Grand Rapids, Minn. (February 15, 2018) — Twenty-four residents of the Benson, Kerkhoven, Murdock and Sunburg (KMS) areas returned February 2 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, Minn. (February 9, 2018) –Blandin Foundation’s applications for need-based education grants are available and being accepted until March 1. Up to $1 million will be granted to Itasca County area students pursuing school after high school during the 2018-2019 school year. Grants are available to local students who will or have graduated from …
Engaged. Networked. Passionate. Just three of many ways to describe rural Minnesota community leaders. We recently sat down with three leaders from Redwood Falls to find out what fuels their work. We think the insights from Brianna and Anne, and from Cindy, will renew your spark for making a difference in your community. And you …
GRAND RAPIDS, Minn. (Dec. 21, 2017) – During their winter meeting Dec. 14 and 15, Blandin Foundation trustees approved grants that strengthen rural Minnesota communities, including 50 grants totaling $2.6 million for a range of efforts of Grand Rapids and Itasca County area leaders. Given heightened attention to the local economy and jobs, several ongoing …
Grand Rapids, Minn. (December 20, 2017) — More than 20 Long Prairie area residents took steps this fall to move the community toward being a place that works for all residents. Leadership in Ethnically Diverse Communities (LEDC) develops the capacity of all community members in ethnically diverse communities to build inclusion. A program of Grand …
A MinnPost project focused on new immigrants’ challenges and successes in the places they call home across Greater Minnesota. The series is funded by Blandin Foundation, Marbrook Foundation, SolidarityMN, Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation, Southwest Initiative Foundation and West Central Initiative Foundation.
Grand Rapids, Minn. (November 15, 2017) — Twenty-six residents of the Lower Sioux, Mille Lacs, Prairie Island, Shakopee, and Upper Sioux Area reservation communities completed a five-day leadership retreat November 3. 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 …
GRAND RAPIDS, MINN. (Nov. 7, 2017) – Daniel Lemm will join the Blandin Foundation senior leadership team as Director of Finance beginning Nov. 13. In this role, Lemm will be responsible for Blandin Foundation’s overall financial management. “Blandin Foundation has a strong history of excellent financial management, and we welcome Daniel to Grand Rapids and …
BRAINERD, Minn. (Oct. 31, 2017) – “The number-one threat to community and economic development in the 21st Century is the digital divide,“ said technology researcher and development expert Roberto Gallardo last week at the Border to Border Broadband Conference, co-hosted by Blandin Foundation and the Minnesota Office of Broadband Development. “Rural communities can take a …
Blandin Foundation commissioned Ann Treacy of Treacy Information Services and Bill Coleman of Community Technology Advisors to look at five counties well served with broadband – Beltrami County, Crow Wing County, Goodhue County, Lake County, and Sibley County. The purpose of these case studies is to determine the value of that broadband based on impact …