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.
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
In fiscal year 2024, Northland awarded 264 grants totaling $7.6 million. Typical grant awards range from $10,000 to $750,000, with quarterly grant cycles.
Review Cycle
.
How to Apply
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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
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 | — | — | — |
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
250 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
No grants recorded for .
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
From 2025 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
Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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