The Northland Foundation awarded 22 grants totaling $687,000 through its Quarterly Grant program for the October through December 2025 quarter. Four times per year, the Northland Foundation awards funding of $10,000 or more to nonprofit organizations and government entities working within its region. The grants are generally made to nonprofit 501(c) (3) organizations, Tribal nations, and local government entities such as school districts.
Included among the grants were $100,000 awarded within the “Aging” focus area of the foundation’s Basic Needs priority area. The funding will support organizations in Cook, Aitkin, St. Louis, and Koochiching Counties that provide services to help older adults age well in their homes and communities.
In December, the McKnight Foundation, through its Good Neighbor Grants program, directed $1 million to 14 organizations statewide, including $100,000 each to the Northland Foundation. This unexpected funding came with the stipulation that it would support food and other direct assistance in our rural region, within the month. Northland, in turn, awarded $50,000 each to the United Way of Northeastern Minnesota and to Second Harvest Northland.
“McKnight’s Good Neighbor grant support is deeply appreciated. We were able to quickly deploy this generous funding to two trusted, longtime grantees who are on the front lines of food distribution in our rural northeastern Minnesota communities and working to keep up with increased need for their services,” said Tony Sertich, Northland Foundation President.
Grants supporting services and programming that address human needs essential to overall well-being, such as food security, housing, aging, homeless services, and more, include:
Northwoods Food Project, Grand Marais: $30,000
To support food security and increase access to local food for residents of Cook County.
The Project works to build a sustainable, resilient local food system across Cook County. Established in 2008, it acts as a central hub connecting local farmers, home gardeners, and consumers to ensure healthy, local food is accessible to everyone in the community.
Cook County Council on Aging, Grand Marais: $22,000
To support services that enhance the quality of life for older adults and those with disabilities in Cook County.
Vital North Foundation, Grand Marais: $30,000
Formerly known as the North Shore Health Care Foundation, the grant supports services that work toward equitable health outcomes and community well-being in Cook County.
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, include: Violence Prevention Center, Grand Marais: $50,000 In support of services and advocacy for survivors of domestic and sexual violence in Lake and Cook Counties and Grand Portage.
