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Initiators Fellowship Program

NORTHWEST MINNESOTA FOUNDATION

Foundation Annual Grants for StartupsSocial Justice Grants
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Funding Amount

Varies

Deadline

May 24, 2026

47 days left

Grant Type

foundation

Overview

Initiators Fellowship Program

Geographic Scope: Greater Minnesota (53 counties) and six Native Nations (Red Lake, White Earth, and others)

Program Description: A program for emerging social entrepreneurs launched by the Initiative Foundation in 2016. The program has expanded to include the Northwest Minnesota Foundation and is now available to applicants from Greater Minnesota.

Eligible Areas:

  • NMF's 12-county service area

  • Two Native nations: Red Lake and White Earth

  • Additional partnership counties through Initiative Foundation, Southwest Initiative Foundation, and West Central Initiative

  • Total: 53 Greater Minnesota counties and six Native Nations

    • Focus: Social entrepreneurship and emerging social enterprises

    Funding Support: Made possible by:

  • Granite Partners (stock donations exceeding $4 million in the Initiators Fund, generating annual dividends)

  • $1.2 million additional stock donation from Granite Partners (2021)

  • Bush Foundation

  • Sourcewell

    • Key Partner Organizations:

  • Initiative Foundation

  • Southwest Initiative Foundation

  • West Central Initiative

  • Northwest Minnesota Foundation

    • Contact: For information or eligibility quiz inquiries, visit greaterminnesota.net/fellows or contact Northwest Minnesota Foundation, 201 3rd Street NW, Bemidji, MN 56601, (218) 759-2057, 1-800-659-7859

    How to Apply

    Application Process

    1. Eligibility: Complete the online eligibility quiz at greaterminnesota.net/fellows
    2. Application Timeline: Applications for 2022-2023 cohort opened May 24, 2021
    3. Application Portal: greaterminnesota.net/fellows

    Note: Detailed application requirements and submission materials not provided in available content.

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    Focus Areas & Funding Uses

    Fields of Work

    startupssocial-justice

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