Shipman Memorial shed project among them

West Central Initiative (WCI) awarded more than $285,000 in Resilient Communities Grants to 26 organizations working to create a more sustainable and equitable region, including the shed project for CornerStone Youth and Community Center in Frazee that was contributed by the annual community outreach program of the Tyler Shipman Memorial Car Show. 

“Investing in programs and organizations that strengthen community resilience benefits our health, the economy, and the environment,” said West Central Initiative President Anna Wasescha. “We’re excited to see how these grantees’ work will send positive waves of change across our resilient region.” 

Seven community members known for their work in sustainable development and promoting racial equity participated in awarding the dollars. 

“Working alongside community members with lived and professional experience ensures a more informed and impactful grant round,” said Celeste Koppe, West Central Initiative’s Rural Initiatives Strategist. “I was impressed by the volunteers’ diligence, attention to detail, and thoughtful decision-making approaches throughout the process.”  

Promoting Sustainability

• West Central Initiative awarded more than $145,000 in grants to the organizations below that are working to create a more sustainable region.  

• First Congregational UCC Moorhead for the Youth Stewards Food & Ecology Initiative. 

• Doubting Thomas Farms for Meet Me at the Farm. 

• Friends of the Prairie Wetlands Learning Center for Climate-Wise Prairie Learning. 

• City of Moorhead Parks & Recreation for Get Fresh & Go Local. 

• City of Morris for a five-year update to the Morris Strategic Plan. 

• Otter Tail County Solid Waste to expand access to the Organics Recycling Program. 

• Springboard for the Arts for the mobile version of Sustainability Studios. 

• Ecumen Bethel Manor and Winona Shores Apartments for restoration and nature trail creation. 

• Clay County Public Health’s PartnerSHIP 4 Health for the Regional Food Council. 

• Henning Public School for the Climate Action Library. 

• Dilworth-Glyndon-Felton Elementary for the School Pollinator Garden. 

• Tyler Shipman Memorial Car Show for the Community Service Shed donation. 

• Glacial Hills Elementary for the Outdoor Learning Center. 

• PRAIRIE as fiscal sponsor of the New Roots Farm Incubator Cooperative for the New Roots Farm Incubator Cooperative. 

Promoting Racial Equity 

• West Central Initiative awarded more than $140,000 in grants to the organizations below that serve and/or are led by people who identify as Black, Indigenous, or people of color (BIPOC).  

• Inclusive Moorhead for Inclusive Moorhead Implementation. 

• YMCA of Cass and Clay Counties for Comfort & Confidence Swim Class. 

• Regional Native Public Defense Corporation for expanding Holistic Defense in White Earth Nation. 

• Conexiones for operating support. 

• Cultural Diversity Resources for organizational capacity-building for New Americans and Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) nonprofits and leaders. 

• The Bridge Community Pantry for culturally specific food bags. 

• Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota for the Northwest Immigration Project. 

• Bagosendaan for youth activities. 

• Someplace Safe for agency-wide diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts. 

• Pelican Rapids Multicultural Committee for the Pelican Rapids International Friendship Festival. 

• Browns Valley School District 801 for Tier 2 Mental Health Programming. 

• Bam’idizowigamig Creator’s Place for the Workforce Program. 

For a map of West Central Initiative grants, visit www.wcif.org/grants-impact.