How much funding does Building Better Lives Grants provide?

The listing does not state a funding amount. Check the funder's announcement for specifics.

When is the deadline for Building Better Lives Grants?

The funder has not published a deadline for this grant.

How often is Building Better Lives Grants offered?

Building Better Lives Grants runs on an annual cycle.

Building Better Lives Grants

Northwest Minnesota Foundation

Foundation Annual Grants for Nonprofits Child Care Grants Housing Grants for Nonprofits Grants for Homeless

Funding Amount

Not stated

Deadline

Deadline not published

Grant Type

Foundation

Deadline history & next window

Cycle: Annual
Tracked since: April 2026

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

Overview

Geographic Scope: Northwest Minnesota (12-county service area)

Program Description: Part of NMF's strategic framework focused on building better lives in the region. The foundation has shifted to a bolder and more focused approach with enhanced resources and solutions that enable individuals and communities to reach their full potential.

Focus Areas:

Children and Families strengthening
Child care capacity building
Housing development
Community revitalization
Ending homelessness
Youth engagement

Key Priorities:

Address housing shortage (goal: create 1,500 additional housing units by 2024)
Expand child care capacity (goal: add 1,000 child care slots in the region in six years)
Support youth homelessness initiatives (initial deep dive in Beltrami County)
Promote collective impact framework for community-led solutions
Serve high-need communities with higher poverty rates and disparity gaps

Values:

Equity for all in the region
Cultural support and effectiveness for all populations
Strategic collaboration
Integrity and responsibility
Community leadership development

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.
48% of recipients were new grantees, not repeat recipients.

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