September 24, 2026 — The Northwest Minnesota Foundation (NMF) has awarded $82,500 in its latest Building Better Lives Grant round, supporting nine organizations across northwest Minnesota. The awarded projects expand access to essential services, including healthcare navigation, workforce training, transportation support, economic opportunity, and inclusive community planning
The grant round received requests totaling $319,263. Applications reflected strong demand for projects that build welcoming and inclusive communities, strengthen youth and family well-being, and increase nonprofit sustainability. Identified priorities across applicant organizations included transportation access, food security, caregiver support, and workforce development as ongoing regional needs.
“Our local organizations are doing vital work to ensure that individuals and families in Northwest Minnesota have the resources they need to thrive,” said Chloe Keprios, Operations Coordinator, Northwest Minnesota Foundation. “These grants reflect our ongoing commitment to investing in solutions that build economic mobility, strengthen community connections, and support the long-term vitality of our region.”
Funded initiatives will help residents navigate online healthcare benefit systems; provide workforce training for unemployed and underemployed women; support local economic development and in-demand skills training; create publicly accessible podcast and recording resources; strengthen community development capacity; expand shared safety equipment for active-living events; create inclusive recreation opportunities for older adults; assist low-income residents with essential vehicle repairs; and support a culturally grounded economic development planning process for White Earth Nation.
Organizations receiving funding in this grant cycle are:
- Community Resource Connections
- Dress for Success Twin Cities
- Lake of the Woods County EDA
- Armory Arts & Events Center
- Mahnomen County EDA
- Bemidji Blue Ox Marathon
- Roseau Curling Club
- Northwest Community Action
- Indiana University in partnership with White Earth Nation
Building Better Lives Grants are offered three times annually and support work that strengthens families and expands access to basic needs, improves mental and physical wellbeing, builds welcoming communities, enhances economic mobility, and strengthens the region’s nonprofit sector.
Funding is open to organizations serving territories sharing NMF’s regional boundaries, including Red Lake Nation, White Earth Nation, and the twelve surrounding counties of Beltrami, Clearwater, Hubbard, Kittson, Lake of the Woods, Mahnomen, Marshall, Norman, Pennington, Polk, Red Lake, and Roseau.
For more information about upcoming grant opportunities and eligibility requirements, contact Chloe Keprios at chloek@nwmf.org.
