Libraries Without Borders US is gearing up for a new approach to bridging the digital divide: take technologies to the people of rural Minnesota. They’ve leveraged Blandin Foundation and other funds to create mobile, traveling libraries and labs so people in Nobles and Itasca counties can learn about high-speed internet equipment, and the kinds information …
GRAND RAPIDS, Minn. — Blandin Foundation has awarded $10.6 million in local grants over the past 15 months, including $1.9 million awarded this month. “Cascading dilemmas over the past year have illuminated the ingenuity, commitment, creativity, resourcefulness and drive that defines the beauty and uniqueness of rural places and people,” said Tuleah Palmer, president and …
The Education Grants application deadline has been extended to April 16. Itasca area students ages 18-25 are eligible. Details and links to application forms are on our Education Grants page. Learn how Riley Jensen’s grant propelled him to a high-stakes career.
GRAND RAPIDS, Minn. – Applications for Blandin Foundation’s education grants are available and being accepted until March 1. The grants provide $1,000 to $5,000 per student for the 2021-2022 school year. Students may reapply each year, until they are age 25 or have earned up to a bachelor’s degree. Grants are available to local students …
Looking for our grantmaking from the past year? Check out a couple new resources on our Grant Lists page: Itasca Area Grants 2020 – all grants made in the Itasca area, including COVID-19 grants. Plus great stories about local leaders who stepped up to answer the community’s call during COVID. Full 2020 Grants List – …
The Minneapolis Federal Reserve Bank blogpost breaks down the short-term and long-term effects of COVID on the Minnesota and Upper Midwest economies. Read the post, including perspective from Blandin Foundation CEO Tuleah Palmer on how COVID has added to child-care challenges for low-wage workers. For more on how Blandin Foundation is responding to community needs …
New profile extruder for polypropylene at Grand Rapids facility will create material for totes, trays and boxes Aided by recent grants from the Blandin Foundation, the Department of Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation, the Otto Bremer Trust and Enbridge, MDI announced that it is purchasing a polypropylene extruder that will be located at its Grand …
Construction of the new Mikinaak Park in Ball Club wrapped up earlier this fall. The 3-year project, sparked by young people’s vision for a park accessible for people of all abilities, brought the community together and transformed community space into a gathering place welcoming for all. Its name means “turtle” in Ojibwe, one of many …
Our annual broadband conference wraps up today. Thomas Friedman keynotes this morning, then get a glimpse of how your county’s broadband service stacks up to state goals, with a discussion of our annual broadband county profiles. Plus, you can catch up with the entire month’s conversations! Join the Conversation
Ask everyone you meet today if they’ve filled out their Census form. If they haven’t — or can’t remember — encourage them to go to www.2020census.gov or call 844-330-2020. See your community (including townships) response rate here. Each person missed in the Census count means Itasca County misses out on $2,796 — per person — …