Birdies4Brains Grant Program

Geographic Scope: Minnesota

Focus Areas: Financial assistance for brain injury survivors experiencing financial hardship

Background

Birdies4Brains raises money to award grants to brain injury survivors experiencing financial hardship. The organization was founded by Stillwater native Brian Eder after his sister, Christine Erickson, almost died from a brain aneurysm in 2009.

Eligibility

• Primary Requirement: Brain injury survivor (acquired or traumatic brain injury)
• Secondary Requirement: Experiencing specific financial need as a result of the brain injury
• Nominees can be suggested by medical professionals, family/friends, or self-referral
• Nominee consent required before nomination submission

What Grants Support

Grants can be customized for specific goals and may include (but not limited to):

• Overdue bills
• Medical equipment
• Home repairs
• Gas and groceries
• Therapy services
• Mobility equipment (e.g., electric tricycles)
• Other needs resulting from brain injury

Award Process

• Board meets monthly to review grant submissions
• Grants are customized to accomplish specific goals unique to each brain injury survivor

Contact Information

Mailing Address: 3432 Denmark Ave #235, Eagan, MN 55123-1088

Registered Charity ID: 81-4006348

How to Apply

1. Complete the Grant Nomination Form on the Birdies4Brains website
2. Nominee Contact Information (Required)
   • First Name
   • Last Name
   • Email
   • Mobile Phone
   • Street Address (and optional Line 2)
   • City, State, Zip Code
3. Nominator Contact Information (Required)
   • First Name
   • Last Name
   • Mobile Phone
   • Email
   • How you heard about Birdies4Brains Grant (select from: Past Grant Recipient, Medical Professional, Family/Friend, Birdies4Brains Website, Social Media, Other)
4. Grant Proposal Details (Required)
   • Estimated Grant Amount (select: <$1,000 | $1,000-$5,000 | $5,000-$10,000 | >$10,000)
   • Nominee consent status (confirm whether nominee knows about nomination and contact preferences)
5. Narrative Section - In the submission space, include:
   • (1) Brain Injury Story Summary: Type of brain injury sustained, when and how it happened, and recovery experience to date
   • (2) Grant Use Summary: Detailed explanation of how grant funds would be used (examples: overdue bills, medical equipment, home repairs, gas, groceries, therapy services)
   • (3) Supporting Documentation: Upload copies of relevant documents
6. Supporting Documents (Optional but recommended)
   • Copies of overdue bills
   • Service and/or equipment cost estimates
   • Receipts
   • Other relevant supporting materials
   • File Limits: Maximum 4 image files (jpg, png) and maximum 4 document files (pdf)
7. Submit the completed form
8. Review Timeline: Board meets monthly to review grant submissions