Northwest Minnesota Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: Approximately $4 million+ in mission-driven grants (FY2024)
• Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
• Decision Time: Up to 60 days from receipt of full application
• Grant Range: $1,000 - $50,000 (varies by program)
• Geographic Focus: Northwest Minnesota - 12 counties plus three tribal nations

Contact Details

• Website: nwmf.org
• Phone: 218-759-2057
• Address: 201 3rd St NW, Bemidji, MN 56601
• Grants Page: nwmf.org/grants-scholarships/grants/

Overview

The Northwest Minnesota Foundation (NMF) was established in 1986 as one of six Minnesota Initiative Foundations created by the McKnight Foundation to assist Minnesota's rural regions during the farm crisis. It is a public charitable community foundation serving 12 northwestern Minnesota counties (Beltrami, Clearwater, Hubbard, Kittson, Lake of the Woods, Mahnomen, Marshall, Norman, Pennington, Polk, Red Lake, and Roseau) and three tribal nations (Red Lake Nation, White Earth Nation, and Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe).

With total assets exceeding $103 million and management of over 450 local funds, NMF operates as a force for regional development through grants, loans, scholarships, and business consulting. Its mission is to "invest resources, facilitate collaboration, and promote philanthropy to make the region a better place to live and work." In FY2024, NMF distributed 138 mission-driven grants totaling more than $4 million. Strategic priorities include ending homelessness, expanding child care, strengthening housing, supporting entrepreneurship, and cultivating welcoming communities for immigrants and refugees.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

• Building Better Lives Grants: NMF's flagship discretionary grant program for nonprofits and public agencies. Fixed annual deadline (December 1). Focuses on strengthening families, health and wellness, welcoming communities, economic mobility, and nonprofit capacity-building.
• Good Neighbor Grants: $5,000 one-time awards for urgent community needs (food insecurity, heating assistance, basic necessities). Rolling basis, one application per organization.
• Welcoming Communities Grants: $2,500 - $10,000 for inclusion initiatives prioritizing immigrants and refugees. Annual deadline (March 10).
• Racial Equity Accountability Grants: $2,000 - $7,500 for DEI initiatives within homeless response system. Rolling basis.
• Training and Education Fund: Up to $2,500 for nonprofit capacity building. Rolling basis.
• Child Care Services Grants: Up to $1,000 for family providers, $2,500 for centers. Annual window: September 1-25.
• PROMISE Act Grants: Up to $50,000 for small businesses and nonprofits with <$750,000 revenue. Subject to state funding availability.
• Community Fund Grants: Various local funds with specific geographic or thematic focus.

Priority Areas

• Children and families / child care workforce development
• Mental health and physical wellness
• Homelessness prevention (emphasis on Indigenous youth)
• Affordable and workforce housing
• Small business and entrepreneurship
• Welcoming immigrants and refugees
• Nonprofit capacity building
• Racial equity and anti-discrimination

What They Don't Fund

• Political activities
• Religious propagation
• Discriminatory practices
• Past operating debts
• Legal fees (most programs)
• Fundraising studies
• Building construction/capital campaigns
• One-time events (discouraged)
• Organizations outside service area

Governance and Leadership

President & CEO: Karen White (since 2019, previously VP for Programs)

Board Chair: Jason Carlson (McIntosh)

Senior Leadership:

• Bethany Wesley, Senior VP of Advancement
• Shannon Jesme, Senior VP of Finance and Administration

Program Contact: Kristin Anderson, Thriving Together Program Officer (welcoming/inclusion grants)

Notable quotes:

• Karen White: "With our being rooted in community, our connections in community, we are able to really get the word out."
• Kristin Anderson: "The people behind these initiatives are leading vital work exposing needs and opportunities to bring diverse groups together."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

NMF uses an online application portal for all programs. Process:

1. Review open grants at nwmf.org/grants-scholarships/grants/
2. Submit Intent to Apply form for pre-screening
3. Receive invitation for full application (within 30 days)
4. Submit full application via web portal (within 90 days of invitation)
5. Await review and decision

Decision Timeline

• Typically within 60 days of receiving full application
• 60-90 days total from Intent to Apply to final decision

Success Rates

Not publicly disclosed. FY2024: 138 grants made; FY2023: 88 awards totaling $3.5M.

Reapplication Policy

No formal waiting period documented. Contact NMF staff for guidance after unsuccessful applications.

Application Success Factors

Based on NMF's documented preferences:

1. Clear mission alignment: Demonstrate fit with NMF's mission and specific program criteria
2. Community voice and consensus: Show broad community backing and "speaking with one voice"
3. Multiple partners: Cross-sector collaboration involving nonprofits, government, businesses, faith communities, tribal nations
4. Equity and inclusion focus: Incorporate underrepresented voices, address service gaps
5. Diverse funding sources: Leverage grants with loans, fundraising, community support
6. Systemic solutions: Address complex problems, not one-time events
7. Indigenous engagement: Meaningful engagement with tribal communities given service area demographics
8. Clear budget: Exclude ineligible expenses explicitly
9. Early staff engagement: Contact program staff before submitting Intent to Apply

Recent funded examples: LifeCare Medical Center (Roseau), youth housing initiatives, child care expansions, vocational training, youth mental health conferences.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Geographic restriction is absolute: Must serve NMF's 12 counties or three tribal nations
• Multiple entry points: 450+ funds beyond mission-driven grants - explore full family of funds
• Start with Intent to Apply: Pre-screening step is essential before full application
• Contact staff proactively: Kristin Anderson and other officers are approachable
• Community consensus is decisive: Document coalition support, multi-organizational collaboration
• Small grants are accessible entry points: Training Fund ($2,500) and Child Care grants operate on rolling basis
• Welcoming/equity are strategic priorities: Organizations serving immigrants/refugees well-positioned

References

1. Northwest Minnesota Foundation official website - nwmf.org (accessed February 2026)
2. NMF Grants page - nwmf.org/grants-scholarships/grants/
3. NMF FY2024 Impact Report - issuu.com/nmfcommunications
4. ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - EIN 41-1556013
5. NMF press releases on welcoming grants, PROMISE Act funding, quarterly impact
6. Local media coverage: Bemidji Pioneer, InForum, KAXE, Red Lake Nation News
7. Candid/Foundation Directory Online profile
8. CauseIQ foundation profile