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Lloyd K Johnson Foundation

Annual Giving
$1.2M
Grant Range
$1K - $0.1M
Decision Time
2mo

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $1,180,350 (2024)
  • Total Assets: ~$27.7 million
  • Grants Awarded: 69 grants (2024), 78 grants (2023)
  • Grant Range: $1,000 - $100,000
  • Small Grants: Up to $3,500 (rolling basis)
  • Quarterly Grants: Over $3,500 (four cycles annually)
  • Geographic Focus: Cook, Lake, and southern St. Louis Counties, MN (North Shore) and Grand Portage Nation
  • Decision Time: Small grants within 10 days; quarterly grants ~1-3 months

Contact Details

Address: 130 West Superior Street, Suite 710, Duluth, Minnesota 55802

Phone: 218.726.9000

Website: https://lkjf.org

Grant Program Officer: Erica Kirsch
Email: ekirsch@lkjf.org

Executive Director: Erik Torch
President/CEO: Stephen Surbaugh
Vice President: Lynn Goerdt

Overview

The Lloyd K. Johnson Foundation was established in 1975 by Lloyd K. Johnson, a Grand Marais native who built his wealth through law practice, real estate, and the successful Superwood Corporation. Following Johnson's death in 2006, the foundation formally established operations in 2007 under its first director, Joan Gardner-Goodno. Since then, the foundation has awarded over $18 million in grants and $1 million in scholarships. With assets of approximately $27.7 million, the foundation awarded 69 grants totaling $1,180,350 in 2024. The foundation's mission is to expand opportunities for people and communities on the North Shore of Lake Superior through intentional giving, commitment to place, and active community partnership. Education remains central to the foundation's work, honoring founder Lloyd K. Johnson's belief that education transforms lives. The foundation celebrates its 50th anniversary in 2025, coinciding with 100 years since Johnson's 1925 graduation from Cook County High School.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Quarterly Grants (over $3,500)

  • Application deadline windows: January 15, April 15, July 15, October 15
  • Inquiry windows close: December 10, March 10, June 10, September 10
  • Requires initial inquiry before invited to submit full proposal
  • Site visits conducted for invited applicants
  • Board makes final decisions based on staff recommendations

Small Grants ($3,500 or less)

  • Accepted year-round on rolling basis
  • Decision within 10 days
  • No site visit typically required
  • Reviewed by foundation staff

Grant Types Supported

  • General Operating: Unrestricted funding for mission fulfillment
  • Project/Program Support: Designated for specific initiatives
  • Capacity Building: Strengthening organizational skills and resources
  • Capital Support: Facility purchase, renovation, construction, or equipment

Priority Areas

Social Welfare: Supporting health and well-being of all community members; promoting healthy youth development

Arts & Culture: Creating and developing a vibrant arts community including visual, performing, and interdisciplinary arts (2024: 17 grants, $1,000-$25,000)

Education: Transforming lives through educational access and opportunities (2024: 10 grants, $3,500-$70,000). The foundation has distributed over $1 million in scholarship aid, serving 109 Cook County students since 2008 with scholarships covering tuition, books, and fees for up to five semesters.

Environment: Supporting environmental conservation and stewardship on the North Shore (2024: 7 grants, $2,500-$29,400)

Community & Economic Development: Building strong, resilient communities (2024: 9 grants, $3,000-$50,000)

What They Don't Fund

  • Election campaigns or lobbying activities
  • Direct religious purposes
  • Private foundations
  • Businesses
  • Individuals

Governance and Leadership

Core Values

  1. The Power of Place: Honoring local history and culture
  2. Education: Belief that education transforms lives
  3. Relationships: Active partnership with community
  4. Stewardship: Intentional resource allocation
  5. A Just and Equitable Region: Reducing barriers to opportunity

Leadership

Erik Torch, Executive Director (joined 2023): Torch has emphasized the foundation's educational mission, stating, "I think we've seen that this is really the thing that Lloyd stated he wanted to see happen with the wealth that he gave to the Foundation."

Stephen Surbaugh, President/CEO

Lynn Goerdt, Vice President

Erica Kirsch, Grant Program Officer (hired October 2023): A Cook County resident, educator, artist, and outdoor enthusiast who leads grantmaking efforts. Torch noted, "We are excited to add Erica to our team, her education experience will be an asset to the work of the foundation, and we are delighted to have a staff person based in Cook County, which is an important part of our service area."

