ABOUT PROGRAMS LEARN Home › Programs › Grants › About Grants Search Submit Image: grand rapids About Grants Check your project's fit with our eligibility guidelines and areas of focus. Steps in our application process are at the bottom of the page. Eligibility Eligible organizations and activities are: Minnesota organizations serving, and preferably located in, rural communities of 35,000 residents or less Project has a clearly defined charitable purpose recognized by the IRS Align with Blandin Foundation’s focus areas Ineligible organizations and activities are: Projects benefiting metropolitan areas of the state (Minneapolis/St. Paul, Duluth, Moorhead, Rochester, St. Cloud, Mankato) Projects outside the state of Minnesota Religious activities Medical research Travel grants for individuals or groups Camping and athletic programs Ordinary government services Grants solely intended to influence specific legislation or a specific candidate Areas of Focus Blandin Foundation is both a responsive and strategic grantmaker. We welcome applications from current and potential grantees working to strengthen rural Minnesota communities, and concentrate our investments in three primary strategic areas of focus. Focus Area 1: Itasca County Area Vibrancy Focus Area 2: Rural Community Leadership Focus Area 3: Expand Opportunity Steps to Apply Step 1: Check for fit Review the eligibility and areas of focus sections above. Please note that Blandin Foundation grants only to organizations in the state of Minnesota serving communities of 35,000 people or less. Examples can be viewed in our Partner Directory. Step 2: Inquire first Prior to completing a full grant proposal, please submit a letter of inquiry, providing a short description of your project. Inquiries are reviewed weekly. Submit an inquiry Step 3: Anticipate deadlines Deadlines are noted in each grant type description on the Apply page. Step 4: Prepare your proposal If you have been invited to submit a grant proposal, use the appropriate online or downloadable application that falls within the range of your request. If you use a downloaded application, electronic submissions are preferred and can be sent to grants@blandinfoundation.org. Step 5: Notification For grants $50,000 and above, Blandin Foundation program staff review all grant requests and present recommendations to the Board of Trustees, which makes the final funding decision at their meetings in March, June, September, and December. Applicants receive notification of the results within days of decision and award paid out within six weeks. Applications for grants $50,000 and less are reviewed as they are received. You will generally receive an acknowledgment within a week and a decision within 30-45 days. Step 6: Feedback Blandin Foundation program staff are always trying to improve their grantmaking. Constructive feedback, both positive and negative, are welcome by calling 21-327-8724, emailing grants@blandinfoundation.org or leaving a review on GrantAdvisor. Spot Us Wondering what we have funded in the past? This interactive map gives you a clear picture of grants paid. Click on the map pins for specific grants, or create your own search. View and Search Grantees Contact Us Your feedback strengthens our grantmaking. Contact us to share your thoughts. You may also subscribe to our mailing list, or contact the following Grants team members. Sonja Merrild Director of Grants Send an Email Direct: 218-327-8746 Linda Gibeau Program Officer - Grants Management Send an Email Direct: 218-327-8702 Kyle Erickson Program Officer Send an Email LuAnn Robinson Grants Program Assistant Send an Email Direct: 218-327-8724 More Information Apply Once you have checked for fit, begin the application process here. Grants At Work The vision, hope and hard work of community leaders make rural Minnesota communities vibrant. Grant Lists Lists of local and rural Minnesota (beyond local giving area) grantees. News Room Stay Connected Sign Up for E-News Facebook Twitter YouTube Channel GroundWork Blog Broadband Blog Broadband YouTube Channel Utilities News Room Partner Directory Careers Media Files Site Map Web Policies Board Portal Login Contact Us 100 North Pokegama Avenue Grand Rapids, MN 55744 Map & Directions Hours: 8:00am - 4:30pm Phone: 218-326-0523 Toll-free: 877-882-2257 More Contact Info ©2021 Blandin Foundation. Rights reserved. Website by Bicycle Theory.