Northland Foundation
Northland Foundation is a publicly supported, place-based community foundation headquartered in Duluth, Minnesota. Founded in 1986 by The McKnight Foundation, the organization serves as a regional philanthropic institution dedicated to supporting people and communities in northeastern Minnesota working toward a future where everyone feels they belong and can thrive.
Key facts about Northland Foundation
- EIN
- 41-1554455
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025
- Annual giving (2025)
- $4,950,607
- Grants made (2025)
- 122
- Average grant
- $40,579
- Median grant
- $25,000
- New grantees (estimate)
- 47% first-time grantees (57 of 122, 2025)
- Total assets
- $124,680,871
- Primary geography
- Minnesota (100% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- How to apply
- Pre-application contact is encouraged. Full details ↓
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology). Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Northland Foundation funds
By grant dollars, the top recipient states for Northland Foundation's 122 itemized 2025 grants were Minnesota (100%). The most frequent recipient cities were Duluth, MN (47 grants), Ely, MN (9 grants), Grand Marais, MN (8 grants) and Minneapolis, MN (8 grants). 7% of grants with a stated purpose were for general or operating support.
Is Northland Foundation open to new grantees?
47%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 57 of 122 grantees (47%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $46K; repeat grants $36K. How we count
Medians: $25K first-time, $30K repeat.
- 36% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (+8%). Method
Estimate from itemized IRS Form 990-PF grant lists (2020–2025). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Next steps with Northland Foundation
- How to evaluate Northland Foundation as a funder
Our grant prospecting guide: read the 990-PF, check fit, and decide whether to apply.
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Financial Overview
From 2025 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$124.7M
+4.2% YoY
Annual Giving
$5.0M
-29.1% YoY
Grant Count
122
-16.4% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$41K
-15.2% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
The Foundation's mission centers on supporting Northeast Minnesota people and communities. Grant programs provide financial and technical resources to tax-exempt nonprofits and public entities such as school districts within the service region.
Primary funding priorities include:
- Children, youth and families
- Individual and community wellbeing
- Maada'ookiing—supporting grassroots efforts to strengthen indigenous communities
The Foundation also acts as an intermediary grantor where mission and priorities align.
Grantmaking
Review Cycle
.
How to Apply
**
Ready to take the next step with Northland Foundation?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Foundation serves a seven-county region in northeastern Minnesota and all or parts of five Native nations.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of all 122 itemized 2025 grant dollars.
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Assets & Revenue
- Total assets: $124.7 million (2025)
- Total assets: $119.7 million (2024)
- Total assets: $115.1 million (2023)
- Annual revenue: $20.2 million (most recent)
- Total revenues: $16.2 million (2024)
- Total expenses: $16.9 million (2024)
- Annual giving: $11.3 million (2024)
Historical Impact
Since inception, the Foundation has raised $163 million, distributed $64 million in grant funds, and invested $79 million in local businesses.
| Metric | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $124,680,871 | $119,701,176 | $115,113,281 |
| Revenue | $14,042,992 | $16,195,946 | $11,684,631 |
| Expenses | $11,406,033 | $16,956,916 | $11,246,207 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $6,429,147 | $2,906,726 | $-575,098 |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2025
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
Grant Size Distribution
1,128 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
5 open opportunities from Northland Foundation
Maada’ookiing Grants
Northland Foundation
Amount
Up to US $5,000
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Northland Foundation: Quarterly Grants
Northland Foundation
Amount
More than US $10,000
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Otto Bremer Community Responsive Fund Grant
Northland Foundation
Amount
US $10,000 - US $75,000
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2025 grants, the largest recipients include Depot on Central LLC ($750,000), The Northspan Group Inc ($300,000), Ely Hardware ($199,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| DEPOT ON CENTRAL LLC Ely, MN | TO SUPPORT THE ECONOMIC REVITALIZATION OF MAIN STREET CORRIDORS ACROSS NORTHEAST MINNESOTA. | $750,000 |
