Recent grants
Quarterly, Maada’ookiing, and Youth In Philanthropy grant funding awarded July through October 2025
More than $725,000 in quarterly grants awarded
The Northland Foundation awarded 29 grants totaling $728,750 through its Quarterly Grant program during July, August, and September. A large share of the grants went to organizations addressing food insecurity in communities throughout northeastern Minnesota, including food banks, food shelves, and other food distribution programs.
“Food insecurity is a reality in this region. More people are facing empty cupboards and skipping meals. Community-based resources are working hard, and we have focused more funding in that direction, but there is still a great need,” stated Michelle Ufford, Vice President of Grantmaking at the foundation.
“Food shelves, pantries, meal programs, and shelters in our local communities are seeing big upticks in clients. In the spirit of the season, and as cold weather adds more stress to households struggling to afford food, I would encourage those who can, to donate or volunteer,” Ufford said.
Quarterly grants from the foundation typically are awarded to nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations, Tribal nations, and local governmental entities such as school districts.
Find the list of all July through September, 2025, Quarterly grants HERE.
Summer and Fall 2025 Maada’ookiing grants
The Northland Foundation is pleased to share that 14 individuals were awarded $66,500 in Maada’ookiing grants this past summer which include awards made through a special “pop-up” Maada’ookiing grant opportunity that was announced in the spring. Another six grants totaling $29,450 were awarded in the fall grantmaking round, for a total of $95,950 in recent months.
“The Maada’ookiing Advisory Board is proud to support grant recipients knowing that these individuals and small groups are creating such a resounding impact in the region,” stated Michelle Ufford, Vice President of Grantmaking. “Since there was additional funding available as we moved toward summer, they decided to offer an extra round in July. We could not be more pleased to see almost $30,000 extra being put to work in communities by Native American changemakers.”
Maada’ookiing (“the distribution” in Ojibwe) is a Native American-led program of the Northland Foundation. Grant funding up to $5,000 is offered three times per year to Tribal citizens, descendants, or those who have kinship ties or affiliation to Native American communities within the foundation’s geographic region. Maada’ookiing grants are considered and approved by the Maada’ookiing Advisory Board.
The next deadline to apply for a Maada’ookiing grant is February 15, 2026. Find information about the program and application on the Northland Foundation’s website under Grant Funding at https://northlandfdn.org/grant-funding/maadaookiing-grants/.
Summer and Fall Maada’ookiing grants are listed HERE.
Fall 2025 Youth In Philanthropy grants for children-and-youth led projects
The Northland Foundation and the young people serving on its Youth In Philanthropy Program Board awarded 11 grants totaling $9,105 in their fall funding round to projects within the geographic area that the foundation serves.
Middle and high school students appointed to serve on the Youth In Philanthropy Board make real-world grantmaking decisions with guidance from volunteer adult mentors. This year’s board includes students from Aitkin, Barnum, Cherry, Cloquet, Duluth, Hermantown, Superior, and Two Harbors.
Grants range up to $1000 each for school and community projects within northeast Minnesota communities or the border community of Superior, Wisconsin. Children and youth must complete the grant application and carry out the project with the support of an adult advisor.
There are three grant rounds per year: October, January, and April. The next application deadline is April 1, 2026. Learn more and apply on our website.
Find the list of Fall 2026 Youth In Philanthropy grants HERE.