The Northland Foundation is a regional community foundation based in Duluth, Minnesota, established in 1986 by The McKnight Foundation. The organization operates as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit with 23 employees and serves a seven-county region in northeastern Minnesota.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$2.2M
-6.6% YoY
Annual Giving
$360K
+15.9% YoY
Grant Count
36
-12.2% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$10K
+32.0% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Northlands Foundation reported a distributable amount of $163K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The Northland Foundation provides financial and technical resources to tax-exempt nonprofits and public entities, including school districts, within its seven-county service region. The foundation prioritizes three primary areas:
- Children, Youth and Families — Supporting programs and initiatives that benefit young people and family systems
- Individual and Community Wellbeing — Advancing health, economic opportunity, and quality of life
- Maada'ookiing — Supporting grassroots efforts to strengthen Indigenous communities
The foundation also serves as an intermediary grantor where mission and priorities align.
Grantmaking
In fiscal year 2024, the Northland Foundation awarded 264 grants totaling $7.6 million to nonprofits and public entities. The foundation distributed an additional $3.7 million in Minnesota early learning scholarships on behalf of the state.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Northland Foundation serves a seven-county region in northeastern Minnesota.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Fiscal Year 2024:
- Total Assets: $119,701,176
- Total Revenues: $16,195,946
- Total Expenses: $16,956,916
- Staff: 23 employees
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $2,190,166 | $2,343,762 | $2,676,966 |
| Revenue | $211,949 | $-11,960 | $60,787 |
| Expenses | $365,542 | $321,244 | $247,019 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $363,510 | $318,177 | $242,883 |
| Net Investment Income | $210,533 | $55,424 | $58,756 |
| Distributable Amount | $163,269 | $153,755 | $163,353 |
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 2024
Grant Size Distribution
210 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Ne Historical Genealogical Society ($79,575), Classic Lyric Arts ($65,000), Pennsylvania Voice ($52,500).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| BAILEY HOUSE INC NEW YORK, NY | TO PROVIDE SUPPORT FOR PUBLIC CHARITABLE ORGANIZATION | $500 |
| CAPITAL REGION CLASSICAL ALBANY, NY | TO PROVIDE SUPPORT FOR PUBLIC CHARITABLE ORGANIZATION | $5,000 |
| CLARK ART INSTITUTE WILLIAMSTOWN, MA | TO PROVIDE SUPPORT FOR PUBLIC CHARITABLE ORGANIZATION | $5,000 |
| CLASSIC LYRIC ARTS NEW YORK, NY | TO PROVIDE SUPPORT FOR PUBLIC CHARITABLE ORGANIZATION | $65,000 |
| COLUMBIA COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY KINDERHOOK, NY | TO PROVIDE SUPPORT FOR PUBLIC CHARITABLE ORGANIZATION | $1,000 |
| COLUMBIA LAND CONSERVANCY CHATHAM, NY | TO PROVIDE SUPPORT FOR PUBLIC CHARITABLE ORGANIZATION | $2,000 |
| COLUMBIA MEMORIAL HOSPITAL FOUNDATION ASTORIA, OR | TO PROVIDE SUPPORT FOR PUBLIC CHARITABLE ORGANIZATION | $1,500 |
| CONCERTS IN THE VILLAGE KINDERHOOK, NY | TO PROVIDE SUPPORT FOR PUBLIC CHARITABLE ORGANIZATION | $28,325 |
| DANCERS RESPONDING TO AIDS NEW YORK, NY | TO PROVIDE SUPPORT FOR PUBLIC CHARITABLE ORGANIZATION | $1,000 |
| FREEDOM INSTITUTE NEW YORK, NY | TO PROVIDE SUPPORT FOR PUBLIC CHARITABLE ORGANIZATION | $1,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| WHEELOCK WHITNEY III | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The Northland Foundation regularly announces quarterly grant distributions. In the third quarter of 2024 (July-September), the foundation awarded more than $1.1 million in grants to nonprofits. The fourth quarter also saw more than $500,000 awarded to nonprofits in the region.
Northland Foundation makes grants in our area - The TimberjayThe Youth In Philanthropy Board continues to support youth-led initiatives, with winter 2026 grants totaling $8,395 to support projects led by children and youth across the region.
Northland Foundation\u2019s Youth\_In\_Philanthropy Board awards 11 grants\Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Northlands Foundation fund?
The Northland Foundation provides financial and technical resources to tax-exempt nonprofits and public entities, including school districts, within its seven-county service region. The foundation prioritizes three primary areas: 1. **Children, Youth and Families** — Supporting programs and initiatives that benefit young people and family systems 2. **Individual and Community Wellbeing** — Advancing health, economic opportunity, and quality of life 3. **Maada'ookiing** — Supporting grassroots e…
How do I apply for a grant from Northlands Foundation?
In fiscal year 2024, the Northland Foundation awarded 264 grants totaling $7.6 million to nonprofits and public entities. The foundation distributed an additional $3.7 million in Minnesota early learning scholarships on behalf of the state. Beyond traditional grantmaking, the foundation operates a **business services program** offering technical assistance and flexible financing to support business start-up and expansion within its seven-county region. This program aims to bolster the regional …
Where does Northlands Foundation make grants?
The Northland Foundation serves a seven-county region in northeastern Minnesota.
What size grants does Northlands Foundation award?
In 2024, Northlands Foundation awarded 36 grants totaling $360K — an average of about $10K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Northlands Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Northlands Foundation reported a distributable amount of $163K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Northlands Foundation's EIN?
Northlands Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 82-1223620. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Northlands Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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