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    5. United Way of 1000 Lakes
    United Way of 1000 Lakes logo

    United Way of 1000 Lakes

    ActivePhilanthropy & Voluntarism
    GRAND RAPIDS, MNWebsite2189997570

    About United Way of 1000 Lakes

    United Way’s mission is to improve lives by mobilizing the caring power of Itasca-area communities. Our vision is an equitable Itasca Area where all people have the opportunities and resources needed to thrive.

    Focus Areas

    EducationIncome & Basic Needs / Financial StabilityHealth & Well-beingEmergency Food & Shelter (EFSP)Volunteer engagement and capacity buildingSmall community grants (Kindness / Acts of Kindness Grants)Community response / disaster relief

    Who They Fund

    unspecified / not stated

    Funding Style

    unspecified / general charitable supportflexible/unrestricted funding (not specified)

    About United Way of 1000 Lakes

    United Way of 1000 Lakes centers its giving on Itasca-area community needs, and its active grant programs show a mix of multi-year community investments, emergency food and shelter funding, and small community micro-grants. In 2024, the largest recent award in the data was $20,000 to Boys & Girls Clubs of Northland, followed by several $15,000 grants to local organizations serving health, housing, and family-support needs. The foundation’s Community Impact Grants use a two-generation approach and focus on Education, Health, and Family Financial Stability, while its emergency-response work includes the Community Response Fund and administration of EFSP allocations for local food and shelter providers. It also runs Kindness Grants for projects up to $500, showing that the grantmaking spans both larger operating support and very small community-level awards. Recent recipients include Itasca County Family YMCA, Project Care Free Clinic, Itasca County Habitat for Humanity, and Support Within Reach, all of which received support for charitable purposes in 2024.

    What United Way of 1000 Lakes Funds

    Education is one of the foundation’s core funding areas through Community Impact Grants, which are described as multi-year community investments for Education, Health, and Family Financial Stability. In the recent grants list, Project Read received $7,500 in 2024. Health and family-support work appears in grants such as $15,000 to Project Care Free Clinic and $10,000 to Grace House. The foundation also supports housing and basic needs, including $15,000 to Itasca County Habitat for Humanity and $10,000 to Advocates for Family Peace. Its emergency-response programs extend that pattern through EFSP and community recovery funding tied to food, shelter, utilities, childcare, housing, and transportation.

    How United Way of 1000 Lakes Gives

    Typical grants cluster tightly around a small set of award sizes: the 25th percentile is $10,000, the median is $10,000, and the 75th percentile is $15,000. One exception in the recent grants list is a $20,000 award, but most listed grants sit at or near the median. The foundation gives local, with all recent recipient-country data in the US and all listed grants going to Minnesota organizations. Its structure includes both direct grants and facilitated distribution of federal EFSP dollars through a local board. The data also shows recurring program lines such as Community Impact Grants, EFSP, and community response funds.

    Financial Snapshot

    Annual Giving

    $121K

    Total Assets

    $327K

    Total Revenue

    $329K

    Total Expenses

    $429K

    Typical Grant Size

    Most grants fall between $10K and $15K, with a median of $10K.

    25th Percentile

    $10K

    Median

    $10K

    75th Percentile

    $15K

    Geographic Reach

    Local1 state funded
    Funding intensity
    Low
    High
    Headquarters

    Leadership

    KIMBERLY BRINK SMITH

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    Privacy PolicyTerms of ServiceSystem Status
    EIN (Tax ID): 41-6042589Latest Form 990: 2026Total assets: $327K4 filings on recordFind their full 990 filing →
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    broad-based philanthropy (no targeted strategy indicated)

    Topics

    unspecified charitable purposesno specific programmatic focus providedgeneral public benefit activities

    Where United Way of 1000 Lakes Makes Grants

    Grantmaking is concentrated in Minnesota, with 100% of grants in the state. Grand Rapids appears repeatedly as the recipient city, including awards to Boys & Girls Clubs of Northland, Itasca County Family YMCA, Project Care Free Clinic, Itasca County Habitat for Humanity, Grace House, Support Within Reach, Advocates for Family Peace, Project Read, and First Call. Other Minnesota recipients include Deer River through Smart North Deer River Tech Hub and Cass Lake through Boys & Girls Club Leech Lake Area. The foundation’s active programs are framed around Itasca County and the greater Itasca area.

    Frequently Asked Questions About United Way of 1000 Lakes

    What kinds of programs does United Way of 1000 Lakes fund?

    Its active programs include Community Impact Grants for Education, Health, and Family Financial Stability; EFSP allocations for food and shelter; a Community Response Fund for urgent needs; and Kindness Grants for small community projects. Recent grants also went to organizations working on youth services, health care access, housing, and family peace.

    What is the typical grant size?

    The typical award is $10,000: the 25th percentile, median, and a large share of recent grants all sit at that level. The 75th percentile is $15,000, and the recent list also includes a $20,000 grant.

