Clip: St. Peter leadership program addressing underrepresentation
August 5, 2019
By Brian Arola, The Free Press With an eye on changing demographics, a leadership program launching in September aims to train St. Peter’s next generation of leaders. The Blandin Foundation chose St. Peter for a grant to fund the Leadership in Ethnically Diverse Communities program for 34 residents. Participants, about half being from underrepresented demographics, …
Op-ed: The time is now for courageous action
July 26, 2019
Blandin Foundation has been standing alongside and investing in rural Minnesota leaders and communities for 78 years. Over time, we have come to know this to be true: communities cannot be strong, healthy and vibrant unless they are working for, and safe for, all peoples. Is your community? Minnesota residents are facing changes and pressures …
Itasca-area communities selected for Blandin Foundation initiative
July 18, 2019
GRAND RAPIDS, Minn. – Blandin Foundation announced today that it has accepted applications from the communities of Bovey and Northome to participate in Growing Communities, an intensive, 18-month visioning and action planning initiative through University of Minnesota Extension. “These communities each have demonstrated high levels of engagement and a commitment to work across sectors and …
Blandin Foundation awards $3.7 million in grants, names trustees
June 28, 2019
GRAND RAPIDS, Minn. – Trustees of Blandin Foundation elected three new board members and approved 53 grants totaling $3,282,607 during their summer meeting on June 24 and 25 in Grand Rapids. Dr. Heidi Korstad, chair of the Foundation’s board of trustees, announced that three distinguished Minnesota residents emerged from a statewide search and will join …
Blandin Foundation anticipates leadership change in 2020
June 26, 2019
GRAND RAPIDS, Minn. (June 26, 2019)– Blandin Foundation President and CEO Kathy Annette informed the foundation’s trustees this week that she will retire in 2020 following a distinguished career in rural and Native community health and development. Dr. Annette has served as president and CEO for Blandin Foundation since 2011, following a distinguished and long …
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 …