2026 Community Opportunity Fund: Details and How to Apply

This article includes important information on the grant process this year— please read on before applying.

The Community Opportunity Fund is at the heart of our work at Boreal Waters Community Foundation. It’s how we connect generosity with possibility to support bold ideas, local leadership, and long-term solutions across northeastern Minnesota and northwestern Wisconsin.

Each year, this fund helps nonprofits tackle critical challenges, strengthen communities, and ensure that everyone in our region can thrive.

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Important Details for 2026

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• All applicants must submit an online LOI (Letter of Intent) between May 4 - June 1, 2026 at 5pm CST to be considered.

• Only selected LOIs will move forward to submit a full application.

• We’ve added updated guidance, clearer criteria, and more examples to help you prepare a strong proposal.

We’ve made these updates based on community feedback to ensure our grant process remains community-centered, accessible, and aligned with the evolving needs of our region.

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A Grant Program Rooted in Community and Collective Generosity  

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As our region’s permanent civic endowment, the Community Opportunity Fund helps nonprofits and community groups respond to challenges, create solutions, and build a better future. In 2023, we restructured the fund to offer larger, more flexible grants—supporting not just programs, but long-term vision and systems change.

‍We focus on these interconnected areas:

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Opportunity

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Projects empower individuals to achieve economic stability and independence.

Examples:

• 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

Grant range $25,000- $50,000

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Resilience

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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:  

• 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).  

Grant range $25,000- $50,000

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Belonging

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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:  

• 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.

Grant range $25,000- $50,000

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Who Should Apply?

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We welcome proposals from:

✔️ Established nonprofits with strong infrastructure
✔️ Grassroots or emerging groups led by and for their communities
✔️ Collaborations or fiscally sponsored efforts

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We are especially interested in organizations that:

• Are led by or serve historically marginalized communities

• Demonstrate local trust and community ownership

• Show potential for lasting, scalable impact

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Eligibility Requirements

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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

2. Geographic Area

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

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What We Fund

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We support a wide range of community-driven, equity-centered work. Funding can be used for:

• Program or Project Support: To launch, expand, or sustain work in Opportunity, Resilience, or Belonging

• General Operating Support: To build strength and stability

• Capacity Building: To grow organizational effectiveness or leadership

• Community-Led Solutions: Especially those involving lived experience and cross-sector collaboration

• Systems Change and Upstream Impact: Projects that address root causes—not just symptoms
  
  

What We Don’t Fund

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To stay aligned with our mission, we do not fund:

• Individuals or direct personal aid

• Capital campaigns or major construction projects

• One-time equipment purchases without strategic context

• Fundraising events or sponsorships

• Political or lobbying efforts

• Religious activities (non-religious programming by faith-based organizations is eligible)

• Medical research

• Debt retirement

• Regranting to other groups (funds must be used directly by the applicant to carry out the proposed work)

• Endowments

• Projects not aligned with Opportunity, Resilience, or Belonging

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How We Fund: A Community-Centered Review Process

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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.

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Our Community Opportunity Grant process includes:

• An online LOI (Letter of Interest) to understand alignment with our focus areas

• A full application phase for selected proposals

• Review by a community-based grant committee

• Consideration of both project impact and organizational capacity

• Funding decisions guided by our core values of collaboration, trust, equity, and curiosity and our focus areas of Opportunity, Resilience and Belonging.

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.

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Community Opportunity Fund 2026 Grant Cycle Timeline  

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May 4 | Community Opportunity Fund Grant Zoom Information Session → View recording here and view the PowerPoint here.

May 4 | LOI opens → APPLY HERE‍

June 1 at 5 PM | LOI closes

June 18 | LOI notifications sent and invitations to apply extended

July 30 at 5 PM | Applications close

September 15 | Recommendations presented to Community Foundation board

September 16 | Applicants notified  

Payments issued within 30 days of the grant award notification

October 1, 2026 - December 31, 2027 | Grant period

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What’s in the LOI?

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We’ve streamlined the LOI to focus on key elements of alignment and community impact.

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📝 You’ll be asked to:

• Describe your organization’s mission and the community(ies) you serve

• Explain the need or challenge your project addresses

• Choose the focus area that best aligns (Opportunity, Resilience, or Belonging—or let us decide)

• Share how community voices have shaped your work

• Detail any recent operational challenges or unexpected funding disruptions

• If previously funded: provide a brief progress update and note how this request builds on prior work

Download 2026 Community Opportunity Fund LOI Questions & Criteria

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Our community-based grant committee will use this information to assess:

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✔️ Alignment with focus areas
✔️ Community engagement and inclusion
✔️ Urgency and relevance
✔️ Potential for impact and sustainability

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We’re Here to Support You

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We know applying for funding takes time, energy, and care—and we’re here to help every step of the way.

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If you have any questions about eligibility, the application process, or need technical assistance, please contact:

Kursula Harris

Senior Community Impact Associate

✉️ kursula@borealwaters.org

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For questions regarding fund fit, please contact:

Amber Burns

Director of Community Impact and Partnerships

✉️amber@borealwaters.org

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