    Where does the foundation give?

    Its giving is local and entirely in Minnesota. The recipient-country distribution is 100% US, and the state distribution shows all grants going to Minnesota organizations, with many recipients in Grand Rapids and others in Deer River and Cass Lake.

    Are there small grant opportunities?

    Yes. The Kindness Grants program offers micro-grants of up to $500 for small-scale community projects that promote kindness, inclusion, and local engagement. The data also says this program accepts unsolicited applications.

    Does the foundation support emergency needs?

    Yes. It administers EFSP funding for emergency food and shelter providers and also operates community response funding for urgent needs. Those programs are tied to food security, shelter, supportive services, healthcare access, childcare, housing, utilities, employment, and transportation.

    Latest 990 Filing

    2026

    Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2026.

    Open Grant Opportunities

    Current and upcoming funding from United Way of 1000 Lakes that your nonprofit may be able to apply for.

    Open nowRolling / open intakeAward: Up to $500

    Kindness Grants (Acts of Kindness Grants / Acts of Kindness Week micro-grants)

    Community-level kindness projectsEquity, inclusion, and community engagementLocal small-scale service projects

    Who can apply: Projects must benefit Itasca County; applicants can be individuals, community groups, schools, or organizations; nonprofit status not required. Applicants under 18 must provide adult contact information.

    Deadline: Applications accepted year-round (rolling).

    View & apply
    Open nowRolling / open intake

    Community Response Fund (COVID-19 / Emergency Response)

    Emergency responseBasic needsHealth+1 more

    Who can apply: Funds are directed to services addressing immediate community needs arising from the emergency; distribution decisions typically made by United Way based on needs assessment. Specific eligibility for grant requests/requests for assistance are defined on the Community Response Fund page.

    View & apply

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    Deadlines and eligibility are summarized from public sources and may change — always confirm the details on the funder's official application page before applying.

    Recent Grants

    Most recent grants reported to the IRS.

    RecipientLocationAmountYearPurpose
    SMART NORTHMINNEAPOLIS, MN$20,0002026CHARITABLE PURPOSES
    ITASCA COUNTY FAMILY YMCAGRAND RAPIDS, MN$15,0002026CHARITABLE PURPOSES
    ITASCA COUNTY HABITAT FOR HUMANITYGRAND RAPIDS, MN$15,0002026CHARITABLE PURPOSES
    GRACE HOUSEGRAND RAPIDS, MN$10,0002026CHARITABLE PURPOSES
    ITASCA YOUTH FOR CHRISTGRAND RAPIDS, MN$10,0002026CHARITABLE PURPOSES
    ADVOCATES FOR FAMILY PEACEGRAND RAPIDS, MN$10,0002026CHARITABLE PURPOSES
    SUPPORT WITHIN REACHGRAND RAPIDS, MN$10,0002026CHARITABLE PURPOSES
    BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS OF NORTHLANDGRAND RAPIDS, MN$10,0002026CHARITABLE PURPOSES
    PROJECT READGRAND RAPIDS, MN$7,5002026CHARITABLE PURPOSES
    PROJECT CARE FREE CLINICGRAND RAPIDS, MN$7,5002026CHARITABLE PURPOSES
    FIRST CALLGRAND RAPIDS, MN$5,5002026CHARITABLE PURPOSES
    SMART NORTH DEER RIVER TECH HUBMINNEAPOLIS, MN$22,5002025CHARITABLE PURPOSES
    ITASCA AREA SCHOOLS COLLABORATIVEGRAND RAPIDS, MN$15,0002025CHARITABLE PURPOSES
    BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS OF NORTHLANDGRAND RAPIDS, MN$15,0002025CHARITABLE PURPOSES
    PROJECT CARE FREE CLINICGRAND RAPIDS, MN$7,5002025CHARITABLE PURPOSES
    ITASCA COUNTY HABITAT FOR HUMANITYGRAND RAPIDS, MN$7,5002025CHARITABLE PURPOSES
    ITASCA COUNTY FAMILY YMCAGRAND RAPIDS, MN$7,5002025CHARITABLE PURPOSES
    BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS OF NORTHLANDGRAND RAPIDS, MN$20,0002024CHARITABLE PURPOSES
    ITASCA COUNTY FAMILY YMCAGRAND RAPIDS, MN$15,0002024CHARITABLE PURPOSES
    SMART NORTH DEER RIVER TECH HUBMINNEAPOLIS, MN$15,0002024CHARITABLE PURPOSES
    PROJECT CARE FREE CLINICGRAND RAPIDS, MN$15,0002024CHARITABLE PURPOSES
    ITASCA COUNTY HABITAT FOR HUMANITYGRAND RAPIDS, MN$15,0002024CHARITABLE PURPOSES
    ITASCA YOUTH FOR CHRISTGRAND RAPIDS, MN$10,0002024CHARITABLE PURPOSES
    BOYS & GIRLS CLUB LEECH LAKE AREACASS LAKE, MN$10,0002024CHARITABLE PURPOSES
    GRACE HOUSEGRAND RAPIDS, MN$10,0002024CHARITABLE PURPOSES
    SUPPORT WITHIN REACHGRAND RAPIDS, MN$10,0002024CHARITABLE PURPOSES
    ADVOCATES FOR FAMILY PEACEGRAND RAPIDS, MN$10,0002024CHARITABLE PURPOSES
    PROJECT READGRAND RAPIDS, MN$7,5002024CHARITABLE PURPOSES
    FIRST CALLGRAND RAPIDS, MN$5,5002024CHARITABLE PURPOSES
    MN ALLIANCE WITH YOUTHSAINT PAUL, MN$9,0002023CHARITABLE PURPOSE

