Brainerd Lakes Area Difference Maker Grants

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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. Projects that are new and show strong community impact, serving many residents are preferred. 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: $5,000- $30,000
Requests for up to $30,000 for Difference Maker Grants may be awarded and organizations may reapply for up to three years of consecutive funding. We feel that projects that are truly “Difference Makers” will likely need a minimum of $5,000 to create impact sought in our communities.

Focus Areas

Projects that aid in the solution of meeting current community problems or challenges pertaining to meeting basic needs around these programs areas:

  • Bridging the Opportunity Gap
  • Food insecurity
  • Housing/Homelessness
  • Safety/Mental Health & Wellness
  • Workforce/Career Development

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)
  • Community support or matching funds, if possible
  • 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.

Typically, we do not fund:

  • Individuals

  • Religious organizations for religious purposes 

    Please see our Funding for Faith-Based Organizations Policy

  • Political organizations or political campaigns

    This generally includes organizations with a 501 (c)(4) status that can advocate for causes and propositions and endorse specific candidates.

  • Event sponsorship or annual fundraising drives

  • Multi-year requests

    Organizations seeking continued support beyond the initial grant year are welcome to reapply in subsequent grant cycles.

  • Endowments

  • Debt retirement

    For example, grant funds should not be used to: pay off an organization’s loans, lines of credit, unpaid bills, or deficits, cover past due obligations, such as back taxes or unpaid rent, refinance existing liabilities, even if related to previously funded projects

  • Projects that have already been completed

    Applications seeking reimbursement for past work, retroactive funding, or previously concluded programs and completed capital projects are typically ineligible.

  • Individual academic scholarships for post-secondary education

  • Grants solely for the purpose of travel or conferences

    Specifically, we do not fund travel for staff of agencies or organizations

  • Government funding that has been reduced or eliminated

    Our resources are primarily intended to catalyze innovation, support sustainable solutions, and build long-term capacity, rather than substituting for public sector obligations.

Applicants who are unsure of their project or program’s eligibility are advised to reach out to our local staff prior to applying. This helps maintain an efficient review process for all.

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 directly to the recipients of selected projects from qualifying nonprofit organizations.

For questions about the online grant application or grant management system, please call Sherri Koslofsky at (320) 257-9715 or send an email to [email protected].

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