Boreal Waters Community Foundation connects generosity with possibility to support bold ideas, local leadership, and long-term solutions across northeastern Minnesota and northwestern Wisconsin, helping communities thrive and ensuring everyone has the opportunity to thrive.
A defining feature of Duluth-superior Area Community Foundation’s recent giving is its use of community funds to back local, place-based work across northeastern Minnesota and northwestern Wisconsin. The foundation’s public grantmaking shows a mix of larger program-support awards and targeted funds for education, human services, community development, and environmental conservation. It also supports multi-year and multi-purpose community opportunity funding, alongside smaller named funds for narrowly defined needs. One of the largest recent awards went to Cloquet Educational Foundation for program support, while Chum in Duluth received a substantial human-services grant. The foundation also made a major grant to the University of Minnesota Foundation, reflecting its interest in education-linked support and community benefit. Other recent awards reached organizations working on housing, youth services, and economic development in Duluth, Grand Marais, Ashland, and other communities in its service area. Its grant list includes both broad community investments and more specific initiatives, such as support for belonging, transformation, biodiversity, and educational opportunity. That mix shows a funder that combines regional responsiveness with themed grantmaking, often through programs designed for local nonprofits and community partners.
Education appears in several forms, from school and scholarship support to youth enrichment. Recent grants include $85,118 to Duluth Children’s Museum Inc for education and $79,069 to Marshall School for education. Housing and economic opportunity also show up repeatedly. The foundation gave $94,726 to One Roof Community Housing for human services and $92,500 to Family Freedom Center for community economic development. Environmental and conservation work is another clear strand. Through its Biodiversity Fund, the foundation supports habitat preservation, restoration, species and ecosystem protection, environmental change adaptation, research, and education in the Duluth-Superior region. Human services remain a major part of the portfolio. A 2025 grant of $256,361 to Chum was categorized as human services, alongside support for organizations serving basic needs, advocacy, and community care.
$4.2M
$118M
$6.4M
$7.1M
Most grants fall between $8K and $23K, with a median of $11K.
25th Percentile
$8K
Median
$11K
75th Percentile
$23K
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Typical awards are modest to mid-sized rather than large institutional grants: the p25 is $8,008, the median is $11,454, and the p75 is $23,400. That said, recent grantmaking also includes higher-dollar program and operating awards, especially through community funds and themed initiatives. The foundation is a public charity, not a donor-advised fund, and it does not fund individuals or make program-related investments. Several recipient organizations appear in multiple years, including Chum, University of Minnesota Foundation, Head of the Lakes United Way, Marshall School, and YWCA of Duluth, which suggests recurring relationships rather than one-off awards. Many grants are listed as program support, unrestricted-style support, or capital/campaign support.
Most grants land in Minnesota, with 78% of awards going to recipients in the HQ state. Wisconsin is the top state by grant count overall, reflecting the foundation’s cross-border regional scope. Duluth appears often in the recent-grants list, alongside Cloquet, Grand Marais, Two Harbors, Minneapolis, and Ashland. On the Wisconsin side, recent awards reached Ashland and Odanah. The grant distribution is entirely domestic: all 327 recorded grants went to U.S. recipients.
The foundation supports nonprofits and community organizations working in education, environment and conservation, human services, arts and culture, housing and economic opportunity, and scholarships or higher education. Its active programs also point to work in belonging, transformation, biodiversity, animal-assisted therapy, and local community needs.
Yes, several active programs accept unsolicited requests, including the Community Opportunity Fund, Biodiversity Fund, Area of Interest Grants, and the Regional Affiliate Community Funds. The Animal-Assisted Therapy Fund is listed as not accepting unsolicited requests.
Across the foundation’s grantmaking, the p25 is $8,008, the median is $11,454, and the p75 is $23,400. Some active programs are set much higher, such as Community Opportunity Fund grants at $25,000–$50,000 and the 2026 Transformation cycle at $0–$100,000.
Yes. Several organizations appear more than once in the recent-grants list, including Chum, University of Minnesota Foundation, Head of the Lakes United Way, Marshall School, and YWCA of Duluth. That pattern suggests ongoing relationships rather than isolated awards.
Its giving is regional, with strong concentration in Minnesota and a significant share in northwestern Wisconsin. Active programs focus on northeastern Minnesota, northwestern Wisconsin, and the Boreal Waters Community Foundation service area, while local affiliate funds serve places such as Cook County, Eveleth, and the Two Harbors area.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Current and upcoming funding from Duluth-Superior Area Community Foundation that your nonprofit may be able to apply for.
Who can apply: Projects should align with the Unity Fund's priorities and benefit African Heritage communities in the region. Specific eligibility requirements are provided through the grant guidelines.
Deadline: Juneteenth 2027 applications are due March 1, 2027; other aligned projects are accepted on a rolling basis.
Who can apply: Must serve the local affiliate area; follow affiliate-specific guidelines.
Deadline: Apply January 4 – February 1, 2027.
Who can apply: Applicants must align with one of the participating regional affiliate communities and follow the guidance of the local advisory board.
Deadline: Apply January 4 – February 1, 2027
Who can apply: Must serve the local affiliate area; follow affiliate-specific guidelines.