    SMART NORTH

    $20,000
    MINNEAPOLIS, MN2026

    CHARITABLE PURPOSES

    ITASCA COUNTY FAMILY YMCA

    $15,000
    GRAND RAPIDS, MN2026

    CHARITABLE PURPOSES

    ITASCA COUNTY HABITAT FOR HUMANITY

    $15,000
    GRAND RAPIDS, MN2026

    CHARITABLE PURPOSES

    GRACE HOUSE

    $10,000
    GRAND RAPIDS, MN2026

    CHARITABLE PURPOSES

    ITASCA YOUTH FOR CHRIST

    $10,000
    GRAND RAPIDS, MN2026

    CHARITABLE PURPOSES

    ADVOCATES FOR FAMILY PEACE

    $10,000
    GRAND RAPIDS, MN
    2026

    CHARITABLE PURPOSES

    SUPPORT WITHIN REACH

    $10,000
    GRAND RAPIDS, MN2026

    CHARITABLE PURPOSES

    BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS OF NORTHLAND

    $10,000
    GRAND RAPIDS, MN2026

    CHARITABLE PURPOSES

    PROJECT READ

    $7,500
    GRAND RAPIDS, MN2026

    CHARITABLE PURPOSES

    PROJECT CARE FREE CLINIC

    $7,500
    GRAND RAPIDS, MN2026

    CHARITABLE PURPOSES

    FIRST CALL

    $5,500
    GRAND RAPIDS, MN2026

    CHARITABLE PURPOSES

    SMART NORTH DEER RIVER TECH HUB

    $22,500
    MINNEAPOLIS, MN2025

    CHARITABLE PURPOSES

    ITASCA AREA SCHOOLS COLLABORATIVE

    $15,000
    GRAND RAPIDS, MN2025

    CHARITABLE PURPOSES

    BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS OF NORTHLAND

    $15,000
    GRAND RAPIDS, MN2025

    CHARITABLE PURPOSES

    PROJECT CARE FREE CLINIC

    $7,500
    GRAND RAPIDS, MN2025

    CHARITABLE PURPOSES

    ITASCA COUNTY HABITAT FOR HUMANITY

    $7,500
    GRAND RAPIDS, MN2025

    CHARITABLE PURPOSES

    ITASCA COUNTY FAMILY YMCA

    $7,500
    GRAND RAPIDS, MN2025

    CHARITABLE PURPOSES

    BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS OF NORTHLAND

    $20,000
    GRAND RAPIDS, MN2024

    CHARITABLE PURPOSES

    ITASCA COUNTY FAMILY YMCA

    $15,000
    GRAND RAPIDS, MN2024

    CHARITABLE PURPOSES

    SMART NORTH DEER RIVER TECH HUB

    $15,000
    MINNEAPOLIS, MN2024

    CHARITABLE PURPOSES

    PROJECT CARE FREE CLINIC

    $15,000
    GRAND RAPIDS, MN2024

    CHARITABLE PURPOSES

    ITASCA COUNTY HABITAT FOR HUMANITY

    $15,000
    GRAND RAPIDS, MN2024

    CHARITABLE PURPOSES

    ITASCA YOUTH FOR CHRIST

    $10,000
    GRAND RAPIDS, MN2024

    CHARITABLE PURPOSES

    BOYS & GIRLS CLUB LEECH LAKE AREA

    $10,000
    CASS LAKE, MN2024

    CHARITABLE PURPOSES

    GRACE HOUSE

    $10,000
    GRAND RAPIDS, MN2024

    CHARITABLE PURPOSES

    SUPPORT WITHIN REACH

    $10,000
    GRAND RAPIDS, MN2024

    CHARITABLE PURPOSES

    ADVOCATES FOR FAMILY PEACE

    $10,000
    GRAND RAPIDS, MN2024

    CHARITABLE PURPOSES

    PROJECT READ

    $7,500
    GRAND RAPIDS, MN2024

    CHARITABLE PURPOSES

    FIRST CALL

    $5,500
    GRAND RAPIDS, MN2024

    CHARITABLE PURPOSES

    MN ALLIANCE WITH YOUTH

    $9,000
    SAINT PAUL, MN2023

    CHARITABLE PURPOSE