Recent Board Appointments (July 2024)

  • Kirsten Cruikshank: Holds Masters in Social Work from University of Minnesota Duluth with background in community-based work with older adults and family caregivers
  • Doug Thompson: Three-year term
  • Ed Crawford: Three-year term

Former board members Susan Michels, Rick Smith, and Salaam Witherspoon completed their terms in 2024.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Step 1: Prepare

  • Complete the Applicant Readiness Tool on the foundation website
  • Ensure your organization meets eligibility requirements (501(c)(3) nonprofit, public entity like school district/local government, or organization with 501(c)(3) fiscal sponsor)
  • Verify service area (Cook, Lake, southern St. Louis Counties, or Grand Portage Nation)

Step 2: Initial Contact

  • Contact Grant Program Officer Erica Kirsch at ekirsch@lkjf.org
  • Submit brief inquiry including:
    • Organization name and location
    • Brief project description
    • Anticipated request amount

Step 3: Inquiry Submission (for grants over $3,500)

  • Submit inquiry by deadline: December 10, March 10, June 10, or September 10
  • Foundation reviews and invites selected applicants to submit full proposals
  • Notification of invitation sent no later than one month before application deadline

Step 4: Full Application (if invited)

  • Submit complete application by: January 15, April 15, July 15, or October 15
  • Foundation staff and Board member conduct site visit
  • Staff prepares written recommendation for Board of Directors
  • Board makes final funding decision

For Small Grants ($3,500 or less)

  • Submit application any time throughout the year
  • Staff review and decision within 10 days
  • No site visit typically required

Decision Timeline

  • Small Grants: Decision within 10 days of submission
  • Quarterly Grants:
    • Inquiry to invitation: Within one month of inquiry deadline
    • Full application to decision: Approximately 1-3 months (includes site visit, staff review, and board consideration)

Success Rates

The foundation is transparent that funding requests often exceed available funding, and they are unable to fund all inquiries even when they meet program guidelines. In 2024, the foundation made 69 awards, and in 2023 made 78 awards. Specific acceptance rates are not publicly disclosed.

Reapplication Policy

No specific reapplication policy is published. Organizations are encouraged to contact Grant Program Officer Erica Kirsch to discuss future opportunities if an initial application is unsuccessful.

Application Success Factors

Demonstrated Community Need

The foundation values deep understanding of local North Shore communities. With a Cook County-based program officer and commitment to "The Power of Place," applications should demonstrate intimate knowledge of local needs and culture.

Educational Impact

Given the founder's legacy and the foundation's stated belief that "education can transform lives," projects with educational components or outcomes are particularly valued. Executive Director Erik Torch emphasized this remains central to honoring Lloyd K. Johnson's wishes for the foundation.

Relationship Building

The foundation emphasizes "Relationships" as a core value and believes in "working with people to make this region and its future better for everyone." The required site visit for quarterly grants demonstrates their commitment to personal connection. Strong applications will show willingness to engage collaboratively.

Equity and Access

The foundation's vision states "every person has the opportunity to live, work, and flourish" and includes "A Just and Equitable Region" among core values. Applications should address how they reduce barriers to opportunity.

Geographic Alignment

Organizations must serve Cook, Lake, and southern St. Louis Counties or the Grand Portage Nation. The foundation has made intentional decisions about place-based giving and values projects deeply rooted in North Shore communities.

Diverse Grant Types Considered

The foundation funds general operating support, project/program support, capacity building, and capital grants—demonstrating flexibility in how they support organizational needs. Don't hesitate to request the type of funding that best serves your organization.

Recent Funding Examples (2024)

  • CHUM Shelter Expansion (Duluth): $100,000 for homeless shelter expansion
  • Cook County Higher Education: $70,000 for educational access
  • Cook County HRA: $50,000 for community services
  • Chester Bowl Improvement Club: $50,000 for community facility
  • WTIP Cook County Community Radio: $45,000 for community media
  • Nature Conservancy: $29,400 for North Shore reforestation
  • Armory Arts & Music Center (Duluth): Business plan development for renovated facility
  • Great Lakes Aquarium: $20,000 for arts and culture
  • Minnesota Ballet: $15,000 for performing arts
  • Duluth Salvation Army: $15,000 for social services

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Start with an inquiry conversation: Contact Erica Kirsch before applying to ensure alignment and understand current priorities. The foundation values relationship-building from the start.

  • Choose the right grant size: If requesting $3,500 or less, take advantage of the rolling small grants process for faster decisions (10 days vs. months).

  • Emphasize educational components: Given the founder's legacy and leadership's stated priorities, highlight how your project creates educational opportunities or transforms lives through learning.

  • Demonstrate place-based commitment: Show deep understanding of North Shore communities (Cook, Lake, southern St. Louis Counties, Grand Portage Nation) and local culture. This is a core value.

  • Consider diverse funding types: The foundation supports general operating, program, capacity building, and capital grants—request what you truly need rather than defaulting to project funding.

  • Prepare for relationship building: Expect a site visit for quarterly grants and view this as an opportunity to build lasting partnership, not just secure a single grant.

  • Address equity: Explicitly explain how your work reduces barriers to opportunity and contributes to a more just and equitable region—a stated core value.

References

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