West Central Initiative awarded $600,000 in grants to 72 organizations across the region, including CornerStone and FCDC in Frazee. This year marked both the largest number of organizations funded in West Central Initiative’s 40-year grantmaking history and the highest number of grant applications ever received.

Grants support organizations advancing civic engagement, environmental sustainability, social change, and cross-sector community initiatives across the region.

“We’re inspired by the work nonprofits and community-led groups are doing to strengthen communities and create positive change,” said West Central Initiative Grants Officer Amanda Quam. “The record number of applications highlights both the creativity of local organizations and the growing need for community investment across the region in the priority areas.”

• Becker County Food Pantry, Inc. for well water testing for food pantry clients in rural Becker County, and to provide education about water safety to ensure healthy drinking water is accessible and affordable.

• CornerStone for Empowering Leadership, a community-based initiative to expand civic engagement and strengthen local leadership among youth, parents, and community members.

• Frazee Community Development Corporation for implementing the Wannigan Park Climate Action Plan.

• Henning Public School District #545 for increasing public access to the library to expand equitable community access to knowledge, technology, and community connection.

• Lakes Area Yes Network for summer programming that improves both physical and mental health and social-emotional well-being for youth in and around White Earth Nation.

• League of Women Voters- Detroit Lakes Area for removing barriers to voting, countering voting and election misinformation, and providing programming on policy and local government processes to communities in Becker County and White Earth Nation. 

• Minnesota Chippewa Tribe – White Earth Band for hiring a Civic Engagement Coordinator to engage with community members, coordinate volunteer activities, promote public awareness campaigns, and foster community relationships.

• Minnesota Flyers Gymnastics Inc. for the Detroit Lakes High School Unified Physical Education class to attend FlyTime, which provides adaptive fitness opportunities for athletes with special needs, ensuring access to equitable physical fitness for all.

• Minnesotans for Consumer Financial Protection for expanding community listening sessions, issue education, civic engagement training, and advocacy coordination to west central Minnesota.

• New York Mills Regional Cultural Center for supporting the Cultural Center, a trusted rural hub for creativity, connection, and civic engagement.

• Pelican Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce for Community Conversations, a dynamic speaking event series designed to foster meaningful dialogue, strengthen civic understanding, and inspire collective action.

• Perham Health Elevate for Elevate’s Mobility Market, a rural equipment reuse and redistribution program that increases access to mobility and safety equipment while reducing environmental waste.

• Project 412 for HOTdish: Building Community One Plate at a Time, an event in Detroit Lakes that allows residents to pitch their community-building ideas and helps turn residents into community leaders.

• Special Olympics Minnesota for inclusive regional events in west central Minnesota.

• Springboard for the Arts for Artists Respond: Roots of Democracy to support artist-organizers in west central Minnesota to design and lead creative engagement projects that address urgent regional challenges related to civic participation, leadership, social justice, and community polarization.

• Sustainable Farming Association of Minnesota for a four-part seasonal chef dinner series through MANNA Food Co-op featuring local food and a variety of cultural culinary traditions.

• White Earth Land Recovery Project for the Aking izhe Miijim: Land is the Place of Food – Land Stewardship & Food Security project that educates community members on growing and preserving food, teaches Indigenous farming techniques, supports elders’ access to nutritious food, engages youth in language and cultural learning, and creates opportunities for the community to gather and practice traditional ways.

• YMCA of the Northern Sky for Youth in Government, a hands-on civic education program for youth in grades 8–12 in Otter Tail and Clay Counties.

Supporting Community Grant Opportunities

“As we see growth in the nonprofit field, we also see an increased need for support,” said Rebecca Lynn Petersen, Director of Development and Philanthropic Services at West Central Initiative. “Alone, we can only do so much. But together we can make great things happen. We encourage our local businesses, churches, and individuals to support our region’s nonprofit organizations. This private-public partnership helps create healthy, engaged communities.” 

Most of the grants were funded through the West Central Initiative Endowment. Several social change grants were supported by an anonymous donor committed to fostering a sense of belonging in rural communities. To support local and regional initiatives, visit wcif.org/donate.

The full list of grants awarded can be found here: www.wcif.org/news/