‍Mission

Supports Duluth nonprofits that help underserved youth and families thrive—investing in cradle-to-career success with a focus on education, including high school completion and GED support, and removing barriers through practical, everyday support.

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Funding Priorities

• Programs supporting traditionally underserved individuals who may fall within the opportunity gap to finish high school and earn a GED.
• Nonprofits with a demonstrated track record of directly impacting youth, young adults and families.

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Other Considerations

• Funding can be used for expenses such as transportation, supplies, computer equipment, internet services, temporary childcare, emergency expenses, etc.

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Examples

• Projects assisting with GED completion
• Programs promoting wellness and school success for youth and families
• Mentorship programming with focus on education
• Career preparation/education
• After school and summer educational programming

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Mission

• 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.

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Funding Priorities

• 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.
• Providing mental health services that integrate animal-assisted therapy.

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Other Considerations

• Eligible organizations may also offer structured, goal-oriented sessions in partnership with professionals.
• Or rescue and rehabilitate animals for therapeutic use.

Mission

To build understanding of and respect for Anishinabe knowledge and culture.

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Funding Priorities

The Fund seeks to center Anishinabe people in the incorporation of their knowledge within collaborative efforts to improve communities throughout the Northland.

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Other Considerations

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.

Mission

• ‍‍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.

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Funding Priorities

• ‍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.

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Other Considerations

• 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.

Mission

• 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.

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Funding Priorities

• The fund will consider applications for community intervention or emergency-response grants to address specific incidents.
• The fund prioritizes projects that clearly identify their purpose—such as education, mediation, celebration, or conflict resolution—and address a specific issue.

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Other Considerations

• 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.

2026 Biodiversity Fund Grant Guidelines and Application Process click here for details

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‍Mission

To support agencies that directly assist low-income individuals and families in meeting basic needs and addressing everyday challenges.

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Funding Priorities

• Clear financial need
• Strong programmatic impact or merit

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Other Considerations

• Special projects and general operating support may be funded
• Requests for equipment purchases or capital improvements are typically not funded

Mission

• 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 South Shore Community Fund Advisory Board may shift focus among these areas based on emerging needs.

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Funding Priorities

• 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.

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Other Considerations

• 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.

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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).

2026 Transformation Grant Guidelines and Application Process