Welcoming Communities Grant

Overview

Welcoming Communities Grant

The Northwest Minnesota Foundation is now accepting grant applications to promote equity-focused welcoming and inclusion initiatives, leading to more welcoming communities in our region.

Efforts should be intentionally focused on improving the inclusion of newcomers with priority to immigrant and refugee belonging efforts. Initiatives should result in a stronger culture and policy environment where all residents feel empowered to work with each other in strengthening the social, civic, and economic fabric.

Grants may fund cultural inclusion initiatives, cultural equity and access programs, community events, collaborative work, technical assistance, travel, or other efforts as defined by the applicant that advance welcoming communities and equitable rural belonging.

Eligibility

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Application Details

NORTHWEST MINNESOTA FOUNDATION
REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS version 2.01.2025
WELCOMING COMMUNITIES
PURPOSE & PROJECT SUMMARY
The Northwest Minnesota Foundation seeks to support nonprofit, governmental, and public
organizations addressing equity-focused welcoming and belonging initiatives in our region.
We are specifically looking for projects contributing to more Welcoming Communities.
Efforts should be intentionally focused on improving the inclusion of newcomers, with priority
to immigrant and refugee belonging efforts. Initiatives should result in a stronger culture and
policy environment where all residents feel empowered to work with each other in
strengthening the social, civic, and economic fabric.
Examples of such efforts could include:
a. Building connections and trust between residents (facilitating opportunities and
spaces for immigrant and non-immigrant residents to have constructive interactions,
develop relationships, and deepen their understanding of one another)
b. Furthering cooperation among institutions including local government, businesses,
faith communities, and nonprofits to identify and address newcomer and
underrepresented needs, including gaps in services and access to services, particularly
in the areas of housing, health, transportation, financial services, and the justice
system.
c. Supporting immigrant and refugee rights including legal services, legal education
and outreach, advocacy, and crisis response.
ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS / GEOGRAPHY
501c3 nonprofits, public agencies, and tribal organizations located within the Northwest
Minnesota Foundation service area that includes Red Lake Nation, White Earth Nation, and
12 counties (Beltrami, Clearwater, Hubbard, Kittson, Lake of the Woods, Mahnomen,
Marshall, Norman, Pennington, Polk, Red Lake, and Roseau).
TIMELINE
Open February 14, 2025, closing March 10, 2025.
Expected awards will range from $2,500 to $10,000.
ELIGIBLE EXPENSES
Expenses may include, but are not limited to, cultural inclusion initiatives, cultural equity and
access programs, community events, collaborative work, technical assistance, or other efforts
as defined by the applicant that advance welcoming communities and equitable rural
belonging. We strongly recommend that applicants do not seek funding for one-time events.

INELIGIBLE EXPENSES
Grants cannot fund political activities, religious activities, discriminatory practices, past
operating debts, legal fees, or similar activities. This fund will not consider applications for
fundraising planning, feasibility studies, membership or subscription dues, computer license
fees, financial audits, building construction, or capital campaigns.
PROJECT REQUIREMENTS
• Share progress reports, media coverage, social media campaigns, and other relevant
updates with NMF.
• Share impact stories related to the project.
• Participate in peer-to-peer learning opportunities.
HOW TO APPLY:
• STEP 1: REGISTER OR LOGIN TO THE NMF GRANTS WEB PORTAL
Access the NMF Web Portal registration and login page:
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 NMF Grants Web Portal - Sign In Bookmark this tab
(If you have used our portal before, skip to Step 2!)
Create a Username and Password – Store this info! You will need it each time you
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log in or out and if you apply for other NMF grants in the future. You can also
“Save” your work and log in/out as needed to work on your grant application(s).
New registrations have to be manually approved by NMF staff and can take up to
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one business day for approval. You will receive an email notification when you have
been approved. Please reach out if it has been more than 24 hours and you have
not received notification of your approval.
• STEP 2: SELECT GRANT
Once logged in, you will be taken to the “Welcome Grant Applicant” page.
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Select the grant you are applying for: Welcoming Communities 2025
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• STEP 3: FILL OUT & SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION
Fill out all questions and required fields under each tab.
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You will receive auto-confirmation when you submit your application.
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Applications must be submitted by March 10th, 2025.
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If you experience technical difficulties or need to submit a paper application, please
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send an email to grants@nwmf.org
• WEB PORTAL NOTES & TIPS:
You must use Google Chrome as your internet browser on a laptop or desktop
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computer. Accessing the portal will not work on smartphones and tablets.
“Save” your work as you go! You will be able to login and out of the portal and work
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on your application when you have time, please “Save” periodically.
Web Portal auto-correspondences come from frontdesk@nwmf.org.
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Add this email to your contact list and check your “Junk Mail” folder for emails as
they may be sent there due to email filters. PDFs work best for any files uploaded
as supporting documents.

CONTACT
If you have questions about the review process or need assistance, please e-mail or call Kristin
Anderson, Program Officer, at kristina@nwmf.org, 218-558-5331.
Northwest Minnesota Foundation is an equal opportunity provider and employer.