Battle Lake, Henning and Ottertail area residents complete Blandin Community Leadership Program retreat
April 3, 2020
Grand Rapids, Minn. — Twenty-four residents of the Battle Lake, Henning and Ottertail area returned March 13 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, …
Blandin Foundation names Bahr director of leadership
March 30, 2020
GRAND RAPIDS, Minn. – Dr. Malissa Bahr has been selected by Blandin Foundation as its Director of Leadership, effective immediately, following the retirement of Dr. Valerie Shangreaux. A resident of Grand Rapids, Minn., Dr. Bahr has been part of the Foundation’s community leadership training team for the past 20 years, most recently as its senior …
Blandin Foundation repurposes $1 million in investments to build new loan funds for Itasca area small businesses
March 27, 2020
GRAND RAPIDS, Minn. (March 27, 2020) – At a special meeting of Blandin Foundation’s board executive committee, trustees voted to quickly establish two $500,000 funds to support Itasca County area small businesses, one for working capital and one a relief fund. “Small businesses are at the cornerstone of vibrant communities,” said Dr. Kathleen Annette, Blandin …
MN Disaster Recovery Fund accepting applications
March 25, 2020
Foundations across the state have formed a new coronavirus disaster recovery fund to support community needs across Minnesota. Rural organizations are eligible to apply. How to apply
Five communities selected for Blandin Foundation Broadband Communities Program
March 11, 2020
Blandin Foundation announced today that it has selected five rural Minnesota communities for intensive, two-year partnerships with the Foundation to advance local broadband initiatives. Otter Tail County, Chisago Lakes, Le Sueur County, Red Lake Nation, and White Earth Nation were all successful in their bids to become Blandin Broadband Communities (BBC). “High-speed Internet access – …
Blandin Foundation welcomes three new trustees
March 4, 2020
GRAND RAPIDS, Minn. (Mar. 3, 2020) – Three Minnesotans have joined Blandin Foundation’s board of trustees, filling positions of three who completed terms of service in December. Blandin Foundation’s 12-member board are Minnesota-based community leaders who provide strategic leadership and governance, fiduciary and financial oversight for the foundation. They serve up to 12 years and …
Hutchinson area residents complete Blandin Community Leadership Program retreat
March 3, 2020
Grand Rapids, Minn. — Twenty-five residents of the Hutchinson area returned February 28 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 experiential …
Clip: Diversity enriches Austin
February 26, 2020
Austin, Minn., has welcomed immigrants for more than three decades. The Star-Tribune chronicles this rural Minnesota community’s transformation, and the the intentional work done there to move the community toward being a place that works for each resident. Here’s the story: http://www.startribune.com/minnesota-s-austin-high-school-has-a-melting-pot-athletics-program/567798502/ Here’s a summary of Blandin Foundation’s work in Austin: https://blandinfoundation.org/partner-directory/partners/?zip=55912&radius=10&list=1
GreatFoundations survey: Blandin Foundation makes top 10
February 21, 2020
GrantAdvisor, a national grantmaker review site, announced that Blandin Foundation has made the GreatFoundations Top 10 list. Visit their blogpost for more about the ranking. Current and past grantees can post anonymous GrantAdvisor review on our profile: https://grantadvisor.org/profile.php?ein=41-6038619
Fosston area residents complete Blandin Community Leadership Program retreat
February 20, 2020
Grand Rapids, Minn. — Twenty-four residents of the Fosston area returned February 14 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 experiential …