Northland Foundation
Northland Foundation is a publicly supported, place-based foundation based in Duluth, Minnesota. It serves Northeast Minnesota and supports people and communities working toward a future where everyone feels they belong and can thrive. Its work includes grantmaking, business loans and technical assistance, community programs, and training and convening.
Northland Foundation at a glance
In short: Northland Foundation gave $5.0M across 122 grants in 2025 (avg $41K), mostly in Minnesota. 46% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $4,950,607
- -29.1% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 122
- -16.4% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $40,579
- -15.2% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $25,000
- Total assets
- $124,680,871
- +4.2% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 46% first-time grantees (56 of 122, 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 October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Northland Foundation
- How to Apply
-
The foundation describes a grant portal for starting applications, continuing applications, submitting reports, and tracking grant history. For quarterly grants, application deadlines are January 5, April 1, July 1, and October 1. Maada’ookiing deadlines are February 15, May 15, and September 15.
- Contact
Mailing address: 202 West Superior Street 800, Duluth, MN 55802
Phone: (218) 723-4040
Website: https://northlandfdn.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
5 open opportunities from Northland Foundation
Maada’ookiing Grants
Northland Foundation
Amount
Up to US $5,000
Deadline
Deadline not published
Northland Foundation: Quarterly Grants
Northland Foundation
Amount
More than US $10,000
Deadline
Deadline not published
Otto Bremer Community Responsive Fund Grant
Northland Foundation
Amount
US $10,000 - US $75,000
Deadline
Deadline not published
Who Northland Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Depot on Central LLC ($750K). Together the top 10 received $1.8M.
Grant Size Distribution
1,128 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 1,003 grants of 1,128 (89%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation serves Aitkin, Carlton, Cook, Itasca, Koochiching, Lake, and St. Louis counties in Northeast Minnesota, and all or parts of the Bois Forte, Fond du Lac, Grand Portage, Leech Lake District 1, and Mille Lacs District 2 Native nations. Its 2025 itemized grants went entirely to recipients in Minnesota. The Youth In Philanthropy grant opportunity also names Superior, Wisconsin, as an eligible community.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 122 itemized grants.
Cities
Is Northland Foundation open to new grantees?
46%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 56 of 122 grantees (46%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $45K; repeat grants $37K. 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 grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2020–2025). 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 2020 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $2.0M (2020) to $7.0M (2024). In 2025 it made 122 grants totaling $5.0M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| 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 |
Ready to take the next step with Northland Foundation?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $124,680,871 | $14,042,992 | $11,406,033 | $4,950,607 | 122 | $6,429,147 |
| 2024 | $119,701,176 | $16,195,946 | $16,956,916 | $6,982,431 | 146 | $2,906,726 |
| 2023 | $115,113,281 | $11,684,631 | $11,246,207 | $3,520,429 | 109 | $-575,098 |
| 2022 | $110,895,270 | $27,913,272 | $12,225,025 | $4,576,421 | 314 | $16,448,361 |
| 2021 | $122,061,030 | $27,712,007 | $13,423,865 | $6,492,492 | 437 | $16,597,020 |
| 2020 | $95,143,879 | $16,414,612 | $9,357,440 | $1,990,095 | 89 | $6,763,752 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation’s mission is to support Northeast Minnesota people and communities working toward a future where everyone feels they belong and can thrive. Its stated grant priorities are children, youth and families; individual and community wellbeing; and Maada’ookiing, which supports grassroots efforts to strengthen Indigenous communities.
Its grant opportunities include quarterly grants for nonprofits and government entities, Maada’ookiing grants for Native-led projects, Youth In Philanthropy grants for youth-led projects, and occasional special grants. The foundation’s 2025 filing also describes programs focused on early childhood, youth development, intergenerational work, and business assistance.
Examples of supported organizations illustrate the range of work funded. The YWCA of Duluth received $85,000; the YWCA describes its mission as eliminating racism and empowering women and girls. North St. Louis County Habitat for Humanity received $70,000 for affordable housing development; Habitat describes its mission as building affordable homes for qualified families. United Way of Northeastern Minnesota received $55,000 for family financial-stability data gathering and initiatives supporting youth opportunity, community health, and resilience. Smart North received $50,749 for after-school programming focused on technology skills and digital literacy; Smart North describes its work as advancing digital equity and opportunities for underserved and rural communities.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, the foundation reported 122 itemized grants totaling $4,950,607. Those grants ranged from $10,000 to $750,000, with a median of $25,000.
The largest itemized grant was $750,000 to Depot on Central LLC to support economic revitalization of Main Street corridors across Northeast Minnesota. Other notable grants included $300,000 to The Northspan Group Inc. for work in rural communities and support for capital access across the region; $199,000 to Ely Hardware for Main Street revitalization; and $100,000 to Boys and Girls Club of the Northland for after-school programming in Duluth, Hibbing, Grand Rapids, and Greenway. Grants also included $100,000 to Roots and Wings Early Learning Center for child care program expansion, $85,000 to YWCA of Duluth for general operating support, and $70,000 to North St. Louis County Habitat for Humanity for affordable housing development.
