Resilient. Rural. Community.
Blandin Foundation is all about Minnesotans imagining, leading, and growing resourceful, inclusive communities.
For full information about us and our programs, visit our website:
blandinfoundation.org
Grand Rapids Giving Area
Blandin Foundation has a perpetual and primary responsibility to the Grand Rapids area. Charles Blandin, founder of the Blandin Foundation, owned the Grand-Rapids based Blandin Paper Company in the early 20th Century.
While no longer legally connected in any way with the paper company, Itasca County communities continue
to be the focus of the majority of the Foundation’s resources, supporting
a wide spectrum of partners and initiatives focused on the vibrancy of these communities and the
organizations strengthening them.
Foundation News
Leech Lake Financial Services helps build credit scores and builds houses to buy
Star Tribune’s Evan Ramstad writes about an innovative approach to add much needed housing for members of the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe and other local residents.
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Keep the History, Boost the Accessibility
A grant from Blandin Foundation helps make the Two Harbors Public Library available to all.
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Blandin Foundation Invests in Building Community Wealth and Local Journalism to Strengthen the Itasca Area and Rural MN
$2.2 million in new investments fuel rural information access, community capacity and long-term financial resilience.
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Itasca Area Grant Opportunity Opens Jan 2
NOTE: Applications are now closed.
Grant Program and Application Information
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Open Position: Accounting Associate
We’re hiring! Join our team as an Accounting Associate and make an impact at our organization.
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In The News: Itasca Life Options
Star-Tribune’s Evan Ramstad features ILO’s approach to supportive day services that builds community and economy.
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Blandin Foundation Supports Long-Term Storm Recovery in Northern Minnesota with $100,000 Grant
Recovery efforts will focus on regional coordination, community-driven rebuilding and ensuring vulnerable residents aren’t left behind.
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Blandin Foundation Awards Scholarships to 380 Local Students
The total amount awarded for the 2025-26 school year is $1.7 million to students from 11 Itasca-area schools or to students who attend school from home or online.
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Blandin Foundation Invests More Than $10 Million to Strengthen the Itasca Area
Blandin Foundation awarded $10.2 million to 48 organizations across Itasca County and rural northern Minnesota.
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Free Range Food Co-op Closer to Becoming Reality with Blandin Foundation Grant
“This grant supports a model of economic development that puts ownership and opportunity into the hands of the community,” said Kyle Erickson, Director of Rural Grantmaking. “This is community wealth building in action.”
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