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Blandin Foundation Awards $2 Million to Support Invest Early’s Long-Term Impact on Local Families

Strong regional collaboration and largest cumulative investment in Foundation history of $37M has improved early childhood, education and social outcomes in Itasca County area Key Points: $2 Million Grant: The Blandin Foundation awarded a $2 million grant to Invest Early, completing a 20-year funding commitment to a nationally recognized, community-driven partnership. Community-Centered Impact: Invest Early …

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Blandin Foundation Expands Essential Dental Services to Underserved Residents and Families Across Rural MN

Unique $500,000 Capital Grant to Northern Dental Access Center in Park Rapids Expands Nationally Recognized Model Key points: $500,000 grant enables Northern Dental Access Center to acquire and expand the Park Rapids Community Dental Clinic, serve new patients and improve access to essential dental and health care in rural Minnesota. Addresses critical needs with a …

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Blandin Foundation Names Kyle Erickson Director of Rural Grantmaking

Key points: Following a 10-year tenure as a grants officer with Blandin Foundation, Kyle Erickson was named Blandin Foundation director of rural grantmaking. As a grants officer, Erickson oversaw a multi-million-dollar grant portfolio addressing some of rural Minnesota’s most pressing needs, including affordable housing, support for first-generation college students, and expansion of legal services for …

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North Star Promise is an assist for attending college, but navigate carefully

The program is a step in the right direction but comes with some implications. Last year, Minnesota enacted legislation to help defray the costs of higher education, called the North Star Promise. The program is designed to create a tuition- and fee-free pathway to higher education for families with household incomes below $80,000. But many …

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Blandin Foundation grant to CommunityGiving helps rural MN create community-driven development strategies and tap millions in future wealth transfer

$500,000 grant aims to transform rural development by strengthening community foundations Key points: A $500K, three-year grant from the Blandin Foundation to CommunityGiving will help 10-12 small rural community foundations create powerful local development strategies through coaching cohorts, matching grants and an annual regional conference.  The grant supported the commissioning of a new study showing …

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Kootasca Community Action Building Resilience with $400,000 Blandin Foundation Grant

Funding will help fight poverty and build community through long-term planning, program evaluation and organizational development. Key Points:
 KOOTASCA supports vital community needs, including affordable housing, early childhood education, community engagement and poverty reduction.  The combined service area of Itasca and Koochiching counties experiences higher rates of poverty and food insecurity and lower median household …

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Letter From the President

Steady and strong toward the horizon I grabbed my phone the other day, talked with one of my kids, checked texts and emails, and looked up the route to my next meeting. It struck me how deeply my phone has changed my life. It also got me to thinking – maybe it has you, too …

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Blandin Foundation CEO Included in 2024 TCB 100

Twin Cities Business released their annual shortlist of influencers, thought leaders and key players likely to be making news or driving change in the year ahead. Tuleah Palmer was included among CEOs, founders, government officials and innovators from across the state. Read More at TCBMag.com

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