$1 Million in Fall Grant Awards Strengthens Local Organizations

The Duluth Superior Area Community Foundation awarded nearly $1 million in competitive grants to 51 organizations, fueling transformative work across northeastern Minnesota and northwestern Wisconsin. These grants, part of the foundation’s second and final grant cycle of 2024, were awarded in December to address pressing challenges, create meaningful solutions, and deliver hope, opportunity, and lasting impact to thousands of residents.Of the nearly $1 million, $730,000 came from the Community Opportunity Fund—a permanent civic endowment that fosters collaboration, amplifies resources, and addresses the root causes of community challenges. This fund supports ambitious, long-term initiatives in three key areas: Opportunity, Resilience, and Belonging.

"Our communities face both urgent challenges and long-term systemic issues. We have a responsibility to address immediate needs while also investing in sustainable solutions that create lasting change. By working together, we can meet today’s demands and build a stronger foundation for the future."Shaun Floerke, CEO & President at the Duluth Superior Area Community Foundation

These organizations are among the 51 grant recipients:

• Lincoln Parent Teacher Organization (Hibbing, MN): Awarded $50,000 from the Community Opportunity Fund for an inclusive playground at Lincoln Elementary, featuring adaptive equipment to provide equitable recreation access for over 600 students, including those withmobility challenges.
• 23rd Veteran (Duluth & Iron Range, MN): Awarded $30,000 from the Community Opportunity Fund to support 23V Recon, a reconditioning program that helps veterans transition to civilian life through physical fitness, positive psychology, and community engagement, benefitingveterans and their families.
• Native American Educational Technologies (Hayward, WI): Awarded $49,250 from the Community Opportunity Fund to launch the Mooningwanekaaning Land Trust on Madeline Island, addressing local housing shortages, preserving cultural practices, and protecting sacredspaces to foster resilience and intercultural understanding.
• Nature's Edge Therapy Center (Rice Lake, WI): Awarded $5,000 from the Lupa Animal Wellness Fund to enhance animal-assisted therapy for individuals with disabilities, focusing on equine-assisted mental health and therapeutic horsemanship to improve patient outcomes.
• Great Lakes Aquarium (Duluth, MN): Awarded $10,000 from the Morgan Fund to support the "Lava to Lakes" exhibit, enhancing understanding of geologic time and human history through interactive elements and interpretive features in the Harborview Overlook room.

For a complete list of Fall 2024 grant recipients and funded projects, click here. “Our community partners are the heart of our region,” said Amber Burns, Director of Community Impact & Partnerships. “They tackle challenges every day and create opportunities that make a real difference. This vital work would not be possible without the generosity of donors who care deeply about our home. Their investments drive these transformative efforts and build a brighter future for everyone.”