Press Release | May 20, 2026
Northland Foundation awards 17 quarterly grants January through March 2026
Through its Quarterly Grant program, the Northland Foundation made 17 grants totaling $592,000 in the first quarter to nonprofit organizations and community partners in northeastern Minnesota.
A significant portion of the funding was awarded to organizations working to strengthen outcomes for young children and their families, as well as programming that promotes the healthy development of youth.
“Investing in the well-being children and young people is at the heart of what we do,” said Michelle Ufford, Vice President of Grantmaking at the Northland Foundation. “From early learning programs that give our youngest community members the best possible start, to mentorship and after-school opportunities that help older youth thrive, these grants are a part of the foundation’s long-term commitment to nurturing future generations across our region.”
Among the early childhood grants, A Chance To Grow received $20,000 to continue a learning readiness program providing tools to support the healthy development of young children in childcare programs across northeastern Minnesota. Ely Public Schools received $12,000 to offer a free Pre-K Skills Program in the summer to boost kindergarten readiness for families in the Ely district.
Several grants will expand out-of-school-time opportunities and well-being support for young people across the region. Mentor North in Duluth received $45,000 to support one-on-one mentorship for youth in Duluth and neighboring communities. The Boys and Girls Club of the Northland in Hibbing received $35,000 for general operating support to sustain high-quality programming for Duluth youth, and Ely Community Resource received $35,000 for after-school programming that fosters positive development, self-esteem, and belonging for youth.
Life House in Duluth also received $40,000 for comprehensive services — including mental health, housing, and education supports — for youth in southern St. Louis County facing significant barriers to wel-lbeing.
Quarterly Grants awarded January 1 – March 31, 20256, are listed below.
BASIC NEEDS Grants for services and programming that address human needs essential to overall well-being, such as food security, housing, aging, homeless services, and more.
North St. Louis County Habitat for Humanity, Virginia: $50,000
To support the development of affordable housing across communities in northern St. Louis County.
Life House, Duluth: $40,000
For comprehensive support such as basic needs, mental health, substance use, housing, education, and employment services for youth in southern St. Louis County who are facing high barriers to whole-being health.
Arrowhead Economic Opportunity Agency, Virginia: $40,000
To support emergency shelters that provide stability, safety, and resources for individuals and families experiencing homelessness across the Iron Range.
Union Gospel Mission, Duluth: $5,000
To support the Pathways Forward initiative, in collaboration with CHUM and the Damiano Center, to better align and coordinate food access, shelter, outreach, and supportive housing in the Duluth community.
Community Partners Two Harbors Living at Home, Two Harbors: $40,000
To support services and programs that promote independent living for individuals 55 and older in the Two Harbors community.
Ely Community Health Center, Ely: $35,000
To support access to health and dental care for people without insurance in the Ely area.
23rd Veteran, Duluth: $35,000
To provide general operating support for services that address trauma and build community for veterans and first responders in St. Louis County.
YWCA of Duluth, Duluth: $50,000
To provide general operating support to YWCA Duluth’s mission to eliminate racism, empower women, and promote peace, justice, and freedom for all.
Arc Northland, Duluth: $50,000
To support person-centered services and advocacy for people with disabilities and their families in northeastern Minnesota.
BELONGING Support for projects and initiatives designed to help everyone, especially those under-served or under-represented in traditional power structures, gain full and fair access to essentials like housing, education, and employment, and generally thrive.
Ignite Empower Transform, Duluth: $40,000
To support financial empowerment of families who are Native American, Black, or other people of color living in Duluth and surrounding areas.
Transforming Families, Minneapolis: $10,000
To support advocacy and supportive services for transgender and gender-expansive youth and their families in the Duluth area.
DOMESTIC AND SEXUAL VIOLENCE AND ABUSE INTERVENTION/PREVENTION Grants supporting prevention and intervention such as shelter, advocacy, legal, and other supports in relation to domestic and family violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking.
Program for Aid to Victims of Sexual Assault, Duluth: $50,000
To provide general operating support for continuing free and confidential services to survivors of sexual assault in the Duluth area.
EARLY CHILDHOOD CARE AND EDUCATION Support for programming focused on prenatal to age 5 that nurtures the whole child, including physical, cognitive, emotional, and social development.
A Chance To Grow, Minneapolis: $20,000
To support the continued implementation of a learning readiness program for childcare programs that provides tools to support the healthy development of young children in northeastern Minnesota.
Ely Public Schools – ISD 696, Ely: $12,000
To support a Summer Pre-K Skills Program, offered free of charge, to boost kindergarten readiness for families in the Ely Public Schools District.
OUT-OF-SCHOOL-TIME SERVICES Grants supporting structured, consistent, and accessible out-of-school time educational programming and activities for broad groups of children and youth.
Ely Community Resource Inc, Ely: $35,000
To support after-school programming that fosters positive development, self-esteem, and belonging for youth in the Ely community.
Boys and Girls Club of the Northland, Hibbing: $35,000
To provide general operating support to sustain high-quality out-of-school programming for youth in Hibbing.
Mentor North, Duluth: $45,000
To support high-quality, one-on-one mentorship for youth in Duluth and neighboring communities.