A FUTURE WHERE EVERYONE CAN THRIVE

Community Opportunity Fund

The Community Opportunity Fund is the heart of our work at Boreal Waters. It’s how we unite generosity across the region to spark bold ideas, strengthen local nonprofits, and create lasting change for communities across northeastern Minnesota and northwestern Wisconsin.

As our region’s permanent civic endowment, the Fund directs resources where they’re needed most—supporting transformative, collaborative projects that help communities thrive, even in times of challenge. And it’s made possible by people like you.
DONATE2026 community opportunity fund awards
Cast Outdoor Adventures
Ely, MN

2026 Community Opportunity Fund Grant Awards

Minnesota

Aitkin, Carlton, Cook, Itasca, Koochiching, Lake, St. Louis

Wisconsin

Ashland, Bayfield, Douglas, Iron, Price

Tribal Nations

Mashkiiziibii - Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Zagaakwaandagowininiwag - Bois Forte Band of Chippewa
‍Nah-Gah-Chi-Wa-Nong - Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa
‍Gichi Onigaming - Grand Portage Band of Lake Superior Chippewa
‍Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe
Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe, Gaa-Miskwaabikaang - Red Cliff Band of Lake Superior Chippewa

community impact in action

Through the Community Opportunity Fund, $16 Million Has Been Awarded To Over 500 Organizations.

Collective generosity is the engine behind this impact. With your support,
nonprofits are:

  • Collaborating across sectors
  • Tackling complex challenges
  • Building long-term, sustainable solutions
  • From early childhood development to climate resilience, from economic opportunity to inclusive cultural spaces, this fund brings people and ideas together to shape a brighter future.
Family Freedom Center
Duluth, MN
Hibbing Senior Center
Hibbing, MN
Volunteers in education
Virginia, MN

focusing on solutions

Investing In Four
Interconnected Areas

In 2023, we restructured the Community Opportunity Fund to more powerfully address the evolving needs of our region. With an expanded focus and larger, more flexible grants, we’re helping nonprofits move from short-term fixes to long-term solutions.

Opportunity

Projects that empower individuals to achieve economic stability and independence.

Resilience

Projects that enhance the ability of organizations, families, or communities to anticipate, adapt to, and recover from challenges, creating sustainable, long-term solutions that reduce risk and promote resilience.

Belonging

Creating spaces and opportunities where all people are valued, heard, and are able to thrive. Projects amplify voices, foster creative expression, and create a vibrant, inclusive culture.

Transformation

Elevating Opportunity, Resilience or Belonging initiatives to a transformative level by emphasizing collaboration, upstream focus, and long-term sustainability.
Rooted in trust, the Community Opportunity Fund invests in those who know their communities best—and walks alongside them as they lead the way.

2026 Fund Contributors

Thank You To
Our Community Fund Donors

We’re deeply grateful to the families, businesses, and foundations who make this collective impact possible. Your generosity is transforming lives and building stronger communities every day.
Alberta Fund
Anonymous
Anonymous Friend Fund
Barnum Fund
Business Leaders Fund
Campbell Family Charitable Fund
Candace Madich
Carolyn Joy Seitz Family Fund
C.E., Jr. and M.K. Fuller Fund
Cleveland-Cliffs Inc.
Cleveland-Cliffs Inc.
Cleveland Family Fund
Community Leaders Fund
Dr. and Mrs. Bernhard Boecker Charitable Fund
Dr. John Schrock and Mary Berube
Dr. William and Kay Slack Family Fund
Erick Peter Person Memorial Fund
Eric Walter Nolander
Family Service Sharing Fund
Franconia Minerals US LLC
G. Kendall Smith Fund
Hazel B. and A. Wallace Niss Charitable Fund
Holly C. Sampson Fund for Community Initiatives
Hubert D. and Mildred S. Wheeler Family Fund
H+U Construction
Janet and Melvyn Magree
Jeffrey and Jill Widness Fund
J. L. Kelly Family Fund
John and JoAnn Congdon
John C. and Margaret B. Hunner Memorial Fund
Jonathan M. Kuchera
Katherine Van Vleck Field
Kong Xiong
Lanesa Bejnarowicz
Lee Francisco
Levin/Goldfine Fund
Living Legacy Fund
Lori Halgren Johnson and Daniel A. Johnson
Lurene Buhrmann
Marlys Wisch
Michael John Millios
Mitchell J. and Elva B. Sill Family Fund
Moline Family Fund
Ojard Family Fund
Opportunity Rising Fund
P.L.B. Memorial Fund
Richard Burns
Robert, Gwen, Blake and Conner Erickson Family Fund
Russell Mattson
Ruth H. Richards Fund
Sacred Saturdaze LLC
Second Chance Endowment Fund
Smith Danielson Family Fund
The White Pine Fund
Todd, Susan, Matthew and Hilary Johnson 2007 Charitable Fund
Walter and Irene Lundquist Family Fund
Weckwerth-Sampson Family Fund
Wildey H. Mitchell Family Fund
William, Florence and Dorothy Burns Family Fund
William G. Strobel, M.D., Family Fund
Young Leaders Fund

Give Where You Live.
Create Change That Lasts.

When you give to the Community Opportunity Fund, you're not just donating—you’re investing in the people, places, and possibilities of this region we all call home.
DONATE

THe Latest

Community Opportunity Fund Stories

Over $933,000 Awarded to Support Community-Led Solutions Across the Northland

September 23, 2026
Boreal Waters Community Foundation awards $933,000 to local nonprofits to create opportunity, build belonging, and promote resilience in the places we call home.
September 23, 2026
Read

Boreal Waters Awards $300,000 Transformation Grant to Support Pathway Forward

June 23, 2026
Pathway Forward brings Union Gospel Mission, Damiano Center and Chum together to strengthen services for people moving from crisis to stability.
June 23, 2026
Read

World on Water: Where Learning Comes Alive

January 7, 2026
When you step into Mrs. Thwaits’ classroom at Winterquist Elementary in Esko, Minnesota, the first thing you notice isn’t the desks or the whiteboard, it’s the water.
January 7, 2026
Read
Discover More Community stories