Fall 2026 Grant Cycle: Timeline, Funds & Application Details

2026 Fall Grant Cycle Timeline

August 10 at 8 AM | Applicant Zoom Information Session → View recording here and view the PowerPoint here.

August 10 | Applications open → APPLY HERE‍

September 15 at 5 PM | Applications close

November 19 | Recommendations presented to Community Foundation board

‍November 19 | Notifications to applicants  

Payments issued within 30 days of the grant award notification

‍January 1, 2027 (or later) to 12 months of start date | Grant period

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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)

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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

• 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

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
  

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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)

• Medical research

• Debt retirement

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

• Endowments

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Fall 2026 Application Questions

You can view the application questions and related criteria here:

👉 Fall 2026 Grant Application Questions

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We're Here to Support You

We know that applying for grant funding takes time and effort, and we're here to support you throughout the process.

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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

For questions regarding fund fit, please contact:

Amber Burns

Director of Community Impact and Partnerships

✉️ amber@borealwaters.org

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