| Applications Accepted Until January 15th |
| Brainerd, Minn. – The Brainerd Lakes Area Community Foundation (BLACF) announced today that their annual Brainerd Lakes Area Grant round is now accepting applications. The BLACF has focused this year’s grant round on supporting programs and projects that help develop, attract and retain a quality workforce for the Brainerd Lakes area now and in the future. Grant application deadline is January 15th, 2019. For additional information and to apply, visit www.communitygiving.org/grants and select “Brainerd Lakes Area Grant”. Executive Director of the Brainerd Lakes Area Community Foundation Karl Samp stated, “Our Board and Grants Committee have decided to concentrate our grant funds to address what many feel is the most significant challenges facing our economic vitality; our workforce shortage and working to close the opportunity gap. We are especially looking for projects that positively develop young people who tend to stay in our community after graduation and enter the local workforce, as well as initiatives that can help create a bridge for underprivileged youth to have access to opportunities to prosper and achieve the American Dream. We will also consider initiatives that help attract and retain skilled workers.” Last year BLACF distributed $86,000 in grants to six primary projects including support for the Self-Healing Community Transformation Project through Bridges of Hope, CLC Workforce Development Re-imagined Program, Brainerd Lakes Chamber of Commerce Bridges Career Depot, programming for youth development and after school programs at Cuyuna Range Youth Center and the Warehouse in Pine River and the Brainerd Rotary Students Taking a Renewed Interest in the Value of Education (STRIVE) program. Additional financial support was also given to the Lakes Area Music Festival, Brainerd Public Schools, Brainerd Jaycees, Vocal Essence, The Center, Brainerd Community Action, New Pathways, TCC CAP and more. The Brainerd Lakes Area Community Foundation (BLACF), attracts and administers charitable funds for the benefit of the local Brainerd Lakes Area. Since 1998, BLACF has grown to over $10.4 million in assets and awarded over $4.9 million in grants to nonprofits. The BLACF is governed by a local board of directors and is a partner of CommunityGiving which is a collaborative of many community foundations united under a single framework to create efficiencies that maximize the impact of our donors. Collectively, CommunityGiving administers nearly 800 funds totaling more than $140 million. Learn more at CommunityGiving.org/Brainerd. |