Blandin Foundation Education Grants awarded to 325 local students
June 13, 2019
GRAND RAPIDS, Minn. – Blandin Foundation recently shared with 325 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 2019-20 is $992,100 to students from 11 area schools. “Students from our area schools …
Communities selected for Blandin Leadership Programs
June 12, 2019
Grand Rapids, Minn. – As part of its commitment to strengthening rural communities, Blandin Foundation has named communities where it is making available Blandin Leadership Program training in 2020. Blandin Community Leadership Program (BCLP) Residents of Battle Lake/Henning/Ottertail, Detroit Lakes, Fergus Falls, Fosston, Grand Rapids, Hutchinson, Owatonna and Two Harbors will participate in intense eight-day …
KAXE radio series on Itasca history, including Blandin Foundation
June 5, 2019
Today’s episode of KAXE radio’s long-running radio series Papermakers covers Mr. Blandin’s creation of the Blandin Foundation. The series, based on the book Papermakers: the Blandin Paper Company and Grand Rapids, Minnesota by local historian Don Boese, airs twice weekly.
Blandin Foundation Commissions Mural by Local Artist
May 31, 2019
GRAND RAPIDS, Minn. – A mural titled “Niibii,” the Ojibwe word for water, is being created for placement on Blandin Foundation’s building. Local artist Leah Yellowbird is leading the work. “Grand Rapids is a vibrant, thriving community,” said Kathy Annette, Blandin Foundation president and CEO. “Art brings this to life. Our founder Charles Blandin believed …
Lower Sioux, Mille Lacs, Prairie Island and Shakopee residents complete Blandin Reservation Community Leadership Program
May 14, 2019
Grand Rapids, Minn. (May 14, 2019) — Nineteen residents of the Lower Sioux, Mille Lacs, Prairie Island and Shakopee reservation communities completed a five-day leadership retreat May 10. 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 a follow-up …
Keynote: The power of community partnerships
May 6, 2019
Blandin Foundation CEO Kathy Annette keynote address to the 54th U.S. Public Health Service Scientific and Training Symposium, May 6, 2019. Thank you for your kind words, Rear Admiral Taylor. Distinguished guests. Welcome to Minnesota! Home of 10,000 lakes, 11 tribal nations, a strong educational system including University of Minnesota, Minnesota state system and …
Blackduck, Kelliher, Northome area residents complete Blandin Community Leadership Program retreat
April 23, 2019
Grand Rapids, Minn. (April 23, 2019) — Twenty-three residents of the Blackduck, Kelliher and Northome areas returned April 12 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 …
Aitkin area residents complete Blandin Community Leadership Program retreat
April 5, 2019
Grand Rapids, Minn. (April 4, 2019) — Twenty-four residents of the Aitkin area returned March 29 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 …
2019 Rural Pulse raises voices of Minnesotans
April 3, 2019
GRAND RAPIDS, Minn. (April 3, 2019) — Opinions and perceptions of Minnesotans are as varied as the landscape, according to the Rural Pulse 2019 survey of more than 1,560 residents just released by the Grand Rapids-based Blandin Foundation. Jobs that pay a living wage, access to affordable healthcare and childcare, and concerns about opioid and …
Five join Blandin Foundation Broadband Strategy Board
March 28, 2019
GRAND RAPIDS, Minn. – Five leaders working to advance broadband access and use in rural Minnesota communities have accepted invitations to join the Blandin Foundation Broadband Initiative Strategy Board. This board oversees and advises the Blandin Community Broadband Program (BCBP), a grantmaking and community capacity building program. Jim Weikum has been the executive director of …