Northfield Shares Competitive Grants Program

Geographic Scope: Northfield, Minnesota area

Funder: Northfield Shares, a community foundation centered on philanthropy, volunteerism and collaborative leadership

Contact:

• Phone: 507-403-9755
• Email: info@northfieldshares.org
• Address: 158 N Water St., Suite 1, Northfield, MN 55057
• Mailing: P.O. Box 802, Northfield, MN 55057-0802

Program Overview

Northfield Shares advances its mission by awarding grants to organizations working to enhance the Northfield community. Grants are awarded to tax-exempt institutions or agencies for projects that create long-term solutions, enhance the overall well-being of the community and generate the biggest multiplier effect.

Funding Sources

Grants are funded by multiple endowment funds within Northfield Shares, including:

• Undesignated endowment funds (flexible use)
• Field of interest funds (e.g., community beautification, youth development)
• Donor-designated funds
• The Ames Fund of The Minneapolis Foundation

Historical grant amounts: In 2018-2019, Northfield Shares awarded 10 grants totaling $66,467 to nine area nonprofits. In 2024-2025, Northfield Shares awarded grant funding to local nonprofits (specific amount not detailed in provided content).

Focus Areas

While most endowed funds do not restrict project types or organizations, some have targeted areas of focus designated by donors:

• Community beautification projects (e.g., Nutting Beautification Fund)
• Youth and young adults - projects supporting youth to reach their full potential
• General community enhancement

Grant Selection Criteria

The Grants Committee scores applications on whether the request:

1. Responds to a community need or opportunity
2. Encourages coordination and cooperation between and among organizations
3. Encourages volunteerism and includes the involvement of stakeholders in implementation
4. Generates and/or leverages other funds and resources in the Northfield area
5. Provides long-term solutions to problems and/or permanent impacts on the Northfield area

Example Recipients

Past grant recipients have included:

• Northfield Promise ("On the Move" transportation initiative)
• Age Friendly Northfield Initiative
• Girl Scouts of Minnesota and Wisconsin River Valleys
• HealthFinders Collaborative
• Northfield in Bloom
• Northfield Youth Sports Collaborative
• Project Friendship
• Rice County Neighbors United
• Community Action Center of Northfield

Historical Impact

Since the 2007-2008 grant cycle, Northfield Shares has provided more than $553,000 in funding to local nonprofit organizations (as of 2019). By 2018, nearly $1.3 million was awarded to nonprofits through Northfield Shares' named endowment funds and donors.

Application Timeline

• Application Opens: September 1
• Application Deadline: October 15
• Grant Final Reports Due: September 30 (for prior cycle recipients)

Application Process

Timeline:

• Applications open: September 1
• Deadline: October 15
• Grants Committee reviews applications and scores them
• Grant decisions announced
• Final reports due by September 30 (for recipients from prior cycle)

Submission:

• Apply online at northfieldshares.org/grants

Application Materials:
The specific required documents are not detailed in the provided content, but applicants should be prepared to demonstrate:

• How their project responds to a community need or opportunity
• How the project encourages coordination and cooperation between organizations
• How volunteerism and stakeholder involvement will be incorporated
• How the project will generate and/or leverage other funds and resources
• How the project will provide long-term solutions and/or permanent impacts

Scoring Rubric:
Applications are evaluated on the five criteria listed above.

Reporting:
Grant recipients must submit a Grant Final Report by September 30 following the grant year.