‍Mission

To promote economic development and civic pride in the Twin Ports region (Duluth/Superior) through projects that provide direct public benefit.
Established by Richard and Elizabeth Burns in honor of their parents, the fund recognizes their families' lasting contributions to the Twin Ports community.

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Funding Priorities

• ‍‍Projects that serve both Duluth and Superior
• Initiatives that enhance public awareness, pride, and engagement
• Efforts that stimulate economic development or improve public spaces

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Other Considerations

• Capital requests will be considered

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Examples

• ‍‍Documentaries that increase public visibility of Duluth
• Youth–adult partnerships to promote pride in Superior
• Website upgrades for sharing economic development information
• Public art installations in shared community spaces
• Exhibits at local attractions

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The Red Cliff/Miskwaabikaang Fund supports programs and services that contribute to the traditional Ojibwe way of life in Red Cliff, Wisconsin, focusing on arts, language, medicinal foods, and ceremonies. Grants benefit the Red Cliff Band of Lake Superior Chippewa/Gaa-Miskwaabikaang through nonprofit organizations serving the Red Cliff Reservation. The fund prioritizes culture or language revitalization, dietary or health programs, artistic services, and environmental protection.Examples of eligible projects include educational programs on environmental awareness, Ojibwemowin language teaching, school programs on traditional food-sustaining activities, arts such as beading and birch bark basketry, ceremonies for community well-being, and social services addressing issues like substance use disorder, mental illness, and elder abuse. The fund encourages co-sponsorship and co-funding of projects.

‍Mission

To support projects that help low-income or disadvantaged individuals meet basic needs—such as food, clothing, shelter, and healthcare—as well as projects that promote animal welfare.

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Funding Priorities

• ‍‍Projects serving individuals or families experiencing extreme financial hardship
• Initiatives that address both human and animal welfare
• Demonstrated financial need and community impact

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Other Considerations
Grants may support:

• Special projects or pilot initiatives
• Equipment purchases for human or animal services
• General operating support for eligible organizations

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Examples

• ‍‍‍‍‍‍Animal training to assist individuals with physical disabilities
• Instructor training for adaptive riding lessons for the disabled
• Emergency food or shelter services for extremely low-income individuals
• Purchase of animals or related equipment to support care and welfare

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‍Mission

To strengthen science, engineering, and business programs and faculty at:

• Lake Superior College
• The College of St. Scholastica
• University of Minnesota Duluth (UMD)

This fund is inspired by Our Kids: The American Dream in Crisis by Robert D. Putnam, and supports efforts to close the Opportunity Gap, especially in the Duluth–Superior region.

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Funding Priorities

• ‍‍Link education and work through internships or apprenticeships
• Make higher education more accessible and navigable for all students
• Create family-like cultures of support on campus
• Improve transitions from high school to higher education
• Redesign academic programs to serve underprepared or under-resourced students

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Not Eligible for Funding

• ‍‍Major capital projects (e.g., construction, major facilities upgrades)
• Athletic programs

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The fund supports initiatives addressing the needs of low-income communities in the areas of arts, community and economic development, education, and human services. Priority is given to projects that involve new collaborations, address underlying community problems, or provide preventive solutions. The fund favors efforts that build organizational capacity, resolve crises, or address well-documented community needs with a moderate grant amount that produces significant results.Certain types of projects are typically low priority, including capital and equipment requests and ongoing program support. Grant awards are not intended to provide permanent support, so organizations must have the financial potential to sustain their programs. In some cases, the fund may offer multi-year support for new organizations or exemplary existing services to ensure long-term stability.Examples of funded projects include community arts programs for low-income participants, low-income housing, money management programs, parenting education, job development, transportation access for services, and youth prevention programs. Projects that are not eligible for funding include endowments, religious activities, medical research, debt retirement, fundraising drives, political campaigns, and those focused on influencing legislation.

Mission

To advance equity and justice for individuals of African Heritage by:

• Ensuring full participation in the community’s benefits through resource allocation and support.
• Prioritizing racial equity, health, and economic resilience, with a focus on addressing the needs of African Heritage individuals.
• Empowering community members to engage in actions that combat and dismantle systemic racism.
• Creating accessible, supportive environments where individuals can express their thoughts, emotions, and concerns in safe spaces.
• Raising awareness of systemic racial inequities through outreach, education, and cultural exchange, with the goal of building a more inclusive society.
• Supporting the education, leadership development, and personal growth of African American and African Heritage individuals.
• Fostering cross-cultural relationships to promote mutual understanding and respect for African Heritage and culture.

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The fund supports preservation efforts in Bayfield by providing grants for projects focused on preserving, restoring, or reimagining historic sites and protecting public land landmarks. The fund encourages co-sponsorship or co-funding for projects involving individuals, corporations, and regional foundations. Examples of eligible projects include hiring preservation architects or consultants for guidance on historic interiors, obtaining professional expertise in areas like architecture and planning, conducting feasibility studies, and covering costs for research related to historic destinations. The fund also supports capital investment, infrastructure repairs, garden or park restoration, archaeology, and creating exhibits or publications on Bayfield’s historical buildings.

The fund supports projects that address the educational needs, basic material needs, and nature appreciation of underprivileged children. It considers both special projects and general operating support for initiatives that strengthen the community and provide for children’s well-being.Examples of eligible projects include educational programs focused on preschool and elementary children, nature appreciation programs, summer camps like those from the Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, YMCA, and YWCA, and projects that help children access food, clothing, shelter, energy, and health care. The fund also supports programs co-sponsored by organizations like Hartley Nature Center, YWCA, and YMCA, as well as those that assist children with physical disabilities or visual impairments to enhance their quality of life and self-sufficiency.

The fund supports initiatives aimed at raising community awareness of global interdependence, encouraging social change, and promoting democratic participation. It focuses on fighting racism, sexism, and all forms of discrimination, while advocating for justice, freedom of expression, and universal health care access. The fund encourages collaboration and co-funding on projects that align with these values.Additional objectives include increasing understanding of world cultures, political and social systems, and international trade. The fund also addresses issues like population control, challenges faced by less-developed countries, environmental preservation, military expenditures, and human rights. Projects that have a broad regional impact and tackle contemporary issues are given priority.Examples of eligible projects include peace and justice lectures, sister city relationships, foreign exchanges, awards for studies related to peace and justice, and efforts to address hunger, homelessness, and emergency aid in northeast Minnesota and northwest Wisconsin. Potential grant recipients may include universities, Finnish-American organizations, Native American treaty rights groups, and international organizations working on relevant issues.