‍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.

‍

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.

‍

Other Considerations

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

‍

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

‍

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.

‍

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.

‍

Other Considerations

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

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.

‍

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.

‍

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.

‍

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.

‍

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

‍

‍Mission

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

‍

Funding Priorities

• Clear financial need
• Strong programmatic impact or merit

‍

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.

‍

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.

‍

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.

‍

2026 Community Opportunity Fund: Details and How to Apply‍

2026 Community Opportunity Fund: Details and How to Apply‍

2026 Community Opportunity Fund: Details and How to Apply‍

2026 Transformation Grant Guidelines and Application Process

Mission

The Cook County Community Fund supports initiatives that strengthen community connections and respond to local needs across six key areas: arts, education, community development, the environment, human services, and youth.

‍

Funding Priorities

• We prioritize projects that build collaboration, address the root causes of challenges, and bring people together across Cook County.
• Grants often support new or emerging ideas, especially those that can make a meaningful difference with modest funding.
• Applicants are encouraged to seek matching funds, and proposals that leverage additional support are given strong consideration.

‍

Other Considerations

While the Fund does not typically support capital projects or ongoing program costs, we may offer short-term or multi-year funding to help launch promising new efforts—so long as there’s a plan for sustaining the work after our grant ends.

‍

‍