Boreal Waters Community Foundation Grants is a grant program from Boreal Waters Community Foundation supporting local nonprofits in northeastern Minnesota and northwestern Wisconsin.

The foundation offers multiple grant tracks throughout the year, including Community Opportunity Fund Grants focused on economic opportunity, community resilience, and belonging, as well as Area of Interest Grants for arts, environment, human services, and animal welfare. A Transformation Grant and Biodiversity Fund are also available via Letters of Intent. Award amounts typically range from $25,000 to $50,000.

The foundation prioritizes collaborative projects that create measurable, lasting positive change.

Supporting bold ideas & everyday impact Letters of Intent (LOIs) for the Transformation Grant and Biodiversity Fund are OPEN. The deadline for submission is March 9. At Boreal Waters Community Foundation, we believe in the power of local nonprofits to create meaningful, lasting change.

To support that work, we offer a range of grant opportunities designed to address both immediate needs and long-term goals. We offer grant rounds throughout the year, along with select funds that accept requests year-round. Community Opportunity Fund Grants These grants support projects that emphasize collaboration and create lasting positive change.

They focus on three key areas: 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. When to Apply: Community Opportunity Fund Grants are part of our Community Opportunity Fund Grant Cycle.

These grants are for projects in specific focus areas, like the arts, environment, human services, animal welfare and more. When to Apply: Area of Interest Grants are offered in both spring and fall. Check individual grant guidelines to confirm timing.

In addition to grants offered directly through Boreal Waters, nonprofit organizations in our region may also be eligible for funding through our local affiliate foundations. Each affiliate is guided by a volunteer advisory committee made up of community members who understand the unique needs and strengths of their area. When to Apply: Regional Grants are part of the Spring Grant Cycle.

Submitting Your Application We strive to make our grant application process accessible and equitable. Applications for 2026 Spring Grants will open on January 5, the deadline for submission is February 2. We recommend bookmarking this page so you can return to it easily throughout the process.

Identify which grants you plan to apply for.

You’ll be asked to upload a few key documents with your application: Project budget – Download our template or use your own Most current organizational budget Most recent IRS Form 990 or audited financial statement Optional: Download and review narrative questions for planning your responses offline Download Optional Project Be sure to complete and submit your application before the deadline listed for your chosen grant cycle.

Each grant has its own specific guidelines, but to apply for any of our grants, your organization must meet a few basic requirements.

To be eligible, your organization must be: A governmental entity or public school (under Section 170(c)(1)) A tribal government (recognized under Section 7871) A church or religious organization Or working with a fiscal sponsor that qualifies under one of the categories above In addition, your organization must be located in OR provide services to communities within our service area.

We’re here to help you navigate the process Access our Grant FAQs for common questions and step-by-step application guides. Collaborative Applications Our grant portal supports collaboration. Refer to the collaborator tutorial for instructions on how multiple team members can work on the same application.

Please reach out to Kursula Harris, Community Impact Senior Associate at: Curious about what we’ve funded recently? Explore past grant recipient awards: Spring 2025 Fall 2024 Spring 2024