St. Cloud, Minn. – Just over $195,000 has been granted out through three competitive grant rounds offered through the Central Minnesota Community Foundation (CMCF). The Central Minnesota Difference Maker, Central Minnesota Arts and Thomas Ritsche Youth Grant Rounds have awarded a total of 23 grants to local organizations.
Tailor Doeden is the Director of Community Engagement for the Central Minnesota Community Foundation. She says, “We are grateful to our fundholders, donors and community at large for supporting these impactful grant rounds.” Doeden adds, “Thank you to all who support the Foundation in engaging people, connecting resources, and building community. Together, we are making a difference in our community right now and well into the future.”
For the organizations that received a Central Minnesota Difference Maker Grant, their programs encourage positive change in Central Minnesota. This year’s Difference Maker focus was Mental Health. Grant recipients are as follows:
- Ellison Center received $20,000 for its Empowering Caregivers for Young Children’s Mental Health program.
- The Center for Victims of Torture received $15,000 for its program that supports providing culturally-informed mental healthcare access for the Somali community.
- The Village Family Service Center received $15,000 for its Brainspotting Training: Healing the Community program.
- The Wave received $15,000 for its Youth Center Mental Health Expansion Initiative.
- The Yes Network received $20,000 for HuddlUp – supporting students mental health in the classroom program.
- United Way of Central Minnesota received $15,000 for its Navigator Network: Increasing Access to Mental Health Resources program.
The Central Minnesota Arts grant round focuses on supporting small to medium sizes arts organizations in Central Minnesota and arts activities conducted by other organizations. The goal is to make the arts more accessible to area residents. Grant recipients are as follows:
- Avon Hills Folk School received $7,500 for its Sharing Anishinaabe culture through the Black Ash weaving of April Stone program.
- Delano Community Band received $3,500 to support further development of the Delano Community Band program.
- Great Northern Theatre Company received $3,500 to support its 2024 Season Productions and Youth Theatre Camps.
- GREAT Theatre received $7,500 to support its Elementary School Theatre Residencies program.
- Hiddo Soor received $7,500 to support its St Cloud Somali Culture Festival.
- Melrose Area Arts Council received $5,000 to support its Melrose Night to Unite – Celebrating Neighbors – Celebrating Cultures.
- Minnesota Center Chorale received $5,000 for its Find the Light, Be the Light–The 2024-2025 Minnesota Center Chorale Season.
- St. Cloud Symphony Orchestra received $3,500 to support its general programming.
- The St. John’s Boys’ Choir received $3,500 to support its music education, performance, and community outreach programming.
- Youth Chorale of Central Minnesota received $3,500 for its Prelude Choirs programming.
The Thomas Ritsche Youth Grant round focuses solely on youth-related projects and programs and awarded grants within our Central Minnesota communities. Grant recipients are as follows:
- Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central MN received $5,000 for its Mindful Mentoring: Nurturing Youth Well-being program.
- Friends of Career Solutions received $5,500 for its Pathway to Construction & Manufacturing Careers for Youth program.
- GREAT Theatre received $6,500 to support its Wizard of Oz student matinee performances.
- Junior Achievement North received $5,000 to support its programming for St. Cloud area students.
- Paramount Center for the Arts received $5,000 to support its Your Life in Color 2024 program.
- St. Cloud Rotary Foundation, Inc received $10,000 for its Preschool 4 Success Access program.
- The Yes Network received $10,000 to support its after-school programming for Central MN youth.
If you would like to learn more about the Central Minnesota Community Foundation’s annual grant rounds visit: communitygiving.org/cmcfgrants.