Northwest Minnesota Foundation
Northwest Minnesota Foundation is a public charity based in Bemidji, Minnesota, that supports communities across Northwest Minnesota through grants, loans, scholarships, business support, and local giving. Its work includes connecting donors and recipients with resources and supporting community-led efforts to strengthen the region.
Northwest Minnesota Foundation at a glance
In short: Northwest Minnesota Foundation gave $2.4M across 89 grants in 2025 (avg $26K), mostly in Minnesota. 43% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $2,355,621
- -63.8% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 89
- -51.1% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $26,468
- -25.9% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $15,600
- Total assets
- $110,665,406
- +7.0% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 43% first-time grantees (38 of 89, 2025)
- Primary geography
- Minnesota (99% 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 Northwest Minnesota Foundation
- Contact
Mailing address: 201 3Rd St Nw, Bemidji, MN 55601
Phone: (218) 759-2057
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
24 open opportunities from Northwest Minnesota Foundation
Art and Jane Snustad Scholarship
Northwest Minnesota Foundation
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
Bemidji 31 Education Foundation Fund
Northwest Minnesota Foundation
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
Bemidji Area Arts Endowment
Northwest Minnesota Foundation
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
Who Northwest Minnesota Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Catholic Charities of the Twin Cities Opportunity Center ($201K). Together the top 10 received $997K.
Organizations only. It also paid 1 individual scholarship ($43,971), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
996 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 934 grants of 996 (94%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation describes its work as focused on Northwest Minnesota. The 2026 Otto Bremer Trust Community Responsive Fund guidelines define the region for that program as Red Lake Nation and White Earth Nation, along with Beltrami, Clearwater, Hubbard, Kittson, Lake of the Woods, Mahnomen, Marshall, Norman, Pennington, Polk, Red Lake, and Roseau counties. The Initiators Fellowship program also extends through partnerships to a broader Greater Minnesota area.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 89 itemized grants.
Cities
Is Northwest Minnesota Foundation open to new grantees?
43%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 38 of 89 grantees (43%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $27K; repeat grants $26K. How we count
Medians: $13K first-time, $18K repeat.
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2019–2025). 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 2019 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $933K (2020) to $6.5M (2024). In 2025 it made 89 grants totaling $2.4M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Catholic Charities of the Twin Cities Opportunity Center Minneapolis, MN | Minnesota Engagement on Shelter & Housing | $200,962 |
| Bemidji Area School District #31 Bemidji, MN | BHS Field Improvement Project, Bemidji School District Athletics | $156,082 |
| Lifecare Medical Center Roseau, MN | To purchase trophon2 ultrasound probe disinfection device fo, update video laryngoscopy equipment, which is utilized by em, to purchase tv's for each resident room at the lifecare rose, to purchase a trailer to pull behind the ranger for resident, funding to go towards a new van for roseau senior living, | $119,816 |
| North Star Neighbors Bemidji, MN | To Support Organization's Operations | $102,000 |
| White Earth Nation White Earth, MN | White Earth Natural Resource Division Youth Internship Progr | $95,000 |
| Friends of Itasca State Park Park Rapids, MN | Playground | $80,743 |
| Inter-County Community Council Inc Oklee, MN | Final Payment for BSG Youth Homelessness Project | $75,000 |
| Warroad Public Schools ISD #690 Warroad, MN | Final disbursement of the warroad farmers union oil co. Scho, nancy fisher, clavinova, drainage excavation of warroad athletic complex, jeremy culleton, whs retooling cte manufacturing, 3 promethean activity panels for special education | $57,481 |
| City of Roseau Roseau, MN | Roseau Daycare - Facility Improvements | $55,000 |
| Warroad Community Childcare Center Warroad, MN | Use Funds Where Needed Most | $55,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Northwest Minnesota Foundation?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $110,665,406 | $11,071,050 | $10,149,806 | $2,355,621 | 89 | $4,997,546 |
| 2024 | $103,397,318 | $13,002,983 | $12,711,702 | $6,500,761 | 182 | $2,158,429 |
| 2023 | $96,817,979 | $7,810,635 | $8,791,846 | $2,566,480 | 88 | $923,652 |
| 2022 | $91,824,995 | $19,432,128 | $10,217,253 | $4,026,233 | 285 | $7,031,975 |
| 2021 | $98,196,551 | $11,498,947 | $9,615,039 | $3,886,436 | 352 | $3,486,807 |
| 2020 | $83,430,885 | $7,618,123 | $7,174,697 | $933,007 | 56 | $2,404,671 |
| 2019 | $79,827,885 | $8,970,860 | $7,139,073 | $1,660,480 | 56 | $3,448,768 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation’s stated mission is to invest resources, facilitate collaboration, and promote philanthropy to make the region a better place to live and work.
