Itasca Area Community Response Fund
Funding Amount
Not stated
Deadline
Rolling (quarterly review)
Grant Type
Foundation
Deadline history & next window
- Cycle
- Rolling — applications accepted year-round
- Tracked since
- April 2026
From the program guidelines: “Applications reviewed on a rolling basis in multiple rounds”
Can we apply?
Check your organization against each line. Taken from the listing; confirm with the funder's guidelines.
Other requirements
- Access to food and health-related services
- Services for vulnerable populations such as seniors
- Aid for those experiencing homelessness
- Support for learning and childcare needs
Overview
Administrators: United Way of 1000 Lakes and Grand Rapids Area Community Foundation
Program Type: COVID-19 emergency relief and community recovery fund
Launch Date: April 2020
Geographic Scope: Itasca County and five surrounding communities:
- Bena (Cass County)
- Blackduck (Beltrami County)
- Hill City (Aitkin County)
- Northome (Koochiching County)
- Remer (Cass County)
Funding Purpose:
Provides rapid relief to organizations addressing:
- COVID-19 specific needs including:
- Basic needs relief for struggling families and individuals
- Mental and physical health support
- Programs for children and students impacted by school closures
- Rent assistance for those out of work
- Nutrition barrier support
- Safe, socially-distant shelter
- Longer-term recovery efforts from pandemic effects
- Operating support for nonprofits unable to fundraise due to event cancellations
Eligible Service Areas:
- Access to food and health-related services
- Services for vulnerable populations such as seniors
- Aid for those experiencing homelessness
- Support for learning and childcare needs
Fund Growth:
As of June 2020, the fund had raised over $171,000 through donations from individuals, foundations, and businesses.
Donor Partners:
- Bigfork Valley Community Foundation
- Blandin Foundation
- Deer River Area Health Care Foundation
- Essentia Health
- Grand Itasca Foundation
- Grand Rapids Area Community Foundation
- Itasca Community College Foundation
- Lake Country Power Round Up
- Minnesota Power Foundation
- United Way of 1000 Lakes
Advisory Committee Members:
- Bigfork Valley Community Foundation
- Blandin Foundation
- Deer River Area Health Care Foundation
- Grand Itasca Foundation
- Itasca Community College Foundation
- Minnesota Power Foundation
Grant Distribution Philosophy:
- Maximum flexibility and responsiveness
- Brief applications
- Minimal reporting requirements
- Quick turnaround between application submission and fund disbursement
- 100% of donations go directly to organizations serving those in need (no administrative fees)
Contact Information:
- Kim Brink Smith, United Way Executive Director
- Phone: 218-999-7570
- Email: info@uwlakes.org
- Address: 350 NW 1st Ave., Suite A, Grand Rapids, MN 55744
- Grand Rapids Area Community Foundation: (218) 999-9100
- Sarah Copeland, Community Foundation contact: sarah.copeland@gracf.org
How to Apply
Application Process
Submission Method:
- Online applications through Community Foundation's Grant Portal
- Access via Community Foundation website Grants & Getting Help page at gracf.org
Application Format:
- Brief application (minimal burden on organizations)
- Minimal reporting requirements
Review and Decision:
- Applications reviewed on a rolling basis in multiple rounds
- Advisory committee of local funders reviews applications
- Quick turnaround time anticipated between application closing and fund disbursement
Funding Rounds:
- First round deadline: July 15, 2020
- Second round: Applications opened August 2020 (ongoing rolling basis)
- Ongoing: Accepts applications on rolling basis as long as funds available
Submission Portal: gracf.org (Community Foundation's Grant Portal)
What United Way of 1000 Lakes actually gave
Source: IRS Form 990, 2025
- Grants in 2025
- 11
- Total given
- $121K
- Median grant
- $10K
- Range
- $5,500–$20K
- By dollars: Minnesota 100%. Top recipient cities: Grand Rapids, MN; Minneapolis, MN.
Example grants
Smart North · Minneapolis, MN
$20K
Itasca County Family YMCA · Grand Rapids, MN
$15K
Itasca County Habitat for Humanity · Grand Rapids, MN
$15K
Itasca Youth for Christ · Grand Rapids, MN
$10K
Boys & Girls Clubs of Northland · Grand Rapids, MN
$10K
Focus Areas & Funding Uses
Fields of Work
- Nonprofits
- Disaster relief
- Hunger
- Food security
- Homeless
- Mental health
- Child care
- Operating support
Categories
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