Building Better Lives Grant

The Building Better Lives Grant, offered by the Northwest Minnesota Foundation, aims to empower local leaders and communities through innovative, community-led solutions. By prioritizing engagement, collaboration, equity, and sustainability, the grant supports projects that strengthen families, promote health and wellness, cultivate welcoming communities, enhance economic mobility, and build nonprofit capacity. Together, these efforts contribute to a more resilient and thriving region.

The Northwest Minnesota Foundation
From grants, loans, and scholarships to business consulting and local giving, we’re here to guide and support donors and recipients alike.
Building Better Lives Grants
Through Northwest Minnesota Foundation (NMF) Building Better Lives grants, we empower our neighbors and local leaders to build a stronger, more resilient region.
Funding Priorities
Strengthening families: Organizations and programs supporting the wellbeing of families by providing direct services and basic needs including housing assistance, food, transportation, elder care, and childcare.Mental and/or physical health and wellness: Organizations and programs that provide accessible and responsive mental or physical health services, especially for populations that face barriers to service.Cultivating welcoming communities: Organizations and programs that bring people together to bridge across differences, provide education, encourage meaningful participation, and strengthen social cohesion, especially for Indigenous and immigrant populations.Economic mobility and workforce development: Organizations and programs that help people move toward living wages, create pathways to build generational wealth, and provide entrepreneurship support.Nonprofit capacity building: Organizations and programs working to build their internal capacity to serve the community more effectively through staff and board training, leadership development, technology improvements, and other activities that strengthen long-term sustainability.