Its Building Better Lives grants prioritize strengthening families; mental and physical health and wellness; welcoming communities; economic mobility and workforce development; and nonprofit capacity-building. Other funding described by the foundation includes support for child care, housing, homelessness response, community revitalization, scholarships, and local funds.
Grantee missions illustrate the range of organizations it supports. North Star Neighbors says it provides affordable homeownership opportunities for low- to moderate-income households. Inter-County Community Council describes itself as a community action agency supporting people in poverty with resources and opportunities. Warroad Community Childcare Center says it creates an inclusive environment where children and seniors learn and grow. Agassiz Audubon Society says its purpose is conservation and public education.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, the foundation reported 89 grants totaling $2,355,621. Grant amounts ranged from $5,250 to $200,962, with a median of $15,600. The largest listed award was $200,962 to Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis for Minnesota engagement on shelter and housing. Other large awards included $156,082 to Bemidji Area School District #31 for a field improvement project and $119,816 to LifeCare Medical Center for equipment and other listed needs.
Additional 2025 awards included $102,000 to North Star Neighbors for organizational operations, $95,000 to White Earth Nation for a youth internship program, $80,743 to Friends of an individual recipient Park for a playground, and $75,000 to Inter-County Community Council as a final payment for a youth homelessness project. The filing reports that 99% of 2025 grant dollars went to recipients in Minnesota, 1% to Hawaii, and less than 1% to North Dakota.
The foundation’s website says Building Better Lives grants are offered three times a year and describes eligible applicants for the program as nonprofits, fiscally sponsored projects, and public agencies. Its website also lists local fund opportunities and says grant rounds have application periods and informational webinars. The application dates shown for the Building Better Lives program are not presented here as current dates. The 2025 launch announcement’s December 1 application deadline has passed. The 2026 Initiators Fellowship deadline of May 24 has also passed. The 2026 Otto Bremer Trust Community Responsive Fund guidelines describe a one-year award of up to $75,000, with eligibility and funding requirements set out in those guidelines.
After a general grant is awarded, the filing says the grantee signs an award letter specifying payment timing and reporting requirements. Normally, the first payment is sent after the signed agreement is received, and subsequent payments follow satisfactory reports. Component fund payments require materials from the fund’s advisory committee.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Jason Carlson as chair, Bruce Reeves as vice chair, Connie Lindstrom as treasurer, Cheri Gunvalson as secretary, and Alisha Everwind, Christine Imbra, Jill Johnson, and Mike Laroque as directors. It also lists Todd Beckel as treasurer through November 2024 and Kaitlyn Grenier as a director through November 2024.
