$85,000 Awarded to Programs Related to Workforce Development
Brainerd, Minn. – The Brainerd Lakes Area Community Foundation (BLACF) Board of Directors is pleased to announce the grant recipients of their 2017-2018 grant round. Six local projects, plus four performing arts organizations will be receiving funding, totaling $85,000. Programs that focus on workforce issues were targeted. Eligible organizations were 501(c)3 nonprofit organizations, schools or government entities that serve Crow Wing and southern Cass counties.
Karl Samp, Executive Director of the BLACF, commented, “Our board of directors made a strategic decision to focus on workforce development projects for our grants. These projects will help develop, attract and retain a quality workforce for our area which is critical to the overall health and vitality of our community. We are excited to support these projects and see their impact.”
The latest grant round is supporting the following projects:
- $30,000 for a full-time project coordinator at Bridges of Hope who will lead research and implementation of the Self-Healing Communities model to increase workforce and community resiliency.
- $15,000 to support the expansion of the Career Depot program by providing additional staff support through the Brainerd Lakes Chamber of Commerce to connect area job openings with high school age students..
- $15,000 to support the creation and delivery of four new customized training programs that meet workforce development needs through Central Lakes College.
- $6,000 for the continued implementation and growth of the Students Taking a Renewed Interest in the Value of Education (STRIVE) program at Brainerd and Pillage High Schools through the Brainerd Rotary Foundation.
- $5,000 to support the after-school programming at the Warehouse in Pine River which provides youth with food, a safe place to go and positive social connections to the community.
- $5,000 to support after school and summer programming through Cuyuna Range Youth Center, Inc. in Crosby to teach resistance to violence, bullying and drug abuse was well as teach work-related skills.
- BLACF also supports several performing arts organizations that enhance the quality of life and attractiveness to potential workers. These include: Lakes Area Music Festival, Legacy Chorale, The Center’s Music in the Park and the Vocal Essence Performance at CLC.
The Brainerd Lakes Area Community Foundation (BLACF), in affiliation with CommunityGiving, is a public charity that attracts and administers charitable funds for the benefit of the local community. Since 1998, BLACF has grown to over $10.3 million in assets and awarded over $4.3 million in grants to nonprofits. CommunityGiving is a collaboration of community foundations united under a single framework to create efficiencies that maximize the impact of our donors. The core foundations working with CommunityGiving include the Alexandria Area Community Foundation, the Brainerd Lakes Area Community Foundation, the Central Minnesota Community Foundation and the Willmar Area Community Foundation. Collectively, CommunityGiving administers more than 700 funds totaling more than $129 million. Learn more at CommunityGiving.org/Brainerd