Communities Thrive Program
Funding Amount
$100,000 (total allocation per community over two years)
Deadline
Deadline not published
Grant Type
Foundation
Overview
Geographic Scope: Northwest Minnesota region, with initial focus on selected communities (Warroad and Halstad selected in December 2018)
Program Description: A "deep dive" program in a small number of communities to help them capitalize on the "Brain Gain" trend in ways that best fit their unique community, ultimately building on the strengths and diversity within the region. The program uses place-making and planning approaches to support community vitality.
Focus Areas:
- Community revitalization
- Place-making and planning
- Community vitality initiatives
Funding: NMF allocated a total of $100,000 in grant funding through Communities Thrive to support projects in Warroad over the two-year program. In January 2020, NMF awarded $50,000 to projects including:
- City improvements (softball field, LEGO Club goose waste project)
- Youth programs (Kidpreneur program, recreation activities)
- Community cultural initiatives (Indian Education Cultural Programming, Folk School startup)
- Recreation amenities (portable playground)
- Community events and signage
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
Focus Areas & Funding Uses
Fields of Work
- Community development
- Youth programs
- Capacity building
Categories
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Based on past cycles
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