Deadline: Apply January 4 – February 1, 2027.
Who can apply: Must serve the local affiliate area; follow affiliate-specific guidelines.
Deadline: Apply January 4 – February 1, 2027.
Who can apply: Organizations must provide services to communities within the Cook County Community Fund service area, including the Grand Portage Band of Lake Superior Chippewa/Gichi Onigaming.
Deadline: The 2027 spring affiliate grant cycle is January 4-February 1, 2027.
Who can apply: The opportunity is available to Duluth Public Schools staff for work benefiting students within ISD #709.
Deadline: Applications are due February 22, 2027.
Who can apply: Projects must support biodiversity through conservation, preservation, restoration, research, or education in the Duluth-Superior region.
Deadline: Submit Letter of Intent February 8 – March 8, 2027
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Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CHUM | DULUTH, MN | $256,361 | 2025 | HUMAN SERVICES |
| UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA FOUNDATION | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $243,678 | 2025 | HUMAN SERVICES |
| YWCA OF DULUTH | DULUTH, MN | $152,539 | 2025 | COMM ECON DEV |
| DIVINE KONNECTIONS INC | DULUTH, MN | $115,000 | 2025 | HUMAN SERVICES |
| BAD RIVER BAND OF LAKE SUPERIOR TRIBE OF CHIPPEWA INDIANS | ODANAH, WI | $103,943 | 2025 | COMM ECON DEV |
| CONGREGATIONS CARING FOR CREATION DBA MINNESOTA INTERFAITH POWER & LIGHT | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $100,000 | 2025 | COMM ECON DEV |
| ONE ROOF COMMUNITY HOUSING | DULUTH, MN | $94,726 | 2025 | HUMAN SERVICES |
| FAMILY FREEDOM CENTER | DULUTH, MN | $92,500 | 2025 | COMM ECON DEV |
| DULUTH CHILDREN'S MUSEUM INC | DULUTH, MN | $85,118 | 2025 | EDUCATION |
| NORTHWOODS WOMEN INC DBA NEW DAY ADVOCACY CENTER | ASHLAND, WI | $79,575 | 2025 | HUMAN SERVICES |
| MARSHALL SCHOOL | DULUTH, MN | $79,069 | 2025 | EDUCATION |
| PLANNED PARENTHOOD MINNESOTA NORTH DAKOTA SOUTH DAKOTA (PPMNS) | ST PAUL, MN | $70,572 | 2025 | HUMAN SERVICES |
| DULUTH AREA CHAMBER FOUNDATION | DULUTH, MN | $70,000 | 2025 | COMM ECON DEV |
| AMERICAN RED CROSS SERVING NORTHERN MINNESOTA | DULUTH, MN | $62,305 | 2025 | HUMAN SERVICES |
| 23RD VETERAN | DULUTH, MN | $62,000 | 2025 | HUMAN SERVICES |
| MAJI YA CHAI LAND SANCTUARY | TWO HARBORS, MN | $60,000 | 2025 | COMM ECON DEV |
| DAMIANO OF DULUTH INC | DULUTH, MN | $57,968 | 2025 | HUMAN SERVICES |
| COMMUNITY ACTION DULUTH | DULUTH, MN | $57,000 | 2025 | COMM ECON DEV |
| MEN AS PEACEMAKERS | DULUTH, MN | $53,000 | 2025 | EDUCATION |
| FRIENDS OF THE FINLAND COMMUNITY | FINLAND, MN | $52,000 | 2025 | COMM ECON DEV |
| LOCAL INITIATIVES SUPPORT CORPORATION (LISC) | DULUTH, MN | $50,400 | 2025 | COMM ECON DEV |
| OUTFRONT MINNESOTA COMMUNITY SERVICES | SAINT PAUL, MN | $50,000 | 2025 | HUMAN SERVICES |
| ASHLAND COUNTY | ASHLAND, WI | $50,000 | 2025 | HUMAN SERVICES |
| HERMANTOWN COMMUNITY CHURCH | HERMANTOWN, MN | $50,000 | 2025 | HUMAN SERVICES |
| LINCOLN PARENT TEACHER ORGANIZATION | HIBBING, MN | $50,000 | 2025 | EDUCATION |
| NATIVE AMERICAN EDUCATIONAL TECHNOLOGIES INC | HAYWARD, WI | $49,250 | 2025 | COMM ECON DEV |
| DULUTH CENTER FOR WOMEN AND CHILDREN | DULUTH, MN | $49,130 | 2025 | COMM ECON DEV |
