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Resilient. Rural. Community.

Blandin Foundation is all about Minnesotans imagining, leading, and growing resourceful, inclusive communities.

Foundation News

The urgent need for affordable housing in rural communities

MPR’s Rural Voice series hosted a town hall discussion in Two Harbors about how to creatively solve the affordable housing bottleneck for rural communities.

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Blandin Foundation's CEO Tuleah Palmer on the Mainstreet Minnesota Podcast

Tuleah joins host Blois Olson along with Roy Smith (IRRB, MN North) and Steve Loney (Kiesler Wellness Center) to discuss mental health, housing and energy costs.

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Blandin Foundation Receives 2023 Nonprofit Mission Award for Responsive Philanthropy

Presented each year since 1987, the Nonprofit Mission Awards from the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits recognize and honor the contributions of Minnesota nonprofits that have made outstanding contributions to our state’s high quality of life.

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Greater MN Housing Fund tackles NE Minnesota housing crisis with 400+ housing units and Blandin Foundation support

$1 million grant to build regional capacity for more affordable housing signals the Foundation’s focus on housing as key infrastructure for local communities.

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In Grand Marais, an invitation to reflect and connect through postcards on the Letteracy Deck

MinnPost writes about a Blandin Foundation grantee.

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Minnesota North College on course to transform higher education in NE Minnesota

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Opinion: Minnesota's future: Urban and rural Minnesota need each other more than ever

Blandin Foundation CEO Tuleah Palmer calls on Minnesotans to better see each other and work together on energy transition

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Facing shrinking student enrollment, new Minnesota North College did a remarkable thing

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A New Strategic Direction

Aligning our resources toward a sustainable, equitable future for rural Minnesota.

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Opportunities

We meet communities where they’re at.

Itasca Area

Your partner in building healthy rural communities in the place we call home.

Courage through Change

Where do you imagine your community tomorrow?

Google map of Blandin Foundation grantees, leadership program particpants, and broadband work across Minnesota

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Blandin Foundation stands with communities as they design and claim their futures. That’s thousands of partnerships in hundreds of communities over more than 75 years.

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Greater MN Housing Fund tackles NE Minnesota housing crisis with 400+ housing units and Blandin Foundation support

September 22, 2023

$1 million grant to build regional capacity for more affordable housing signals the Foundation’s focus on housing as key infrastructure for local communities Key points: The $1 million grant will help Greater Minnesota Housing Fund launch a 3-year, 400-plus unit rural housing project in the Grand Rapids and Leech Lake areas The project will focus…

GroundWork Blog

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Taking a bite out of food insecurity

March 10, 2023

On a cold January night, bidding was hot at the Second Harvest Chef’s Gala. More than 300 Itasca area people – groups of families, friends and co-workers – pooled their money and gathered together for a fun-filled evening of bidding to have their meal cooked and served by local celebrity chefs and servers. At the…

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