Clip: Forward Fergus Falls hosts talks to reconnect, re-energize leaders
August 21, 2017
Members of the most recent Fergus Falls area leadership cohort and other Fergus Falls BCLP alumni and leaders who make up the Forward Fergus Falls initiative have called a series of community meetings to identify community assets and resources to move forward on the community’s self-identified Destiny Drivers. Learn more from the Fergus Falls Journal.
Blandin Foundation awards $4.4 million in grants
June 30, 2017
GRAND RAPIDS, Minn. – During their recent summer meeting, Blandin Foundation trustees awarded grants that strengthen rural Minnesota communities, including 23 grants totaling $3.1 million to continue efforts of Grand Rapids and Itasca County area leaders. Invest Early serves at-risk children ages 0-5 across four local school districts, eight towns and 26 classrooms. Continued funding … Continued
Clip: Bovey-Coleraine leaders spark community pride
June 29, 2017
Members of the spring 2017 Bovey-Coleraine BCLP cohort are taking action to give their community’s main street a boost. This simple act has sparked a swell of support for their project — and strengthened ties among residents, businesses and more. Get the full story from the Grand Rapids Herald-Review.
Ten communities selected for Blandin Leadership Programs
June 20, 2017
Grand Rapids, Minn. (June 20, 2017) – As part of its commitment to strengthening rural communities, Blandin Foundation has named 10 communities where it is making available Blandin Leadership Program training in 2018. Blandin Community Leadership Program (BCLP) Residents of Albert Lea, Alexandria, Benson/KMS (Kerkohoven, Murdoch, Sunberg), Dawson-Madison, Chisago Lakes area, East Range area (Aurora, … Continued
Blandin Foundation Education Grants awarded to 365 local students
June 6, 2017
GRAND RAPIDS, Minn. – Blandin Foundation recently shared with 365 Itasca area students that they have been awarded grants of up to $4,500 for their education after high school, putting higher education better within financial reach. The total amount awarded for 2017-18 is $1,025,100 to students from 11 area schools. “Students from our area schools … Continued
Clip: Need for better broadband in rural Minnesota outstrips resources available to provide it
June 3, 2017
Snapshot of rural broadband as a federal funding priority, illustrated by user experiences in Aitkin County, Minnesota. Star-Tribune – June 3, 2017 Read the article
Leech Lake, Red Lake, White Earth residents complete Blandin Reservation Community Leadership Program
June 1, 2017
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Grand Rapids, Minn. (June 1, 2017) — Twenty-two residents of the Leech Lake, Red Lake and White Earth reservation communities completed a five-day leadership retreat May 12. This was the first segment of an intense seven-day training provided by the Blandin Reservation Community Leadership Program (BRCLP). The team also will participate in … Continued
Bovey Coleraine area residents complete Blandin Community Leadership Program retreat
April 13, 2017
Grand Rapids, Minn. — Twenty-three residents of the Bovey Coleraine area returned April 7 from a five-day leadership retreat, the first segment of an intense eight-day training provided by the Blandin Community Leadership Program (BCLP). The team also will participate in three follow-up workshops. A program of the Grand Rapids-based Blandin Foundation, BCLP has provided … Continued
Park Rapids area residents complete Blandin Community Leadership Program retreat
April 4, 2017
Grand Rapids, Minn. — Twenty-four residents of the Park Rapids area returned March 31 from a five-day leadership retreat, the first segment of an intense eight-day training provided by the Blandin Community Leadership Program (BCLP). The team also will participate in three follow-up workshops. A program of the Grand Rapids-based Blandin Foundation, BCLP has … Continued
Blandin Foundation awards $1.9 million in grants
March 31, 2017
GRAND RAPIDS, Minn. – During their recent spring meeting, Blandin Foundation trustees awarded grants that strengthen rural Minnesota communities, including 26 grants totaling $1.2 million for a range of efforts of Grand Rapids and Itasca County area leaders. “Communities that reach their fullest potential are those that work for all residents,” said Dr. Kathleen Annette, … Continued