Funding Amount

Up to US $3,500

Deadline

Deadline not published

Grant Type

Foundation

Can we apply?

Check your organization against each line. Taken from the listing; confirm with the funder's guidelines.

Eligible organizations

  • Louis Counties (Duluth, Proctor, Hermantown areas), and the Grand Portage Native nation.

Geography

  • In the North Shore region
  • Located in or providing services to residents within Cook, Lake, and Southern St

Required status

  • 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status
  • An organization working with a 501(c)(3) nonprofit serving as the fiscal sponsor.

Overview

The Lloyd K. Johnson Foundation, established in 1975, provides grants under $3,500 to nonprofit organizations and public entities in the North Shore region. Focused on areas like social welfare, arts and culture, education, community development, and environmental protection, the Foundation has awarded over $18 million in grants. It aims to enhance opportunities for local residents, particularly those in low-income situations, and supports initiatives that foster long-term positive impacts.

About the Lloyd K. Johnson Foundation
Johnson Foundation expands opportunities for people and communities on the North Shore of Lake Superior.
Since establishing formal operations in 2007, the Foundation has awarded more than $18M in grants and $1M in scholarships.
Social Welfare
To support the health and well-being of all members of the community and to support activities that promote healthy youth development.
Arts and Culture
To support activities that contribute to the creation and development of a healthy and vibrant arts community including new and traditional forms of the visual, performing and interdisciplinary arts.
Education
To support activities that contribute to the development and advancement of quality educational and training opportunities, and to promote opportunities for life-long learning.
Community and Economic Development
To enhance the economic and social well-being of all residents and to support opportunities for economic self-sufficiency, particularly for individuals and families with low incomes.
Environment
To support educational programs that promote respect for the natural environment and encourage efforts to maintain quality air, water and land resources for future generations.
How We Fund
We provide grants in several categories to support organizations in achieving their goals:

  • Types of Grant Support

General OperatingUnrestricted funding that allows an organization to carry out its mission.Project/Program SupportFunds are designated to a specific project or program.Capacity BuildingFunds are designated toward strengthening skills or building resources.Capital SupportFunds are used specifically for purchasing, renovating, or construction of facilities/equipment.
Length of Grant Period
The length of each grant will vary based on the individual request and grant needs.For most grants, the grant period will be one calendar year, beginning on the first day of the month after the grant is awarded.For project requests, the grant period will align with the project timeline and will start no earlier than the first day of the month following the grant award date.

Eligibility

Organizations applying for grants must be designated as one of the following:Nonprofit organization with 501(c)(3) designation by the IRSA public entity such as a school district, local unit of government, or Native NationAn organization working with a 501(c)(3) nonprofit serving as the fiscal sponsorOrganizations must be located in or providing services to residents within Cook, Lake, and Southern St. Louis Counties (Duluth, Proctor, Hermantown areas), and the Grand Portage Native nation.

What Lloyd K Johnson Foundation actually gave

Source: IRS Form 990-PF, 2025

Grants in 2025
72
Total given
$2.75M
Median grant
$15K
Range
$500–$1.26M
  • By dollars: Minnesota >99%, Wisconsin <1%. Top recipient cities: Duluth, MN; Grand Marais, MN; St. Paul, MN.
  • 8% of grants with a stated purpose were for general or operating support.
  • 31% of recipients were new grantees, not repeat recipients.

Example grants

  • Grand Portage Band of Lake Superior · Grand Portage, MN

    To support land restoration costs fo

    $1.26M

  • Sawtooth Mountain Clinic · Grand Marais, MN

    New electronic health records system

    $130K

  • Cook County Schools- ISD 166 · Grand Marais, MN

    Playground improvements and ada-comp

    $100K

  • Lake Superior College · Duluth, MN

    Scholarships

    $74K

  • Cook County Higher Education · Grand Marais, MN

    Tuition scholarships for cook county

    $70K

IRS Form 990-PF, 2025. Amounts as reported by the funder. Full 990 history →

Focus Areas & Funding Uses

Fields of Work

  • Nonprofits
  • Arts
  • Education
  • Community development
  • Small grants

Categories

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