Lake Region Arts Council
Lake Region Arts Council (LRAC) is a public charity based in Fergus Falls, Minnesota, that supports and encourages arts opportunities and programming in west central Minnesota. It offers grants to organizations and individual artists, along with workshops, networking, artist resources, and other services.
Lake Region Arts Council at a glance
In short: Lake Region Arts Council gave $346K across 30 grants in 2025 (avg $12K), mostly in Minnesota. 40% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $345,820
- -8.2% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 30
- -54.5% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $11,527
- +101.9% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $11,100
- Total assets
- $405,357
- +93.9% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 40% first-time grantees (12 of 30, 2025)
- Primary geography
- Minnesota (100% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Lake Region Arts Council
- How to Apply
-
Review the guidelines and instructions for the relevant grant program; each program has its own applicant and project eligibility criteria. The council says applicants may contact its office with eligibility questions. Its grants calendar states that applications are due on the first Thursday of the month at 3:00 p.m.; applicants should check the calendar for the dates and review schedule for the relevant round.
- Contact
Mailing address: 133 S Mill St, Fergus Falls, MN 56537
Phone: (218) 739-5780
Website: https://lrac4.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Lake Region Arts Council funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was New York Mills Arts Retreat ($23K). Together the top 10 received $161K.
Grant Size Distribution
212 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 212 grants of 212 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
LRAC describes its service area as a nine-county region in west central Minnesota. In filing year 2025, all reported grant dollars went to recipients in Minnesota.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 30 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Lake Region Arts Council open to new grantees?
40%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 12 of 30 grantees (40%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $13K; repeat grants $11K. How we count
Medians: $13K first-time, $9K repeat.
- 53% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (−11%). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2022–2025). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2021 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $259K (2021) to $388K (2022). In 2025 it made 30 grants totaling $346K.
Hatched bars: grants paid as reported on the IRS filing, which lists no individual grants for that year.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| New York Mills Arts Retreat New York Mills, MN | — | $22,600 |
| Detroit Lakes Community Cultural CT Detroit Lakes, MN | — | $20,050 |
| Central Square Glenwood, MN | — | $17,580 |
| Henning Landmark Center Henning, MN | — | $17,362 |
| Historical & Cultural Soc of Clay C Moorhead, MN | — | $17,132 |
| Art of the Lakes Battle Lake, MN | — | $14,100 |
| Springboard for the Arts Fergus Falls, MN | — | $14,000 |
| Minnewaska Theatre Arts Assoc Glenwood, MN | — | $13,310 |
| Artistree Community Alexandria, MN | — | $12,500 |
| Fergus Falls Public Schools Fergus Falls, MN | — | $12,500 |
Ready to take the next step with Lake Region Arts Council?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $405,357 | $1,050,519 | $942,145 | $345,820 | 30 | $3,661 |
| 2024 | $209,080 | $949,967 | $921,709 | $376,777 | 66 | $352 |
| 2023 | $167,913 | $829,235 | $817,252 | $305,293 | 58 | $272 |
| 2022 | $216,379 | $880,468 | $844,326 | $387,766 | 58 | $20 |
| 2021 | $331,018 | $633,356 | $659,763 | $259,363 | Total only | $21 |
"Total only": grants paid as reported on the IRS filing, which lists no individual grants for that year.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The organization’s stated mission is “to encourage and support the vitality of the arts in west central Minnesota.” Its filing describes grantmaking for arts organizations, individual artists, schools, and others to produce and sponsor arts events. It also describes artist referral services, support services, workshops, and gallery space.
LRAC’s organizational programs include project grants for artistic creation, performance, or exhibition; legacy grants for arts access, arts learning, and arts and cultural heritage; operating support for qualifying arts organizations; and Artists on Main Street, offered with West Central Initiative. Individual programs include career-development grants, a fellowship, and legacy grants. Program guidelines set eligibility criteria; the website directs applicants to those guidelines and instructions and invites questions about eligibility.
