Community Foundation Annual Grants

Community Foundation Annual Grants

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: Grand Rapids Area Community Foundation
Last Updated: October 09, 2025

Summary

The Grand Rapids Area Community Foundation, established in 1994, aims to enhance the quality of life in the Greater Itasca Area through philanthropic efforts. Governed by a dedicated Board of Directors, the foundation awards grants to nonprofits addressing local needs across various sectors, including education and the arts. With over 30 years of experience, it connects generous donors with community needs, fostering collaboration and compassion to create lasting, positive change.

Overview

The Grand Rapids Area Community Foundation was established in 1994 by concerned business and community leaders to help local citizens contribute to the community to improve the quality of life in this area. The Grand Rapids Area Community Foundation is one of only 700 community foundations in the United States. We are a nonprofit public charity whose purpose is to have a positive impact through philanthropy in all sectors of the community and manage a collection of funds initiated by individuals, corporations and community service organizations to benefit the geographical area around Itasca County, Minnesota.The Grand Rapids Area Community Foundation is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors who live and work in the Itasca County area, who are knowledgeable about their communities, and who are committed to ensuring that the spirit and the intent of each gift is honored. Each year, the Foundation awards grants to nonprofit organizations and community groups working to strengthen the Greater Itasca Area, which includes Itasca County and surrounding areas. If your organization is addressing local needs—whether through education, human services, the arts, environment, or other areas of impact—we invite you to apply. For 30+ years, the Grand Rapids Area Community Foundation has been connecting generous donors to the region’s needs to create lasting, local change. Our Mission We strive to build a stronger community by mobilizing generosity around the needs of the people in the greater Itasca area. Our Vision Generosity gives everyone the opportunity to thrive. Our Values Integrity: We do what’s right – legally and morally.Trust: We earn confidence through demonstrated actions.Stewardship: We watch over, maintain, and accept full responsibility with regard to managed funds and Foundation affairs.Collaboration: We embrace the value of partnerships and shared input.Compassion: We care about our community members and respect their individual differences, diversity, and opinions. What is a Community Foundation?A Community Foundation is a nonprofit, public charity, whose purpose is to impact a geographical area through grants. They create funds that help their community meet the challenge of changing times by investing and administering these funds. Grant money for these funds comes from individuals, businesses, private foundations and community service organizations.   The financial resources from these groups are invested and then brought back to the community.What is the difference between a private and public foundation?Most of the funds in a private foundation come from one source, whether an individual, a family or a corporation. A public foundation, in contrast, receives its assets from multiple sources.  The Grand Rapids Area Community Foundation is a public foundation. Who invests the money?The Community Foundation relies on a knowledgeable Finance and Stewardship Committee to oversee Foundation investments  made by professional investment managers. The Foundation has an investment policy which managers follow. How is the Foundation accountable to the public?As a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, the Community Foundation files reports with the Minnesota Attorney General’s Office.  The Foundation also has an annual audit performed by a CPA firm and files the required 990 with the IRS.  All of this information is available to the public.

Eligibility

You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website.