An Information Session for Transformation Grant applications was held on February 9 at 8:30 a.m. via Zoom - View recording here and download the PowerPoint.
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.
Up to $100,000 per year, for up to three years
Funding beyond year one is contingent on ongoing progress and mutual agreement on next steps.
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:
Opportunity - Projects empower individuals to achieve economic stability and independence.
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.
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.
February 9 | Letter of Intent (LOI) open & Applicant Info Session - View recording here
March 9 at 5 PM | LOI close
March 30 | LOI notifications sent to all applicants. Selected applicants invited to apply.
April 27 at 5 PM | Applications close
June 17 | Approval by Boreal Waters Board of Trustees
June 18 | Notifications to applicants
June 25 | Payments issued for first year. Multi year grants are approved one year at a time and are subject to annual review and approval.
July 1, 2026 - June 30, 2027 | Grant period (may be up to 3 years)
1. Organization & Mission
Briefly describe your organization and its mission. Who do you primarily serve, and what community need do you address?
2. Grant Request Overview
Describe the project or initiative for which you are seeking funding.
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. Transformation Alignment
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
5. Funding Request
How much funding are you requesting, and for how many years (up to three)? If requesting multi-year support, briefly note how the scope or focus of the work may evolve over time.
We welcome applications from a range of nonprofit organizations, including:
We recognize that organizations vary in size and structure. We are especially interested in supporting:
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:
2. Geographic Area
The organization must serve communities within the Boreal Waters Community Foundation’s service area.
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.
To ensure alignment with our mission and priorities, we typically do not fund the following:
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:
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.
At this stage, we are not scheduling individual meetings,phone calls, or responding to project-specific email inquiries, as the LOI process is designed to serve that purpose. If clarification is needed during review, we will reach out directly.
For assistance with the grant portal or technical submission issues only, please contact Senior Community Impact Associate Kursula Harris at kursula@borealwaters.org.