‍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.

Mission

• 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.

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Funding Priorities

• 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.

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Other Considerations

• Proposals should clearly describe the project's value, goals, expected methods, and how success will be measured.

‍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 & Application Process

‍An Information Session for Transformation Grant applications will be held on February 9 at 8:30 a.m. via Zoom - Register Here

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Boreal Waters is committed to uplifting work that strengthens Opportunity, Resilience, and Belonging across our region through our Community Opportunity Fund. The Transformation Grant supports efforts that don’t just respond to immediate needs, but shift the conditions that create them. These grants help organizations address root causes, build cross-sector partnerships, and expand long-term systems of equity and connection.

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What We Mean by Transformational Work

Transformational projects create long-lasting change by shifting the conditions that impact people and communities. While every initiative will look different, transformational work often includes many of the elements below:

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1. Upstream Focus

• Addresses root causes of inequities
• Prioritizes prevention and long-term solutions

2. Collaboration & Community Voice

• Builds authentic, cross-sector partnerships
• Centers the expertise of people with lived experience in design and decision-making

3. Equity-Centered Impact

• Prioritizes historically marginalized populations
• Moves resources or power closer to impacted communities

4. Systems & Policy Influence

• Improves institutional practices, policies, resource flows, or community-level systems
• Has potential to be replicated or scaled

5. Sustainability & Capacity Building

• Plans for impact that continues beyond the grant period
• Strengthens organizational or community capacity

6. Evidence of Change

• Uses data, learning, or storytelling to demonstrate impact
• Contributes to broader understanding of what works for equity, belonging, and resilience

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Transformation Grant must align with one, or more of the following focus areas:

‍Opportunity - Projects empower individuals to achieve economic stability and independence.

• Expanding access to affordable housing
• Creating living-wage jobs and wealth-building opportunities
• Strengthening educational pathways

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Resilience - 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.

• Developing scalable solutions rooted in partnerships
• Increasing access to tools, training, or resources that build long-term stability
• Supporting community-driven approaches to housing, food security, workforce readiness, or climate adaptation

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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.

• Elevating diverse voices and lived experiences
• Creating spaces that foster connection, respect, safety, and shared humanity
• Advancing community bonds and equitable practices

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2026 Transformation Grant – Timeline  

February 9 | Applicant Info Session REGISTER HERE & Letter of Intent (LOI) open

March at 9 at 11:59 PM | LOI close

March 16 – May 30 | Application Process will include multiple conversations with nonprofits and partners invited to apply

June 16 | For approval by Boreal Waters Board of Trustees

‍June 18 | Notifications to applicants  

June 30 | Payments issued

July 1, 2026 - June 30, 2027 | Grant period (maybe up to 3 years)

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Letter of Intent (LOI) Questions

‍1. Organization & Mission
Briefly describe your organization and its mission. Who do you primarily serve, and what community need do you address?

2. Funding Request
What project or initiative are you seeking funding for?

3. Community Impact (High-Level)
In a few sentences, describe the difference this funding would make for your community. Who will benefit, and how? Geography – the service area you are reaching

4. Transformational Potential
Boreal Waters looks for projects that go beyond immediate needs to create lasting, systemic change. Please share how your work may demonstrate one or more of the following: Upstream Focus, Collaboration & Partnerships, Equity Centered, Systems & Policy Impact, Sustainability & Long-Term Impact, Evidence of Change  

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Eligibility

‍We welcome applications from a range of nonprofit organizations, including:

• Established nonprofits with a proven track record and infrastructure to deliver impact

• Smaller or emerging organizations, especially those rooted in and led by the communities they serve

• Collaborative efforts or fiscal sponsorships involving community-based groups

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We recognize that organizations vary in size and structure. We are especially interested in supporting:

• Organizations led by or serving historically marginalized communities

• Community groups with deep local ties, even if they are newer or less formally resourced

• Efforts that demonstrate strong potential for impact, sustainability, or community ownership, regardless of size

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Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible to apply for funding, an organization must meet both of the following criteria:

1. IRS Classification

The organization must be classified by the IRS as one of the following:

• A 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization

• A Section 170(c)(1) public entity (e.g., governmental agencies, public schools)

• A Section 7871 Tribal government

• A church

• An organization with a fiscal sponsor that is classified under one of the above categories

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2. Geographic Area

The organization must serve communities within the Boreal Waters Community Foundation’s service area.

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What The Transformation Grant Does Fund

We provide flexible grant support to help nonprofits and community organizations advance meaningful, community-driven work that aligns with our three focus areas: Opportunity, Resilience, and Belonging. All funded work should demonstrate the potential to be transformative—not only addressing immediate needs, but also shifting systems, strengthening long-term community capacity, and creating more equitable conditions.

Initiatives or Project Support: Funding to launch, expand, or sustain specific initiatives that advance Opportunity, Resilience, or Belonging. Priority is given to projects that demonstrate transformational potential, including collaboration across sectors, an upstream focus on root causes, or strategies designed for long-term, equitable impact.

Community-Led Solutions & Collaboration: Funding for community-driven work that centers lived experience, builds trust, and cultivates cross-sector collaboration. Transformative efforts often emerge from partnerships that elevate community voice, share decision-making power, and create pathways for collective action.

Systems Change & Upstream Impact: Support for work that goes beyond direct service to change the conditions that create inequities—shaping policies, practices, resource flows, institutional norms, and community-level systems. These projects address root causes and strengthen long-term Opportunity, Resilience, and Belonging across the region.

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What We Will Not Fund Through the Transformation Grant

To ensure alignment with our mission and priorities, we typically do not fund the following:

• Individuals (e.g., personal scholarships, stipends, or direct aid not managed by a nonprofit organization)

• Capital campaigns or large-scale construction projects

• One-time equipment purchases without a clear connection to long-term impact or strategy

• Fundraising events or sponsorships (e.g., galas, tournaments)

• Political campaigns or lobbying efforts

• Religious organizations for religious activities (faith-based organizations may apply for non-religious, community-serving programs)

• Medical research

• Debt retirement or deficit funding

• Regranting to other organizations — funds must be used directly by the applicant to carry out the proposed work

• Endowments  

• Projects not aligned with our focus areas of Opportunity, Resilience, or Belonging

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How We Fund: A Community-Centered Approach

Our grantmaking process is rooted in equity, transparency, and community voice.

We believe those closest to the issues should help shape the solutions. That’s why we engage community members with lived experience as part of our grant review committees. These reviewers bring valuable insight and local knowledge that helps ensure funding decisions are thoughtful, inclusive, and relevant.

Our application process for grants from our Community Opportunity Fund, which includes the Transformation Grant, typically includes:

• A pre-application or letter of interest to understand alignment with our focus areas

• A full application phase for selected proposals

• Review by a community-based grant committee alongside Foundation staff

• Consideration of both project impact and organizational capacity

• Funding decisions guided by our core values of collaboration, trust, equity, and curiosity

We strive to make our process clear and supportive. We welcome questions from applicants and encourage organizations to reach out if they need help determining fit.