners, advisors, and colleagues, we continue to learn and adapt. Belonging is now one of our grant priorities and a lens through which we look at all we do. Here are some of our Belonging-centered outcomes.
GRANTMAKING
Intentionally increasing grantmaking to under-resourced communities in our region, which has led to a 15% increase in grants to rural communities in all corners of the region and a tripling of our funding to BIPOC-led organizations, Tribal Nations, and Indigenous individuals.
Strengthening equity-centered community and leadership capacity as a partner/supporter for the Welcoming Community program led by Northspan with rural community members; setting aside special funds to award multi-year Systems Change Grants; and bolstering support for Indian Education professionals.
BUSINESS SERVICES
Expanding lending and technical assistance for businesses owned by women, veterans, people with handicaps, people with low incomes, and BIPOC-owned businesses, working with the Northland SBDC, Tribal Nation leaders, BIPOC-led organizations, and other economic development partners.
Soon launching a micro-lending program to help BIPOC and other emerging entrepreneurs get no-interest business loans of $1,000-$15,000.
PROGRAMS
Offering culturally specific and DEI-focused training at low or no cost to hundreds of professionals who work with young children and families in our region.
Academic, activist and artist Lilla Watson is credited with saying, “If you have come here to help me you are wasting your time, but if you have come because your liberation is bound up with mine, then let us work together.”
Belonging is not just a word for us at the Northland Foundation. It’s a guidepost to shape decisions, strategies, and directions. It’s also a mirror to look at ourselves; listen, learn, and unlearn; and improve how we show up for people and communities in this region.
It is in all our interest to focus on making sure each and every person who lives in the Northland feels like they belong. We hope you will join us in building up belonging!
Helping kids cope, and flourish, through the pandemic
Grantee Spotlight: Boys and Girls Clubs of Grand Rapids and Greenway
Nearly 400,000 people live in our region and almost 63,000 of them are under age 18. Each one has been affected in some way by the upheaval of COVID-19.
How many times have you heard it said that kids are resilient? Adults may be tempted to think children and youth can easily shake off the mash-up of stressors caused by the pandemic. In truth, adverse experiences can carve deep trauma-response pathways into developing brains.
The great news is there are scores of people and programs across Northeast Minnesota dedicated to helping kids cope and even thrive. The Boys and Girls Clubs of Grand Rapids and Greenway (BGC) is one.
“We want kids to know we will be here”
The BGC met the COVID curveball with creativity and firm commitment.
During the first chaotic days and weeks of the pandemic, Area Director Lori Kangas-Olson and her staff gathered and agreed: We have to be that positive, consistent face and place to be. No matter what’s happening with school closings or other challenges, we want kids to know we will be here.
In March 2020, like so many organizations, the clubs had to shut down but re-opened in June as an essential service. School closures meant shuffling sites. In Grand Rapids, the club operated in an old school building no longer used for classes. In Greenway, temporary space was found in a church building just a block from the high school.
“We opened our doors to all K-12 students who needed a place to be during the day.”
Lori Kangas-Olson, Area Director, Boys and Girls Clubs of Grand Rapids and Greenway
Membership swelled to 590 students across both sites, a full 10 percent of all students in the districts. Between rent and utilities, longer hours, more programming, and hiring extra staff, the budget strain was real. Membership fees are just $10 per year, per family, but no-one is turned away for inability to pay. A $35,000 Northland Foundation grant for general operating support – flexible dollars to cover whatever needed covering – eased the financial load.
“Northland Foundation support was really important to be able to stay operational and serve the big increase in kids during the pandemic,” Kangas-Olson said.
“There is still underlying anxiety”
How are things today? “We see kids needing more support academically and emotionally. There is still underlying anxiety,” said Kangas-Olson. “Every time someone gets the sniffles, it can cause alarm. Some kids are doing really well. The routine is back, although the energy and interaction aren’t quite the same as before the pandemic, at least not yet.”
Support for social-emotional growth, a club cornerstone, has been “amped up” with increased staff training in Adverse Childhood Experiences and partnerships with behavioral health resources. BGC has not only been a place for schoolwork but also to access counseling, both in-person and virtual, filling a big need for children, youth, and families.
BGC’s steady presence and focus on delivering high-quality programming has kept kids engaged and club numbers high. Kangas-Olson shares that more families discovered the Boys and Girls Clubs during the pandemic and are choosing to stay with it.
Northeast Minnesota is home to many, many stories like that of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Grand Rapids and Greenway – solid community resources that do not blink in the face of unexpected hurdles but instead find a way forward.
“Every young person now has an Adverse Childhood Experience called the pandemic,” said Tony Sertich, President of the Northland Foundation. “Adding to the number of caring adults and peers in their lives can help offset the negative effects of the challenges they have had to shoulder.”
“We celebrate and support the educators, counselors, care providers, and out-of-school-time program teams in our rural communities and Native nations who are weaving that critical safety net for kids.,” added Sertich.