The grantees’ stated missions illustrate the range of organizations supported. New York Mills Arts Retreat, which received $22,600 in 2025, says its mission is to provide artists, writers, and students of the arts a means to work, educate, promote, and develop public appreciation of the arts. Central Square, which received $17,580, says its mission is to support the arts in west central Minnesota. Springboard for the Arts, which received $14,000, says its mission is to cultivate vibrant arts communities by connecting artists with the skills, information, and services they need to make a living and a life. Fergus Falls Center for the Arts, which received $9,910, says its mission is to build the connection between artist and audience.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, LRAC reported 30 grants totaling $345,820. Grants ranged from $5,545 to $22,600, with a median of $11,100. Among the largest awards were $22,600 to New York Mills Arts Retreat; $20,050 to Detroit Lakes Community Cultural Center; $17,580 to Central Square; $17,362 to Henning Landmark Center; and $17,132 to Historical & Cultural Society of Clay County. Other reported awards included $14,100 to Art of the Lakes, $14,000 to Springboard for the Arts, and $13,310 to Minnewaska Theatre Arts Association.
The website identified January 2026 as the next Operating Support application round; that date has passed.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Erin Hemme-Froslie as president and Mary Beth Gilsdorf as vice president. Listed board members are Jill Amundson, Bobbi Bricker, Sarah Eckel, Corey Eggen, Kim Konikow, Jenny Nellis, Traci Palm, and Cherie Rusch.
Lake Region Arts Council is led by Erin Hemme-Froslie, President on the 2025 filing; none of the 17 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Erin Hemme-Froslie
President
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Bobbi Bricker
Board Member
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Calvin Deruyter
Board Member
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Cherie Rusch
Board Member
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Corey Eggen
Board Member
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jenny Nellis
Board Member
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jill Amundson
Board Member
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jon Solinger
Treasurer
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Kim Konikow
Board Member
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Mary Beth Gilsdorf
Vice President
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Michelle Wencl
Board Member
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Nikki Wait
Board Member
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Sarah Eckel
Board Member
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Sarah Schacht
Board Member
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Traci Palm
Board Member
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Tyler Smith
Board Member
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Weyburn Wasson
Board Member
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (4)
- Former: Maxine Adams (2021–2024) — Executive Director
- Former: Rebecca J Davis (2021–2024) — Executive Assistant
- Former: Miranda Lape (2022–2024) — Grants Manager
- Former: Elizabeth Ostenson (2021–2022) — Grants Manager
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2021–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Frequently asked questions about Lake Region Arts Council
How much does Lake Region Arts Council give each year?
Lake Region Arts Council gave $346K across 30 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $377K across 66 grants.
What is Lake Region Arts Council's typical grant size?
Lake Region Arts Council's median grant in 2025 was $11,100, and its average grant was $11,527, across 30 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from Lake Region Arts Council that year got $13K on average.
Where does Lake Region Arts Council give grants?
Lake Region Arts Council gives mostly in Minnesota: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Moorhead, MN (7 grants), Alexandria, MN (5 grants), Fergus Falls, MN (4 grants) and Glenwood, MN (2 grants).
Who are Lake Region Arts Council's largest grantees?
Lake Region Arts Council's largest 2025 grantees include New York Mills Arts Retreat ($22,600), Detroit Lakes Community Cultural CT ($20,050) and Central Square ($17,580), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. Together they received 17% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Lake Region Arts Council?
Lake Region Arts Council reported $405K in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $1.1M.
What does Lake Region Arts Council fund?
The organization’s stated mission is “to encourage and support the vitality of the arts in west central Minnesota.” Its filing describes grantmaking for arts organizations, individual artists, schools, and others to produce and sponsor arts events. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Lake Region Arts Council?
Review the guidelines and instructions for the relevant grant program; each program has its own applicant and project eligibility criteria. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Lake Region Arts Council's EIN?
Lake Region Arts Council's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 41-1430764. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(5)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 7, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 6, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS May 6, 2025)
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 15, 2026)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 1, 2021)
Live grants for the work Lake Region Arts Council funds
Arts, Culture & Humanities Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Lake Region Arts Council's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Lake Region Arts Council funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 19, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/lake-region-arts-council-morg_8c5d7f6dcbbe407f981123d0f2eaa88c
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_411430764_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Lake Region Arts Council funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/lake-region-arts-council-morg_8c5d7f6dcbbe407f981123d0f2eaa88c},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-19. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from Lake Region Arts Council's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
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