| MENTOR NORTH | DULUTH, MN | $47,892 | 2025 | HUMAN SERVICES |
| MINNESOTA CENTER FOR EMPLOYEE OWNERSHIP | ST CLOUD, MN | $45,500 | 2025 | COMM ECON DEV |
| LIGHTHOUSE CENTER FOR VITAL LIVING | DULUTH, MN | $44,646 | 2025 | HUMAN SERVICES |
| LANDMARK CONSERVANCY INC | MENOMONIE, WI | $43,464 | 2025 | ENVIRONMENT |
| LIFE HOUSE INC | DULUTH, MN | $40,385 | 2025 | COMM ECON DEV |
| HEALTHY ALLIANCES MATTER FOR ALL DBA HEALTH EQUITY NORTHLAND | DULUTH, MN | $40,000 | 2025 | COMM ECON DEV |
| GIRL SCOUTS OF MINNESOTA AND WISCONSIN LAKES AND PINES | WAITE PARK, MN | $38,572 | 2025 | EDUCATION |
| ISD #709 - DULUTH PUBLIC SCHOOLS | DULUTH, MN | $37,526 | 2025 | EDUCATION |
| ANIMAL ALLIES HUMANE SOCIETY | DULUTH, MN | $36,500 | 2025 | ENVIRONMENT |
| FREE WISCONSIN LLC | ASHLAND, WI | $35,000 | 2025 | HUMAN SERVICES |
| THE AUXILIA INITIATIVE INC | WASHBURN, WI | $35,000 | 2025 | HUMAN SERVICES |
| FINLAND CHILDREN IN NATURE GROUP | FINLAND, MN | $35,000 | 2025 | HUMAN SERVICES |
| PROJECT RENEWAL OF DAVENPORT | DAVENPORT, IA | $35,000 | 2025 | HUMAN SERVICES |
| DULUTH PLAYHOUSE | DULUTH, MN | $33,197 | 2025 | ARTS |
| MILLER-DWAN FOUNDATION | DULUTH, MN | $32,700 | 2025 | HUMAN SERVICES |
| UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN-SUPERIOR ALUMNI AND FRIENDS FOUNDATION INC | SUPERIOR, WI | $31,300 | 2025 | ENVIRONMENT |
| MINNESOTA ENVIRONMENTAL PARTNERSHIP | ST PAUL, MN | $31,000 | 2025 | ENVIRONMENT |
| MINNESOTA LAND TRUST | SAINT PAUL, MN | $30,000 | 2025 | ENVIRONMENT |
| TOURIST CENTER SENIOR CITIZENS INC | HIBBING, MN | $28,377 | 2025 | HUMAN SERVICES |
| CAST OUTDOOR ADVENTURES INC | ELY, MN | $27,000 | 2025 | HUMAN SERVICES |
| COLLEGE OF ST SCHOLASTICA INC | DULUTH, MN | $27,000 | 2025 | EDUCATION |
| ISD #99 - ESKO PUBLIC SCHOOLS | ESKO, MN | $25,874 | 2025 | EDUCATION |
| NORTHWEST WISCONSIN WORKFORCE INVESTMENT BOARD | ASHLAND, WI | $25,591 | 2025 | COMM ECON DEV |
BAD RIVER BAND OF LAKE SUPERIOR TRIBE OF CHIPPEWA INDIANS
$103,943COMM ECON DEV
COMM ECON DEV
NORTHWOODS WOMEN INC DBA NEW DAY ADVOCACY CENTER
$79,575HUMAN SERVICES
MARSHALL SCHOOL
$79,069EDUCATION
DULUTH AREA CHAMBER FOUNDATION
$70,000COMM ECON DEV
23RD VETERAN
$62,000HUMAN SERVICES
MAJI YA CHAI LAND SANCTUARY
$60,000COMM ECON DEV
ASHLAND COUNTY
$50,000HUMAN SERVICES
HERMANTOWN COMMUNITY CHURCH
$50,000HUMAN SERVICES
LINCOLN PARENT TEACHER ORGANIZATION
$50,000EDUCATION
NATIVE AMERICAN EDUCATIONAL TECHNOLOGIES INC
$49,250COMM ECON DEV
DULUTH CENTER FOR WOMEN AND CHILDREN
$49,130COMM ECON DEV
MINNESOTA CENTER FOR EMPLOYEE OWNERSHIP
$45,500COMM ECON DEV
LIGHTHOUSE CENTER FOR VITAL LIVING
$44,646HUMAN SERVICES
LANDMARK CONSERVANCY INC
$43,464ENVIRONMENT
HEALTHY ALLIANCES MATTER FOR ALL DBA HEALTH EQUITY NORTHLAND
$40,000COMM ECON DEV
GIRL SCOUTS OF MINNESOTA AND WISCONSIN LAKES AND PINES
$38,572EDUCATION
ISD #709 - DULUTH PUBLIC SCHOOLS
$37,526EDUCATION
ANIMAL ALLIES HUMANE SOCIETY
$36,500ENVIRONMENT
FREE WISCONSIN LLC
$35,000HUMAN SERVICES
THE AUXILIA INITIATIVE INC
$35,000HUMAN SERVICES
FINLAND CHILDREN IN NATURE GROUP
$35,000HUMAN SERVICES
DULUTH PLAYHOUSE
$33,197ARTS
ENVIRONMENT
TOURIST CENTER SENIOR CITIZENS INC
$28,377HUMAN SERVICES
CAST OUTDOOR ADVENTURES INC
$27,000HUMAN SERVICES
ISD #99 - ESKO PUBLIC SCHOOLS
$25,874EDUCATION
NORTHWEST WISCONSIN WORKFORCE INVESTMENT BOARD
$25,591COMM ECON DEV