📅 2025 Fall Grant Cycle Timeline
- August 12 at 3:00pm – Zoom Information Session → VIEW HERE
- August 12 – September 15 – Applications open
- September 24 – October 27 – Committee review period
- November 19 – Recommendations presented to Boreal Waters Community Foundation board
- November 19 – Applicants notified of decisions
- November 26 – Grant payments issued
- January 1, 2026 (or later) to 12 months of start date - Grant period
Please note: The grant portal dashboard has a new look. To begin a new application, instead of clicking APPLY at the top of your home page, click SEE OPPORTUNITIES.
Opportunities available in the Fall Grant Cycle:
Aaron Thomas Gelineau Fund for Educational Opportunity
Central Mesabi Fund for Human Services
Douglas County Disaster & Welfare Fund
John T. & Elizabeth C. Adams Arts Fund
Morgan Fund
Samuel F. Atkins and Barbara H. Atkins Memorial Fund
Sandbulte Family Higher Education Endowment Fund (eligible organizations will be sent an access code)
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
- 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.
What We Fund
We support a wide range of community-driven, equity-centered work. Generally funding can be used for the following; (Please note that specific funds may have certain criteria that differ from these)
- Program or Project Support: To launch, expand, or sustain work in alignment with the mission of the grant
- 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
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)
- Regranting to other groups (funds must be used directly by the applicant to carry out the proposed work)
Fall 2025 Application Questions
You can view the application questions and related criteria here:
👉 Fall 2025 Grant Application Questions
We're Here to Support You
We know applying for funding takes time and energy, and we're here to support you along the way. We encourage you to watch the Fall Grants Info Session video if this is your first time applying for a grant in this round.
If you have questions about eligibility, fit or the application process, please reach out to:
Kursula Harris
Senior Community Impact Associate
✉️ kursula@borealwaters.org