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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 is a “by us, for us” approach serving children ages 0-5, helping reduce achievement gaps and providing essential wrap-around services for families.
  • Largest Cumulative Investment in Foundation History: In close collaboration with many local partners, the effort has led to improvements in kindergarten readiness, GPAs, graduation rates and inclusive family participation.
  • Sustainability Focus: The new grant supports long-term planning and sustainability for continued local impact and is closely aligned with the Blandin Foundation’s strategic focus on community wealth-building, small communities and building capacity.

Grand Rapids, Minn. – November 19,2024 – The Blandin Foundation has awarded a $2 million grant to the Invest Early program in Itasca County, capping a 20-year operating support commitment. Over the past two decades, this community-driven initiative has been instrumental in transforming early childhood education and support services across the Itasca region.

“Invest Early exemplifies Blandin Foundation’s commitment to building community wealth, fostering small community development, and strengthening the capacity of local systems to address critical challenges in rural areas,” said Kyle Erickson, Director of Rural Grantmaking for Blandin Foundation.

Invest Early, which serves children ages zero to five from low-income families, was developed with a “by us, for us” approach, driven by the community’s input. In a Blandin-supported process started in 1997, Itasca area residents recognized that lower-income parents often had to settle for inferior care and educational arrangements, and many of their children started kindergarten without the skills they needed to succeed. To increase the number of school-ready kindergarteners and address critical local needs, something had to change.

The first Invest Early programs were established across some of the area’s smallest communities in 2005. Since then, Invest Early has improved educational outcomes, helped narrow achievement gaps based on place, class, and race while easing economic barriers like cost and transportation for participating families. The program supports parents through wrap-around services such as transportation, meals, mental health support and home visits.

“The Invest Early initiative is a prime example of what happens when a community comes together to address its own challenges,” said Tuleah Palmer, President and CEO of Blandin Foundation. “This grant represents the culmination of a 20-year, grass roots effort that not only improved the lives of thousands of children but also strengthened regional collaboration and laid the groundwork for future investments.”

Significant Community Impact

The Blandin Foundation’s $37 million cumulative investment in Invest Early is the largest in the Foundation’s history. This community-wide effort has directly contributed to improved economic and social outcomes of the Itasca area by providing essential early childhood education and care — a cornerstone of community wealth. Invest Early children typically face more risk factors than their peers, yet they are consistently kindergarten-ready and see gains in high school GPA and graduation rates. Additional information and research outcomes are available.

Invest Early’s success has also been recognized by national institutions, including the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis, for its contribution to improving economic outcomes in rural Minnesota. Additionally, the initiative has strengthened collaboration among school districts and improved data-driven decision-making that continues to guide the program’s evolution.

Building a Sustainable Future

As Invest Early enters its 20th year of Blandin Foundation operating funding, the program’s leadership is focusing on sustainability. The $2 million grant will support refining the program’s business model, creating transparent budgeting processes and expanding resource development planning to ensure the program’s long-term impact in Itasca County and beyond.

Program Overview

This innovative early childhood collaborative serves young children from low-income households in four Itasca County school districts plus Floodwood, MN. With over 80 full-time and part-time educators and staff, the program supported more than 450 children in 2023-24. Key partners include Head Start programs run by KOOTASCA and the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe, Adult Basic Education, Itasca County’s Public Health and Human Services divisions and Minnesota North College – Itasca Campus.

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