Brainerd Lakes Area Difference Maker Grants

About This Grant

Foundation: Brainerd Lakes Area Community Foundation

Brief Description

The Brainerd Lakes Area Community Foundation (BLACF) supports specific community initiatives and programs to address changing community needs. The BLACF seeks to make meaningful grants that will bring about community-wide, lasting, and positive changes in the Brainerd Lakes area. The BLACF is looking to provide leadership and financial support that goes beyond the grant to advance the project or initiative that needs funding to get started or completed.

What We Fund

  • Assistance to establish new or expanding projects or programs that show an ability to make a meaningful impact to the greater Brainerd Lakes Area.

Eligible organizations: 501(c) 3 nonprofit Organizations, schools or government entities.

Geographic Area: Serving communities in Crow Wing and southern Cass Counties in Minnesota

Funding Amount Range: Up to $30,000 for Difference Maker Grants may be awarded and organizations may reapply for up to three years of consecutive funding.

Focus Areas

  • Bridging the Opportunity Gap
    • Grants for projects that support disadvantaged youth and help them participate in events, activities or related programs that build skills and career knowledge that help lead to future success
  • Community Enhancement and Economic Development
    • Community Economic Vitality and Sustainability
    • Welcoming Communities
    • Access to music, arts and especially those made available to the disadvantaged or open to all
    • Projects that aid in the solution of current community problems or challenges.

Favorable Criteria

  • Project is likely to make a clear difference in quality of life or difference for a substantial number of people
  • Propose practical approaches to resolve current community problems.
  • Address diversity and positive change in a constructive manner. (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Policy)
  • Help nonprofit organizations manage themselves and their finances more effectively.
  • Focus on prevention.
  • Encourage cooperation and eliminate duplication of services.
  • Stimulate others to participate In problem-solving.
  • Promote leverage for generating additional funds.
  • Sustainability – has a plan for future funding.

What We Don’t Fund

  • Individuals
  • Religious organizations for religious purposes (Funding for Faith-Based Organizations Policy)
  • Political organizations or political campaigns.
  • Annual fundraising drives
  • Endowments
  • Debt retirement or deficit financing
  • Projects or portions of projects that have already been completed
  • Scholarships or medical research
  • Grants for travel or conferences
  • Full cost of a project

Application Process

  1. Submit application online using the CommunityGiving Grant Management System. If interested in applying for a Difference Maker Grant, feel free to contact BLACF to discuss if you meet criteria prior to applying.
  2. The Grant Advisory Committee will recommend applications to advance to the presentation round.
  3. The Grant Advisory Committee will recommend applications for funding to the Board of Directors and seek approval of grant recommendations at the May Board of Directors meeting.
  4. Applicants will be notified of their approval or denial by mid-May.
  5. Selected grantees will need to complete a grant agreement prior to receiving funding and will be required to submit a final report within one-year of receiving funding through the grant management system.

Organizations may only submit one grant application per year per grant round.

All notification about this grant will be through emails.

Payout of Grants: upon receipt of electronically signed Grant Agreement, checks will be mailed to the recipients.

For questions about the online grant application or grant management system, please call Sherri Koslofsky at (320) 257-9715 or send an email to skoslofsky@communitygiving.org.

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