Blandin Foundation

The foundation supports the active engagement of communities to ensure their telecommunications and technology vitality. The program supports work that increases: 1) Awareness about the value of broadband; 2) Business and residential use of broadband in rural communities; 3) Public and private investment in rural broadband capacity. Grant award amounts range from $10,000 to $50,000 depending on program. Application deadlines are usually in April and June.

The program is designed to bring Blandin Community Leadership Program (BCLP) and Blandin Reservation Community Leadership Program (BRCLP) alumni back together as community cohorts to broaden and strengthen relationships, deepen conversations and share in a learning process with Blandin Leadership Program alumni from around Minnesota. Contact Becky Adams: [email protected], tel.: (218)-327-8736 or toll free (877)-882-2257

Since 2001, the program has provided leadership training to more than 500 leaders in 11 Minnesota Indian Reservations.The program is a residential retreat that follows a model similar to the foundation's Blandin Community Leadership Program (BCLP), but with culturally specific topics and training. Alumni of the program nominate individuals they believe have leadership gifts and the desire to give back to their community.Thirty-six (36) applicants are selected for each cohort; preferably 18 females and 18 males with half between the ages of 18-35 and the other half over age 35

The scholarships are available for full-time and part-time study for lower-income individuals who have a commitment to remain in the Itasca County area. Students who plan to attend Itasca Community College (ICC) apply there directly. Students who plan to attend an institution other than ICC apply to Arrowhead Economic Opportunity Agency

The foundation matches the monetary contributions of its employees, trustees, and trustee emeriti to charitable organizations

The program is designed for community members of all income levels, who are engaged in their community and who are passionate and committed to ending poverty.The program currently consists of seven leadership capacity building sessions spread out over a year with community events planned by program participants in your own community.The foundation covers the cost of the program (tuition, meals, and training materials.) The cost to participants is their time and travel to and from the sessions. If attendance at the program creates a financial hardship, enabling funds are available through the Grand Rapids Area Community Foundation.Contact Becky Adams: [email protected], tel.: (218)-327-8736 or toll free (877)-882-2257

Needs-based funding available to both traditional (under 25) and adult students. Contact Itasca Community College directly.

Since 1985, the program has provided experiential leadership training for over 6,500 community leaders from 400 rural Minnesota communities. The program is designed to develop and sustain healthy community by building on community strengths. It is centered on three core competencies: 1) Framing: Engaging others to identify, choose, and define issues affecting community health; 2) Social Capital: Building a network of relationships for getting things done for a healthy community; 3) Mobilizing: Engaging enough people and resources to get the job done. The program provides eight days of training in a retreat environment at Sugar Lake Lodge in Grand Rapids, MN..

The program develops the leadership capacity of all community members in ethnically diverse communities for the purpose of building intentional inclusion. The program is four sessions spread out over two months. The first session is a two day event, and the remaining three sessions are one day.The foundation covers the cost of tuition, meals and training. The cost to participants is their travel to and from each session. If attendance at the program creates financial hardship, enabling funds are available.Contact Becky Adams: [email protected], tel.: (218)-327-8736 or toll free (877)-882-2257

The foundation awards student grants of $1,000 to $4,000 each year. They are for every student (homeschooled, too) of high schools in the Itasca County area, even if the student is not in the top of his/her class. Applicants must be under age 25 and plan to go to community college, certificate programs, colleges or universities anywhere in the United States. Deadline is May 1.

Scholarships for undergraduate and vocational study to recent graduates of high schools in Itasca County, MN. Candidates must be under the age of 25 as of Sept. 1 of the effective school year