Bernick’s Beverages and Vending Fund Grants

Apply For This Grant
Row edge-slant Shape Decorative svg added to top
Row edge-slant Shape Decorative svg added to bottom

About This Grant

Foundation: Alexandria Area Community Foundation, Brainerd Lakes Area Community Foundation, Central Minnesota Community Foundation, Foley Area Community Foundation, New London-Spicer Area Fund, Paynesville Area Community Foundation, ROCORI Area Community Foundation, Sauk Centre Area Community Foundation, Willmar Area Community Foundation

The Bernick family started the Bernick Family Foundation to honor the legacy of its company founders by continuing the tradition of supporting organizations consistent with the family’s core values, while providing leadership in responding to emerging community needs.

A total of up to $300,000 will be granted throughout the seven Bernick service areas to approximately 8-10 organizations.

What We Fund

Strategies:

  • Capital projects
  • New or expanded programs

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

Eligible Geographic Area: The organization must be based in or serve one of the regions in which Bernick’s operates, including the areas in and around each facility location (see service area map/listing):

  • Bemidji, MN
  • Brainerd, MN
  • Duluth, MN
  • Waite Park, MN
  • Willmar, MN
  • Superior, Wisconsin
  • Dresser, Wisconsin

To find out if your area is included, please see Bernick’s Service Area Listing.

Funding Amount Range: $5,000 – $40,000

Focus Areas: The Bernick Family Foundation supports two key focus areas:

  • Youth and Education: Support of activities that help prepare students for future success in education and the workplace.
  • Youth Health and Fitness: Support of youth activities that address active lifestyles.

Favorable Considerations:

  • Programs that are innovative or develop youth leadership skills, community involvement, teamwork, and entrepreneurship.
  • Programs/projects for youth that promote fitness, engage in recreation and/or responsible lifestyle.

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.

2)

The Grant Advisory Committee will recommend applications for funding to the Board of Directors.

3)

The Board of Directors will make final funding decisions.

All notification about this grant will be through emails.

Payout of Grants: upon recipient of electronically signed Grant Agreement.

Grantee Required Documents: Grant Agreement and Final Report. Progress Report may be required if requested. Required follow up documents will be submitted through the CommunityGiving Grant Management System.

For questions about this grant or the online Grant Management System please call (320) 257-9715.

Start Application