Northwest Minnesota Foundation is led by Karen White, President on every filing since 2019; 6 of 21 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Karen White
President
On filings since 2019
40 hrs/week
$108K (2019) → $196K (2025)
Jason Carlson
Chair
Director → Vice Chair, 2023
Vice Chair → Chair, 2025
On filings since 2022
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Cory Boushee
Director of Programs
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
$106K (2025)
Michelle Paquin
Director
Vice Chair → Chair, 2023
Chair → Director, 2024
On filings since 2019
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Deb Zak
Director
Director → Chair, 2024
Chair → Director, 2025
On filings since 2020
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Mike Laroque
Director
On filings since 2020
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jill Johnson
Director
On filings since 2022
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Kaitlyn Grenier
Director
On filings since 2022
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Kristi Thorfinnson
Director
On filings since 2022
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jack Swanson
Director
On filings since 2024
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Alisha Everwind
Director
New on the 2025 filing
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Christine Imbra
Director
New on the 2025 filing
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Kyle Larson
Director
New on the 2025 filing
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Michael Neusser
Vice President of Operations
On filings since 2021
40 hrs/week
$111K (2021) → $133K (2025)
Shannon Martinueau Jesme
Senior Vice President of Finance & Administrator
On filings since 2024
40 hrs/week
$137K (2024) → $139K (2025)
Brenda Bruggeman
Controller
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
$119K (2025)
Dawn Ganje
Senior Vice President of Philanthropy
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
$109K (2025)
Todd Beckel
Treasurer
Director → Treasurer, 2021
On filings since 2019
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Cheri Gunvalson
Secretary
Director → Secretary, 2022
On filings since 2020
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Bruce Reeves
Vice Chair
Director → Vice Chair, 2025
On filings since 2022
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Connie Lindstrom
Treasurer
Director → Treasurer, 2025
On filings since 2022
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (14)
- Former: Nathan Dorr (2021–2024) — Vice President of Advocacy
- Former: Antonio Franklin (2023–2024) — Director
- Former: Nathaniel Haskell (2024) — Senior Program Officer
- Former: Steven Anderson (2019–2022) — Chair
- Former: Cathy Forgit (2019–2021) — Secretary
- Former: Kristin Eggerling (2019–2021) — Chair
- Former: Leah Pigatti (2019–2021) — Director
- Former: John Shimkus (2020–2021) — Vice President for Administrator & Finance
- Former: Dennis Bona (2019–2020) — Director
- Former: Nancy Vyskocil (2019–2020) — Former President
- Former: Jon Linnell (2019) — Director
- Former: Pete Haadeland (2019) — Director
- Former: Tim Hagl (2019) — Director
- Former: Tom Anderson (2019) — Chair
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2025. "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 $196K, to Karen White (President). 6 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Northwest Minnesota Foundation
How much does Northwest Minnesota Foundation give each year?
Northwest Minnesota Foundation gave $2.4M across 89 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $6.5M across 182 grants.
What is Northwest Minnesota Foundation's typical grant size?
Northwest Minnesota Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $15,600, and its average grant was $26,468, across 89 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from Northwest Minnesota Foundation that year got $27K on average.
Where does Northwest Minnesota Foundation give grants?
Northwest Minnesota Foundation gives mostly in Minnesota: 99% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Bemidji, MN (17 grants), Park Rapids, MN (10 grants), Warroad, MN (6 grants) and Saint Paul, MN (5 grants).
Does Northwest Minnesota Foundation give general operating support?
Occasionally: 4% of Northwest Minnesota Foundation's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (4 of 89) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990.
Who are Northwest Minnesota Foundation's largest grantees?
Northwest Minnesota Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include Catholic Charities of the Twin Cities Opportunity Center ($200,962), Bemidji Area School District #31 ($156,082) and Lifecare Medical Center ($119,816), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. It also paid 1 individual scholarship ($43,971), which are not listed by name. Together they received 20% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Northwest Minnesota Foundation?
Northwest Minnesota Foundation reported $110.7M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $11.1M.
What does Northwest Minnesota Foundation fund?
The foundation’s stated mission is to invest resources, facilitate collaboration, and promote philanthropy to make the region a better place to live and work. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Northwest Minnesota Foundation?
Northwest Minnesota Foundation has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
What is Northwest Minnesota Foundation's EIN?
Northwest Minnesota Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 41-1556013. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2025.
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 2024 (received by the IRS April 7, 2025)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS March 5, 2026)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS March 16, 2020)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS May 14, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS January 4, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS January 23, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS May 14, 2024)
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Northwest Minnesota Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Northwest Minnesota Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 15, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/northwest-minnesota-foundation-morg_811a6a1ef2d740248168bc79a7449b23
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_411556013_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Northwest Minnesota Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/northwest-minnesota-foundation-morg_811a6a1ef2d740248168bc79a7449b23},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-15. 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 Northwest Minnesota 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.
Northwest Minnesota Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?