The Animal-Assisted Therapy Fund supports programs that use animal-assisted therapy to help people of all ages facing mental, emotional, or psychological challenges. Established in memory of Cordelia Anne Brinton, the fund emphasizes therapeutic work where animals are active participants in healing, not just companions. It prioritizes initiatives where both humans and animals are thoughtfully cared for and where the interaction fosters meaningful emotional and behavioral growth. Grants from this fund may support a wide range of programs, such as teaching individuals how to interact with animals to promote emotional development, expanding understanding of personal challenges through animal connections, or providing mental health services that integrate animal-assisted therapy. Eligible organizations may also offer structured, goal-oriented sessions in partnership with professionals, or rescue and rehabilitate animals for therapeutic use.

To build understanding of and respect for Anishinabe knowledge and culture. The fund seeks to center Anishinabe people in the incorporation of their knowledge within collaborative efforts to improve communities throughout the Northland.The Anishinabe Fund encourages co-sponsorship and co-funding of projects. Applications that extract or exploit Anishinabe knowledge, culture or traditions will not be considered.

Grant awards support projects that respond to the evolving needs of the La Pointe-Bayfield-Red Cliff region in areas such as the arts, environment, civic engagement, youth and family services, human rights, and adult education. Priority is given to initiatives that strengthen community connections, encourage organizational collaboration, and address root causes of local issues. Projects that require modest funding but offer significant impact, as well as new efforts needing start-up support, are also favored.While the fund may provide more than one year of support for new or stabilizing programs, it does not offer permanent or long-term funding. Requests for capital expenses, equipment purchases, or ongoing program support are generally low priority and unlikely to receive funding from unrestricted grant sources.Additionally, the fund does not support activities typically handled by government agencies, debt payments, endowments, fundraising efforts, or grants for individuals. Other ineligible areas include organizations focused on lobbying, political campaigns, direct religious activities, or medical research.

The Apostle Islands Area Human Rights Fund supports efforts to promote tolerance, understanding and respect for all and to combat bigotry and discrimination by engaging people in dialogue, discussion, relationship-building, cross-cultural awareness and interaction. The advisory board recommends grants from the Human Rights Fund. Applications are invited for projects that impact human rights in the Bayfield-Madeline Island-Red Cliff/Gaa-Miskwaabikaang region and fall within one or more of the following categories: Education, Mediation and conflict resolution, and Celebrations The fund will consider applications for community intervention or emergency-response grants to address specific incidents. The fund accepts such applications at any time of the year. Intervention or emergency response grants follow the same application procedure, with decisions as soon as possible. The fund prioritizes projects that clearly identify their purpose—such as education, mediation, celebration, or conflict resolution—and address a specific issue. Successful proposals will demonstrate how the project promotes tolerance, combats discrimination, raises awareness, fosters understanding, or helps heal harm caused by bias. Projects should also show that the organization has the capacity to deliver the work effectively and present a realistic budget with a clear funding plan.

The mission of Ben Van Deelen Charitable Fund is to provide funding for the prevention, treatment, and study of mental illness and substance use disorders in youth and young adults, with a focus on funding in the communities of Duluth, Hermantown, Proctor, and Superior, and the immediate surrounding areas. Projects that are co-sponsored or co-funded (e.g., by corporations, other regional foundations, by individuals and by organizations, local, national or international) will receive priority.Examples of projects that may be supported include services that prevent or treat mental illness and substance use disorders in youth and young adults, as well as support for their families. Funding may also go toward training providers in prevention or treatment methods, or to initiate or expand research related to these issues in young people.

The Biodiversity Fund supports projects that preserve and restore habitats, assist vulnerable species and ecosystems, plan for environmental change, and promote research and education in the Duluth-Superior region. The fund aims to protect the region's biodiversity for the benefit of future generations. Proposals should clearly describe the project's value, goals, expected methods, and how success will be measured. If the project includes multiple components, each part should address these points individually.Examples of eligible projects include habitat restoration, invasive species control, and land or watershed protection through conservation efforts or easements. The fund also supports projects that involve community members in hands-on restoration work, promote native landscaping, or use innovative methods to raise awareness and encourage public engagement with biodiversity issues. Planning for climate change, monitoring species at risk, and improving land management practices are also valued.

To assist agencies that directly help low-income people cope with their basic needs and problems. Grants are restricted to agencies serving communities bounded on the west by Coleraine and the east by Mountain Iron. Priority will be given to organizations which demonstrate financial need and programmatic merit. Grants for equipment purchases or capital improvements are usually not funded. Special projects and general operating support will be considered.

The Chequamegon Bay Area Community Funds support projects that address the evolving needs of Washburn, Ashland, and Bad River in the areas of arts, community and economic development, education, environment, and human services. The Apostle Islands-Chequamegon Bay Advisory Board may shift focus among these areas based on emerging needs. Priority is given to projects that foster collaboration, address root causes of community challenges, support civic or policy research, require start-up funding, or enhance organizational capacity—all while delivering meaningful impact with moderate funding.Grants from these unrestricted funds are not intended for permanent or long-term support, though multi-year funding may be considered to help stabilize new or particularly impactful programs. Capital and equipment purchases, as well as ongoing program support, are generally low priority and unlikely to be funded.The fund does not support endowments, religious activities, medical research, fundraising efforts, or debt payments. Grants are also not awarded to individuals, political campaigns, lobbying organizations, or projects that fall under typical government responsibilities.

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. Examples are: Elevates diverse voices and perspectives, particularly those from historically marginalized communities. Embraces the common humanity of all individuals. Implements practices that increase connection, respect, and safety. Strengthens community bonds and promotes equity for all.

Projects empower individuals to achieve economic stability and independence. Examples are: Expands access to affordable housing, Creates jobs that pay a living wage, Supports wealth-building opportunities, Provides access to high-quality education, Strengthens economic well-being through essential support services

Projects must 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.Examples include: Leveraging partnerships and resources to implement scalable, lasting solutions that strengthen community resilience. Expanding access to knowledge, training, and tools that improve economic, social, or environmental stability for individuals and families. Developing community-driven solutions that address housing stability, food security, workforce resilience, or climate adaptation. Applying innovative or proven strategies that increase a community’s ability to prepare for and respond to systemic challenges (e.g., disaster preparedness, economic shifts, public health crises).

Elevating Opportunity, Resilience or Belonging initiatives to a transformative level by emphasizing collaboration, upstream focus, and long-term sustainability. Examples include: Builds cross-sector partnerships to address complex challenges. Drives long-term impact through innovative and sustainable approaches. Scales solutions that create systemic change.