Grand Rapids, Minn. —Entrepreneur, active community leader, and grant-making professional Sonja Merrild has joined Blandin Foundation as its director of grants. In this capacity, she leads the Foundation’s work to fund Minnesota organizations imagining, leading and growing healthy, vibrant, resilient rural communities. In 2012, Blandin Foundation will receive and process more than 600 applications for …
The Hope Business—Lessons learned through 25 years in community leadership Presentation by Kathy Annette, Blandin Foundation CEO, to annual meeting of Minnesota Business Women at Sawmill Inn in Grand Rapids on May 4, 2012 Hello, everyone! It’s great to have you all here with us in Grand Rapids today. Welcome! I’m especially excited to …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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, …
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 …
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 …
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 …