For quarterly grants, eligible applicants include 501(c)(3) nonprofits, educational institutions and school districts, Tribal nations, and local governmental agencies. Activities must serve people in the foundation’s service area, and applicants are ideally located or have a staffing presence there; organizations without a physical location or staffing presence in the region are discouraged from applying. The foundation says successful proposals clearly address one or more of its priorities, and it is especially interested in work led by and actively engaging the community served and advancing equity and inclusion. Quarterly grants to nonprofits within the region are mainly general operating support; other grantees may receive program-restricted grants. Applications and reporting are handled through the foundation’s portal.
Maada’ookiing grants of up to $5,000 support Native-led projects in the region. Youth In Philanthropy grants of up to $1,000 support projects planned and carried out by young people with an adult advisor. The Youth In Philanthropy opportunity also includes Superior, Wisconsin, and lists a deadline of January 1, 2027.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Peter McDermott as chair and Mary Harrelson as vice chair. Trustees listed are Jamie Adams, Benjamin Benoit, Elena Foshay, Ashley Hall, Tia Marie, Sumair Sheikh, Darren Sheldon, and Kristen Vake.
Northland Foundation is led by Anthony Sertich, President on every filing since 2020; 8 of 20 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Anthony Sertich
President
On filings since 2020
55 hrs/week
$178K (2020) → $215K (2025)
Peter McDermott
Chair
Trustee → Treasurer, 2021
Treasurer → Chair, 2024
On filings since 2020
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Michael Colclough
Business Finance Director
On filings since 2022
45 hrs/week
$114K (2022) → $125K (2025)
Michelle Ufford
Director of Grantmaking
Trustee → Director of Grantmaking, 2025
On filings since 2022
40 hrs/week
$126K (2025)
Vicki Hagberg
Sbdc Regional Director
On filings since 2024
55 hrs/week
$105K (2024) → $113K (2025)
Jeanine Dahl
Communications Director
New on the 2025 filing
45 hrs/week
$100K (2025)
Sumair Sheikh
Trustee
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jamie Adams
Trustee
On filings since 2022
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Ashley Hall
Trustee
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Benjamin Benoit
Trustee
On filings since 2024
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Darren Sheldon
Trustee
On filings since 2024
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Elena Foshay
Trustee
On filings since 2024
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Kristen Vake
Trustee
On filings since 2024
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Tia Marie
Trustee
On filings since 2024
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Heather Brouse
Chief Financial Officer
On filings since 2020
50 hrs/week
$113K (2020) → $135K (2025)
Zane Bail
Chief Operating Officer
On filings since 2022
50 hrs/week
$117K (2022) → $155K (2025)
Curt Walczak
Associate Director
New on the 2025 filing
45 hrs/week
$112K (2025)
Cindy Anderson Bina
Secretary
Trustee → Secretary, 2021
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Mary Harrelson
Vice Chair
Trustee → Vice Chair Beginning Jan., 2023
Vice Chair Beginning Jan. → Vice Chair, 2024
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Roy Smith
Treasurer
Trustee → Treasurer, 2024
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (14)
- Former: Angie Miller (2020–2024) — Past Chair
- Former: Baabiitaw Boyd (2021–2024) — Trustee
- Former: Kenneth Reid (2024) — Trustee
- Former: Jason Hollinday (2020–2023) — Past Chair
- Former: Shaye Moris (2020–2023) — Vice Chair
- Former: Erik Torch (2022–2023) — Associate Director
- Former: Lynn Haglin (2020–2022) — Former Officer - Vice President Termed
- Former: Trent Janezich (2020–2022) — Immediate Past Chair Termed
- Former: Lori Rothstein (2021–2022) — Trustee
- Former: Lisa Kruse (2020–2021) — Trustee - Termed June
- Former: Tom Rider (2020–2021) — Trustee - Termed Sep
- Former: Joann Smith (2020) — Trustee - Termed Oct
- Former: Steve Downing (2020) — Past Chair - Termed Aug
- Former: Victoria Hagberg (2020) — Secretary - Termed June
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $215K, to Anthony Sertich (President). 8 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Northland Foundation
How much does Northland Foundation give each year?
Northland Foundation gave $5.0M across 122 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $7.0M across 146 grants.
What is Northland Foundation's typical grant size?
Northland Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $25,000, and its average grant was $40,579, across 122 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from Northland Foundation that year got $45K on average.
Where does Northland Foundation give grants?
Northland Foundation 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 Duluth, MN (47 grants), ELY, MN (9 grants), Grand Marais, MN (8 grants) and Minneapolis, MN (8 grants).
Does Northland Foundation give general operating support?
Occasionally: 7% of Northland Foundation's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (9 of 122) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990.
Who are Northland Foundation's largest grantees?
Northland Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include Depot on Central LLC ($750,000), The Northspan Group Inc ($300,000) and ELY Hardware ($199,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. Together they received 25% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Northland Foundation?
Northland Foundation reported $124.7M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $14.0M.
What does Northland Foundation fund?
The foundation’s mission is to support Northeast Minnesota people and communities working toward a future where everyone feels they belong and can thrive. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Northland Foundation?
The foundation describes a grant portal for starting applications, continuing applications, submitting reports, and tracking grant history. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
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.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(7)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS December 9, 2020)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS January 11, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS December 22, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS December 20, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS January 27, 2025)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS December 17, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2025
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Northland Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Northland Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 16, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/northland-foundation-morg_df33bc6b64524e72a7abe3c5db885ad4
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_411554455_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Northland Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/northland-foundation-morg_df33bc6b64524e72a7abe3c5db885ad4},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-16. 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 Northland Foundation'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.
Northland Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?