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Blandin Foundation awards $1.7 million in grants, continues with broadband

GRAND RAPIDS, Minn. (April 3, 2012) – Key local initiatives were awarded grants  during the Blandin Foundation’s March 23 board meeting, according to Mike Johnson, chairman of the Foundation’s board of trustees. Arrowhead Economy Opportunity Agency (AEOA) will receive $350,000 over two years to continue the Adult Scholarship Program.  Through AEOA, scholarships are available for …

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Blandin Names Grants Director

  FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Blandin Foundation selects new director of grant-making   Grand Rapids, Minn.  (March 16, 2012)—Entrepreneur, active community leader and seasoned grant-making professional Sonja Merrild has been named director of grants for Blandin Foundation, announced foundation President and CEO Kathy Annette this week. “We know Sonja well through her work in the field …

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Education Awards applications now available

Blandin Foundation scholarships help put higher education within reach for area students GRAND RAPIDS, Minn. – Blandin Foundation’s applications for need-based scholarships are now available and are being accepted until May 1. Up to $1 million in Education Awards will be granted to Itasca County area students pursuing higher education during the 2012-2013 school year.  The …

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Blandin Foundation awards $3 million in grants to 29 local organizations

GRAND RAPIDS, Minn. – Education, economic development, youth engagement, and other work to strengthen the Itasca County area will receive support from Blandin Foundation, with the Foundation’s Board of Directors awarding $3.1 million in local grants at its quarterly board meeting in Grand Rapids on Monday.     Trustees also marked a transition in board leadership, …

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Governor Mark Dayton Names 15 to Task Force on Broadband

ST. PAUL, MN – One week after hosting a Job Summit focused on strengthening Minnesota’s infrastructure and fostering a strong business climate, Governor Mark Dayton appointed 15 members to a Governor’s Task Force on Broadband. The Task Force, which was established by Executive Order 11-27, will be charged with developing policies to promote the expansion …

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(c) John Connelly

Blandin Foundation announces nearly $2 million in education grants

GRAND RAPIDS, Minn. – Blandin Foundation trustees continued the organization’s long-standing support of Itasca County-area students in two recent grant awards. Trustees increased to $1 million funds for need-based scholarships for the 2012-13 school year.  “Blandin Foundation Education Awards help to fill funding gaps so that every local student has an opportunity to pursue education …

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DEED Commissioner joins Blandin Foundation Broadband Strategy Board

Grand Rapids, Minn. — Mark Phillips, commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) has accepted an invitation to join the Blandin Foundation Broadband Strategy Board. The 17-member Blandin Foundation Broadband Strategy Board, originally convened by the Foundation in 2003, serves as a forum for public- and private-sector perspectives on the sustainable …

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Long-time partner named Blandin Foundation CEO

Board selects rural Minnesota leader, former Blandin Foundation trustee and nationally recognized physician Dr. Kathleen Annette GRAND RAPIDS, Minnesota – Trustees of Blandin Foundation have selected Kathleen Annette, M.D.—a recognized local, regional and national leader with deep roots in northern Minnesota—as its new president and CEO. Dr. Annette is a lifelong resident of rural Minnesota …

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Photo courtesy Becky LaPlant, Blandin Foundation

Itasca area residents bring home lessons from Ohio schools

Blandin Foundation-hosted study tour looks at acclaimed student success project Grand Rapids, Minn. (July 5, 2011)— Hosted by Blandin Foundation, as part of its Student Success Initiative, a diverse team of 18 Itasca County area leaders has just completed a learning tour in Ohio. The Itasca area team met with key staff from the Strive …

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