Funding Amount

Varies

Deadline

Rolling / Open

Grant Type

foundation

Deadline history & next window

Cycle
Rolling — applications accepted year-round
Tracked since
April 2026

Source: the cycle recorded on this listing. Confirm dates with the funder.

Overview

Bemidji Area Parks and Trails Fund

Geographic Scope: Bemidji area, Minnesota

Program Description: A component fund of the Northwest Minnesota Foundation that provides grant funding support for parks, trails, and recreational amenities in the Bemidji area.

Focus Areas:

  • Parks maintenance and improvement

  • Trail development and maintenance

  • Recreational amenities

  • Historic landmark restoration
  • Notable Supported Projects:

  • Paul Bunyan Park waterfront improvements

  • Statue restoration and maintenance

  • Parks and trails system development

  • Disc golf course support

  • Walking, hiking, cycling, skiing, and snowshoe trails
  • Bemidji Parks System:

  • 11 parks total

  • Multiple trail systems (walking, hiking, cycling, skiing, snowshoe)

  • 18-hole disc golf course

  • Historic landmarks (Paul Bunyan and Babe the Blue Ox statues, constructed in 1937)
  • Funding: Supported by generous donors through contributions to the advisory-directed fund. The City of Bemidji Parks and Recreation Department also allocates budget for improvements.

    How to Support:

  • Visit www.nwmf.org and click on "ways to give"

  • Select "funds by county" and Beltrami County

  • Secure online giving available

  • Mail donations to: NMF – Bemidji Area Parks Fund, 201 3rd St. NW, Bemidji, MN 56601
  • Contact: Northwest Minnesota Foundation, 201 3rd Street NW, Bemidji, MN 56601, (218) 759-2057, 1-800-659-7859

    What Northwest Minnesota Foundation actually gave

    Source: IRS Form 990, 2025

    Grants in 2025
    89
    Total given
    $2.36M
    Median grant
    $16K
    Range
    $5,250–$201K
    • By dollars: Minnesota 99%, Hawaii <1%, North Dakota <1%. Top recipient cities: Bemidji, MN; Park Rapids, MN; Warroad, MN.
    • 7% of grants with a stated purpose were for general or operating support.

    Example grants

    • Catholic Charities of the Twin Cities Opportunity Center · Minneapolis, MN

      Minnesota engagement on shelter & housing

      $201K

    • Bemidji Area School District #31 · Bemidji, MN

      Bhs field improvement project, bemidji school district athletics

      $156K

    • Lifecare Medical Center · Roseau, MN

      To purchase trophon2 ultrasound probe disinfection device fo, update video…

      $120K

    • North Star Neighbors · Bemidji, MN

      To support organization's operations

      $102K

    • White Earth Nation · White Earth, MN

      White earth natural resource division youth internship progr

      $95K

    IRS Form 990, 2025. Amounts as reported by the funder. Full 990 history →

    Focus Areas & Funding Uses

    Fields of Work

    recreationcommunity-centerscapital

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