| THE NORTHSPAN GROUP INC Duluth, MN | TO SUPPORT WORK IN RURAL COMMUNITIES ACROSS NORTHEAST MINNESOTA TO FOSTER BELONGING AND ADDRESS STRUCTURAL INEQUITIES & TO SUPPORT CAPITAL ACCESS ACROSS THE REGION TO STABILIZE ECONOMIES TO IMPACT SOCIALLY AND ECONOMICALLY DISADVANTAGED INDIVIDUALS | $300,000 |
| ELY HARDWARE Ely, MN | TO SUPPORT THE ECONOMIC REVITALIZATION OF MAIN STREET CORRIDORS ACROSS NORTHEAST MINNESOTA. | $199,000 |
| BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB OF THE NORTHLAND Duluth, MN | TO SUPPORT AFTERSCHOOL PROGRAMMING FOR YOUTH AGES 6-18 IN THE DULUTH AREA COMMUNITY; TO SUPPORT PROGRAMMING THAT PROVIDES A SAFE, SUPPORTIVE OUT-OF-SCHOOL ENVIRONMENT FOR SCHOOL-AGED YOUTH IN THE HIBBING COMMUNITY; TO SUPPORT OUT-OF-SCHOOL TIME ENRICHMENT PROGRAMMING FOR YOUTH IN THE GRAND RAPIDS AND GREENWAY SCHOOL DISTRICTS. | $100,000 |
| ROOTS AND WINGS EARLY LEARNING CENTER LLC Grand Rapids, MN | IN SUPPORT OF CHILD CARE PROGRAM EXPANSION WITH FUNDING PROVIDED BY THE STATE OF MINNESOTA, WITH SUPPORT OF THE NORTHLAND FOUNDATION. | $100,000 |
| YWCA OF DULUTH Duluth, MN | TO PROVIDE GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT TO YWCA DULUTH'S MISSION TO ELIMINATE RACISM, EMPOWER WOMEN, AND PROMOTE PEACE, JUSTICE, AND FREEDOM FOR ALL. | $85,000 |
| FOND DU LAC BAND OF LAKE SUPERIOR CHIPPEWA Cloquet, MN | IN SUPPORT OF CHILD CARE PROGRAM EXPANSION WITH FUNDING PROVIDED BY THE STATE OF MINNESOTA, WITH SUPPORT OF THE NORTHLAND FOUNDATION. | $75,000 |
| NORTH ST LOUIS COUNTY HABITAT FOR HUMANITY Virginia, MN | TO SUPPORT THE DEVELOPMENT OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING ACROSS COMMUNITIES IN NORTHERN ST. LOUIS COUNTY. | $70,000 |
| UNITED WAY OF NORTHEASTERN MINNESOTA Chisholm, MN | TO SUPPORT DATA GATHERING EFFORTS THAT SUPPORT FINANCIAL STABILITY FOR FAMILIES IN NORTHEAST MINNESOTA AND SUPPORT PROGRAMMING & INITIATIVES THAT ENHANCE YOUTH OPPORTUNITY, COMMUNITY HEALTH & RESILIENCE. | $55,000 |
| SMART NORTH Minneapolis, MN | TO SUPPORT AN AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM WHERE STUDENTS FEEL WELCOME, INSPIRED, AND COMFORTABLE AND TO FOCUS ON TECHNOLOGY SKILLS & DIGITAL LITERACY FOR GRAND RAPIDS & DEER RIVER YOUTH. | $50,749 |
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
From 2025 IRS filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jamie Adams | Trustee | 2 | — |
| Benjamin Benoit | Trustee | 2 | — |
| Elena Foshay | Trustee | 2 | — |
| Ashley Hall | Trustee | 2 | — |
| Tia Marie | Trustee | 2 | — |
| Sumair Sheikh | Trustee | 2 | — |
| Darren Sheldon | Trustee | 2 | — |
| Kristen Vake | Trustee | 2 | — |
| Peter McDermott | Chair | 3 | — |
| Mary Harrelson | Vice Chair | 2 | — |
| Roy Smith | Treasurer | 2 | — |
| Cindy Anderson Bina | Secretary | 2 | — |
| Anthony Sertich | President | 55 | $214,991 |
| Heather Brouse | Chief Financial Officer | 50 | $135,321 |
| Zane Bail | Chief Operating Officer | 50 | $154,870 |
| Michael Colclough | Business Finance Director | 45 | $125,278 |
| Vicki Hagberg | SBDC Regional Director | 55 | $113,156 |
| Michelle Ufford | Director of Grantmaking | 40 | $125,539 |
| Curt Walczak | Associate Director | 45 | $112,113 |
| Jeanine Dahl | Communications Director | 45 | $100,285 |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The Foundation has announced multiple grant cycles and initiatives, including quarterly grant awards exceeding $1.1 million in the third quarter of 2024. The Youth In Philanthropy Board has awarded grants for projects planned and led by children and youth in the region. The Foundation, with State of Minnesota funding, has awarded grants for child care expansion in northeastern Minnesota.
Northland Foundation makes grants in our area - The TimberjaySubject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Northland Foundation fund?
The Foundation's mission centers on supporting Northeast Minnesota people and communities. Grant programs provide financial and technical resources to tax-exempt nonprofits and public entities such as school districts within the service region. Primary funding priorities include: • Children, youth and families • Individual and community wellbeing • Maada'ookiing—supporting grassroots efforts to strengthen indigenous communities The Foundation also acts as an intermediary grantor where mission a…
How do I apply for a grant from Northland Foundation?
Pre-application contact is encouraged. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
Where does Northland Foundation make grants?
The Foundation serves a seven-county region in northeastern Minnesota and all or parts of five Native nations.
What size grants does Northland Foundation award?
In 2025, Northland Foundation awarded 122 grants totaling $5.0M — an average of about $41K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is Northland Foundation's EIN?
Northland Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 41-1554455. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Northland Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.